Small business website checklist
Build a small business website checklist that actually gets your site live
Doing The Online Thing walks beginners through the small business website checklist, platform choices, and copy decisions that get a credible site published, without the jargon or the upsell.
Website Planning
See all →Map out pages, goals, and a launch plan before you touch a single template.
Small Business Website Checklist: What Every Page Needs
The pages, contact details, and trust signals your site needs before launch.
Read more →How Many Pages Does a Small Business Site Actually Need
Most businesses need fewer pages than they think. Here's a simple starting count.
Read more →Website Planning Templates You Can Copy This Week
A one-page outline to plan your site before you open a builder.
Read more →Website Platforms
See all →Compare builders honestly, including what each one is bad at.
Squarespace vs WordPress for a Service Business
Where each platform is strong, and where it slows you down.
Read more →What a Website Builder Won't Tell You Up Front
Storage limits, plugin costs, and export headaches to check before you commit.
Read more →Switching Website Platforms Without Losing Your SEO
A practical order of operations for a safe migration.
Read more →Domain Names and Hosting
See all →Buy the right domain, pick hosting that fits your traffic, and skip the upsells.
Choosing a Domain Name That Still Works in 5 Years
Naming rules that hold up as your business grows.
Read more →Shared Hosting vs Managed Hosting: What's Worth Paying For
When the cheaper plan is fine, and when it isn't.
Read more →Domain Renewal Traps That Catch New Business Owners
The auto-renew and privacy add-on fees to watch for.
Read more →Branding for Small Businesses
See all →Build a look and voice customers remember, without hiring an agency.
A Starter Brand Kit for Businesses Under $5,000
Logo, colors, and fonts you can build without a designer on retainer.
Read more →How to Pick Brand Colors That Aren't Random
A short process for choosing colors that match how you want to be seen.
Read more →Rebranding Your Website Without Losing Existing Customers
How to update your look while keeping people oriented.
Read more →Content Strategy
See all →Decide what to publish, how often, and how to know if it's working.
A Realistic Content Calendar for a One-Person Business
How often to publish when you're also doing the actual work.
Read more →Repurposing One Article Into a Month of Content
Turning a single blog post into email, social, and FAQ content.
Read more →How to Know If Your Content Is Actually Working
The three numbers worth checking each month.
Read more →Website Copywriting
See all →Write homepage, service, and about copy that explains what you actually do.
Homepage Copy That Explains What You Actually Do
A simple structure for the first 100 words visitors read.
Read more →Writing Service Pages People Actually Finish Reading
Cutting the fluff without cutting the useful details.
Read more →About Page Mistakes That Quietly Lose Trust
Common gaps that make visitors leave before they contact you.
Read more →From around the site
The latest updates from Doing The Online Thing, in one place.
Common questions about building a small business website
What should a small business website include at minimum?
A homepage, an about page, a services or products page, a contact page with a working form or email, and a privacy policy. Most businesses can launch with five pages and add more once real customer questions show up.
How much should a small business website cost to build?
A DIY build on a platform like Squarespace or WordPress usually runs $180 to $400 a year in platform and hosting fees. Hiring a freelancer typically adds $800 to $3,000 upfront depending on page count and custom design work.
Do I need a blog if I'm not a content business?
No, but a handful of pages answering common customer questions helps people find you through search and gives you something to link to when customers ask the same question twice.
Can I build a website without knowing how to code?
Yes. Platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress with a page builder plugin all let you build a full site with drag-and-drop tools. Coding knowledge helps for custom features but isn't required to launch.