How to Plan a Website for a Small Business: A Practical 2025 Guide

Jordan Blake
May 26
2 min read

Planning a website can feel overwhelming—especially if you're a small business owner trying to get everything right from the start. But the truth is, the more time you invest in planning, the smoother your launch (and future growth) will be. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to plan a website for a small business in 2025—step-by-step.

How to Plan a Website for a Small Business: Start with logic🎯

Before you pick a platform or hire a designer, ask:

What is the main goal of your site? (Sales, bookings, leads, portfolio, etc.)
Who is your target audience?
What action do you want visitors to take? (Call, buy, subscribe)

Tip: Keep your goal specific. “Get more customers” is too broad. “Generate 20 leads per month from service pages” is actionable.

2. Research Your Competitors 🔍

Look at what others in your industry are doing.

What features do their websites have?
What kind of content do they use?
How do they guide users to take action?

Tools like Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, or a simple Google search can help you spot trends and gaps you can capitalize on.

3. Plan Your Website Structure 🧱

Think of your website like a house—it needs a strong foundation. Here’s a simple page structure for most small business websites:

Home
About Us
Services or Products
Testimonials/Reviews
Contact
Optional: Blog, FAQ, Portfolio, Pricing, Case Studies

Use a sitemap tool or whiteboard to sketch out your page layout.

4. Create a Content Strategy ✍️

Content drives traffic and sales. Focus on:

Clear headlines that speak to customer pain points
SEO-optimized copy (use keywords naturally)
High-quality images (real photos beat stock)
Strong calls to action (CTAs) like "Book Now" or "Get a Quote"

Pro tip: Start writing content before design starts—it keeps the project moving faster.

5. Choose the Right Website Platform ⚙️

Depending on your needs and budget:

WordPress – Best for flexibility and scalability
Shopify – Ideal for e-commerce
Squarespace/Wix – Great for simple service-based sites
Webflow – For custom design with less code

Pick a platform that fits your long-term vision—not just the easiest one to start.

6. Decide Who Will Build It 👷

You have three main options:

DIY using website builders
Freelancer for budget-friendly custom work
Agency for a full-service, hands-off experience

Compare portfolios, read reviews, and ask the right questions before hiring.

7. Prepare for Launch 🚀

Have these ready before going live:

Domain name + hosting
Google Analytics & Search Console setup
Mobile and speed testing
Basic SEO (title tags, meta descriptions, alt text)

Don't forget to promote your new site across email and social media once it’s live!

Conclusion

Planning your website the right way saves time, money, and headaches later on. By defining your goals, organizing your content, and choosing the right platform and team, you set your small business up for long-term success online.