Planning a business website can feel like a massive task, especially if you’re not particularly technical. But with the right guidance, it’s completely manageable – and dare I say, even enjoyable. Whether you’re launching a brand new venture or looking to upgrade a tired old site, a solid plan will help make sure your website works hard for your business.
In this post, I’m going to walk you through how to plan a business website the right way – the way that saves you time, avoids costly mistakes, and gets results.
Why Proper Planning Matters
Let’s start with the obvious: your website is often the first impression people have of your business. Whether you’re a plumber, a solicitor, or running an online shop, your website is a digital shop window. If it looks outdated, is hard to use, or lacks the information your customers are looking for, you’ll lose business. It’s that simple.
Planning your website properly helps you:
- Define your goals clearly
- Understand your target audience
- Map out the content and functionality you actually need
- Avoid unnecessary costs and delays
- End up with a website that supports your business, not just a pretty page
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty.
Step 1: Define the Purpose of Your Website
This might sound obvious, but it’s amazing how many websites get built without a clear purpose. Is your website there to generate leads? Sell products? Showcase your portfolio? Provide essential information?
Write down the primary goal of your site. Then list any secondary goals. For example:
- Primary goal: Generate enquiries via a contact form
- Secondary goals: Provide information about your services, build trust with testimonials, grow your mailing list
Keep these goals in mind throughout the process. Every decision you make – from the homepage layout to the call-to-actions – should support those goals.
Step 2: Know Your Audience
Who are you trying to attract? Think about your ideal customer. What do they need? What problems are they trying to solve? What would make their experience on your site feel smooth and reassuring?
Create a quick customer profile. Consider their:
- Age range
- Location
- Common questions or concerns
- Level of technical ability
- What action you want them to take
For example, if you’re targeting local tradespeople who might not be overly tech-savvy, your site should be simple, fast, and straight to the point. If you’re a consultant working with corporates, you might want a more polished and professional tone with clear case studies.
Step 3: Choose the Right Structure
Once you know your goals and audience, map out the main pages you’ll need. Don’t overcomplicate it. Here’s a typical starter structure:
- Home
- About
- Services (or Products)
- Testimonials or Case Studies
- Blog or News
- Contact
You may also want to include:
- FAQs
- Portfolio
- Pricing
- Privacy Policy / Terms
- Booking or Quote Request Forms
Each page should have a clear purpose. For example, your homepage should quickly explain what you do and guide users to take the next step – whether that’s calling you, filling out a form, or reading more about your services.
Need help with structure? Check out this post on what your homepage should include.
Step 4: Plan Your Content
Once you know what pages you need, the next step is planning the content.
Don’t leave this to the last minute – poor or rushed content is one of the most common reasons web projects stall.
Start with bullet points for each page:
- What does this page need to say?
- What questions is the visitor trying to answer?
- What tone of voice will resonate with them?
For example, on your About page, don’t just list dates and credentials. Tell your story. Explain what makes your business different. Make it relatable.
Need help writing your content? We offer copywriting support as part of our web design packages.
Step 5: Think About Functionality
Modern websites are more than just text and images. They need to do things.
Make a list of all the functionality you need:
- Contact forms
- Live chat
- Booking calendar
- E-commerce/shop
- Event listings
- Testimonials carousel
- Image gallery or video background
Not sure what’s possible? Have a look at W3C’s accessibility guidelines – they’re a great starting point to think about how your website can be inclusive and user-friendly.
Only include functionality that genuinely adds value to your users. A flashy image slider that slows down your homepage? Probably not worth it.
Step 6: Consider SEO from the Start
Too many businesses treat SEO as an afterthought. But if you want to rank on Google, you need to consider it from day one.
Start with some keyword research. What phrases do people type when looking for businesses like yours? For example, if you’re a local service provider, search terms like “[your service] in Leeds” or “affordable [your trade] near me” are worth targeting.
Use those keywords naturally throughout your site:
- Page titles
- Headings (H1, H2, etc.)
- Meta descriptions
- Alt text for images
- Page URLs
- Internal links
Want more on this? Read our full guide to SEO business basics.
Step 7: Choose the Right Designer (or DIY Carefully)
Whether you’re hiring a web designer or building it yourself, your choice here will shape the entire project.
If you’re going pro, don’t just look at a designer’s portfolio. Ask about:
- Their process
- What’s included in their quote
- Ongoing support options
- Website speed and performance
- How easy it will be to update the site yourself
If you’re going DIY, be aware of the limitations. You might save money upfront, but it could cost you in time, stress, and missed opportunities. And if you’re ever stuck, you can always reach out for help or a rescue project.
We offer affordable website design packages for businesses of all sizes – from startups to growing brands.
Step 8: Set a Realistic Timeline
Web projects can be surprisingly time-consuming – especially if you’re juggling it alongside running a business.
Allow time for:
- Content writing
- Collecting photos and brand assets
- Revisions and approvals
- Testing across devices
A typical small business site can take 3-6 weeks if everything runs smoothly. But it’s often content delays that slow things down – so the more prepared you are, the quicker it’ll go.
Step 9: Prepare Your Brand Assets
Don’t forget the bits and bobs:
- Logo (preferably in SVG or PNG format)
- Brand colours and fonts
- Professional photography (if possible)
- Social media links
- Testimonials
If you don’t have brand guidelines yet, that’s okay – we can help with that too. Strong branding makes your site feel cohesive and trustworthy.
Step 10: Plan for Launch and Beyond
Launching your website is just the beginning. A good website is a living, breathing thing.
After launch, plan to:
- Monitor visitor behaviour with Google Analytics
- Keep content up to date
- Add new blog posts or case studies
- Make improvements based on user feedback
And importantly, keep your software, plugins, and security tools updated. If you don’t want to manage this yourself, we offer website care plans to handle it all for you.
Ready to Build Your Business Website?
Planning a website might not sound like the most exciting job on your to-do list. But if you get it right, it becomes one of your most powerful business tools. It helps you show up, stand out, and succeed online.
If you’re ready to get started – or if you feel a bit overwhelmed and want a hand – I’d love to help.
Need Help with Your Website?
Whether you’re building from scratch or planning a redesign, I offer a personal, straightforward service that’s tailored to your goals. I don’t do hard sells or jargon – just honest advice, practical design, and websites that work.
