Guides (66)
Direct answers to the questions owners actually ask.
No fluff, no 3,000-word intros. Each guide answers one question in the first paragraph, then expands with steps, real numbers, and an FAQ.
Browse by industry (12 categories · 60 guides)
Core guides
Updated June 2026
How much does it cost to set up a website in 2026?
In 2026, setting up a basic small-business website costs between $60 and $300 per year if you do it yourself with a builder like Wix or Squarespace. Hiring a freelancer typically costs $500–$3,000 one-time. A professional agency build runs $2,500–$10,000+ depending on pages, integrations, and copywriting. Ongoing hosting and domain renewals add roughly $100–$300/year regardless of who builds it.
Updated June 2026
How to set up a website for your business
To set up a website for your business: (1) buy a domain that matches your business name, (2) pick Squarespace, Wix, or Webflow as your platform, (3) build four core pages — Home, Services, About, Contact, (4) add your phone number and a contact form above the fold, (5) connect Google Business Profile, (6) install Google Analytics and Search Console, (7) publish and submit your sitemap. Total realistic timeline: 8–20 hours of focused work.
Updated June 2026
How to set up a website for a small business
Small businesses need a 4–6 page website focused on local conversion, not big-brand polish. Use Squarespace ($16/mo) or hire a flat-rate builder. Put your phone number, service area, and a contact form on every page. Pair the site with a free Google Business Profile — for most local businesses, that profile drives more calls than the site itself. Expect 8–20 hours DIY or a $1,200–$3,000 flat-rate build to launch.
Updated June 2026
How to set up a free website
You can set up a free website in 2026 using Google Sites, WordPress.com's free tier, or Carrd's free plan. All three give you a working URL on a shared subdomain (e.g. yoursite.wordpress.com) with limited features and provider branding. For a business, expect to outgrow the free tier within 30 days — at minimum you'll want a custom domain ($12/year) to look credible.
Updated June 2026
How to set up a website to sell things
To set up a website to sell things in 2026, use Shopify ($39/mo) for physical products, Squarespace Commerce ($27/mo) for under 50 SKUs with strong design needs, or WooCommerce on WordPress for full control. All three handle payments, taxes, and shipping out of the box. Plan to spend 15–30 hours setting up product pages, photography, and checkout before you launch — product photos are the single biggest conversion driver.
Updated June 2026
How to set up a subscription website
To set up a subscription website in 2026, the fastest path is Squarespace Member Areas ($14/mo + 9% per subscriber), Memberstack with Webflow ($25/mo + 2% fees), or Stripe Billing on a custom site (2.9% + 30¢ per charge, no monthly fee). For content/community subscriptions, Substack and Patreon take 10% but require zero setup. Expect 10–25 hours to ship a paid wall, gated content, and a working cancel flow.
By industry
Tailored playbooks for the businesses we build for most often.
a plumber
Home services
a dental practice
Healthcare
a photographer
Creative
an electrician
Home services
a law firm
Professional
a restaurant
Food
a real estate agent
Real estate
a hair salon
Beauty
a gym or fitness studio
Fitness
a general contractor
Home services
a landscaping company
Home services
an accountant or CPA firm
Professional
a therapy practice
Healthcare
a chiropractor
Healthcare
a roofing company
Home services
an HVAC company
Home services
a cleaning service
Home services
a bakery
Food
a food truck
Food
a daycare or preschool
Education
a tutor or tutoring service
Education
a personal trainer
Fitness
a wedding photographer
Creative
an auto repair shop
Auto
a coffee shop
Food
a nonprofit organization
Nonprofit
a church
Nonprofit
a consultant or consulting firm
Professional
a freelancer
Creative
an Etsy shop or handmade brand
Retail
a handyman business
Home services
a painting company
Home services
a pest control company
Home services
a junk removal service
Home services
a moving company
Home services
a locksmith
Home services
a pool service company
Home services
a garage door company
Home services
an appliance repair service
Home services
a fence contractor
Home services
a veterinary practice
Healthcare
an optometry practice
Healthcare
a pediatric practice
Healthcare
an orthodontic practice
Healthcare
a massage therapy practice
Healthcare
a dermatology practice
Healthcare
a barbershop
Beauty
a nail salon
Beauty
a day spa
Beauty
a tattoo shop
Beauty
a makeup artist
Beauty
a yoga studio
Fitness
a pilates studio
Fitness
a martial arts school
Fitness
a dance studio
Fitness
a mortgage broker
Professional
an insurance agent
Professional
a financial advisor
Professional
a marketing agency
Professional
an IT services company
Professional