Updated June 2026
How to set up a website for your business
Short answer
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.
Key facts
- You need exactly 4 pages to launch credibly: Home, Services, About, Contact
- 65% of small-business site visitors are on mobile — design mobile-first
- A Google Business Profile drives more local calls than the website itself
- Page-load speed under 2.5s is the single biggest conversion lever
Step-by-step
- 1
Buy your domain
Use Namecheap or Cloudflare. Pick .com if available; .co or geo-specific TLD as backup.
- 2
Pick your platform
Service business → Squarespace. Restaurant/local → Wix. Custom/scale → Webflow or a freelancer.
- 3
Write the four core pages
Home (hero + 3 services + CTA), Services (detail per offering), About (founder photo + story), Contact (phone, form, map).
- 4
Add trust signals
Real photos, customer testimonials with names, license/insurance numbers, years in business.
- 5
Set up Google Business Profile
Free at business.google.com. This drives more leads than the site itself for most local businesses.
- 6
Install analytics
Google Analytics 4 + Google Search Console. Submit your sitemap.xml.
- 7
Launch and promote
Add the URL to invoices, email signatures, business cards, vehicle wraps. Ask your first 10 customers for reviews.
Want us to build it for you?
Flat-rate, 5–7 day turnaround, includes Google Business Profile setup and 30 days of edits.
Get a free audit →Frequently asked
How long does it take to set up a business website?
8–20 hours of focused DIY work. A freelancer typically delivers in 2–4 weeks. We deliver flat-rate builds in 5–7 business days.
Do I need a website if I have a Google Business Profile?
Yes. The profile drives local discovery; the website earns trust and converts. Businesses with both get 2–3x more calls than profile-only competitors.
What's the most important page?
Contact. 40% of business-site visitors go straight to Contact. Make your phone number tappable on mobile and put a form above the fold.
Should I write the copy myself?
Yes — for the first version. Your voice converts better than generic AI copy. Hire an editor to polish, not to write from scratch.