Thinking about a new website for your small business? Before anyone writes a line of code or picks out a single photo, there's some work to do.
The businesses that end up with websites they're actually proud of - the ones that bring in calls, estimates, and new customers instead of just sitting there, almost always have one thing in common.
They showed up prepared.
Here's a checklist of the key pieces of information you'll want to gather before getting started. You don't need all of it on day one, but the more you have ready, the smoother (and faster) the whole process goes.
The 12 Things You'll Want to Have Ready
- 01
Business Name & Logo
You'll need your business name and logo, which will be used throughout your website. If you don't have a logo yet, or yours could use a refresh, that's worth sorting out first so everything else can be built around it.
- 02
Business Description
Write a brief description of your business that outlines what you do, your unique selling proposition, and your target audience. A sentence or two about who you serve and what makes you different goes a long way.
- 03
Contact Information
Provide your contact information, including your address, phone number, and email address. Consider including a contact form so visitors can reach you without having to pick up the phone.
- 04
Products or Services
Create a list of the products or services you offer and provide a brief description of each. If possible, include photos or videos to showcase your offerings — real photos of your work beat stock images every time.
- 05
Pricing
If applicable, include pricing information for your products or services. You can list your prices directly on your website or provide a call-to-action for visitors to contact you for a quote.
- 06
Testimonials
Gather customer testimonials and include them on your website to build trust and credibility with potential customers. Your Google reviews are a great place to start pulling these from.
- 07
About Us
Provide a brief overview of your business history, team members, and company culture. People like to know who they're hiring — a little personality here helps you stand out from the competition.
- 08
Call-to-Action
Include clear calls-to-action throughout your website, such as "Buy Now," "Learn More," or "Contact Us." Every page should make it obvious what you want the visitor to do next.
- 09
SEO Keywords
Research and include relevant SEO keywords throughout your website to help your website rank higher in search engine results. Think about the services and locations your customers actually search for.
- 10
Social Media Links
Include links to your social media accounts to encourage visitors to follow you and engage with your brand. Even if you only post occasionally, it shows your business is active and reachable.
- 11
Blog
Consider including a blog on your website to regularly publish relevant and informative content to attract visitors and establish your business as an industry authority.
- 12
Website Analytics
Install website analytics software, such as Google Analytics, to track your website's performance and make data-driven decisions to improve it over time. You can't fix what you aren't measuring.
By gathering and providing this information, you'll be well on your way to creating a website that effectively represents your small business and attracts new customers.
And the good news? You don't have to figure it all out on your own.