Your website is often the first impression customers get of your business, and a great one can help you stand out, attract new customers, and grow your brand. Here is the ultimate checklist to ensure your small business website works hard for you.
Your website should answer two basic questions:
What is your business about?
Who is it for?
Clearly define your target audience and tailor your content to meet their needs. For example, if you’re a bakery, highlight your specialties like custom cakes or gluten-free options. Dotweb offers website design services (see more here) to help craft a website that resonates with your audience.
2. Simple Navigation
A cluttered website can confuse visitors. Ensure your menu is easy to find and simple to use. Stick to key pages like:
Home
About Us
Services or Products
Contact Us
Pro Tip: Use a sticky menu that stays visible as users scroll. This improves accessibility and keeps important links handy.
3. Fast Load Times
Nobody likes waiting for a slow website. If your site takes more than three seconds to load, visitors may leave. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your site’s speed and make improvements.
Tips to Improve Speed:
Compress images.
Minimise plugins.
Use a reliable hosting service like Dotweb’s affordable hosting plans (check them out).
4. Mobile-Friendly Design
More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. A responsive design ensures your site looks and works great on all screen sizes. Test your website on different devices to ensure:
Text is readable.
Buttons are easy to tap.
Images adjust without cropping.
5. Engaging Content
High-quality, engaging content keeps visitors on your site longer. Include:
Headlines: Grab attention with clear, bold statements.
Images: Use professional photos or illustrations that align with your brand.
Videos: Demonstrate your products or share testimonials.
For help crafting the perfect content, explore Dotweb’s marketing services (learn more).
6. Strong Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
Every page should guide visitors toward a specific action, such as:
Signing up for a newsletter.
Booking a consultation.
Purchasing a product.
Use action-driven language like:
“Get Your Free Quote”
“Download Your Checklist” (like this one)
7. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
SEO helps your website rank higher in search results, making it easier for customers to find you. Focus on:
Using relevant keywords (like “small business website checklist”).
Adding meta descriptions for each page.
Optimising images with alt text.
Linking to related resources, like Dotweb’s services (see our websites page).
8. Secure and Trustworthy
Show your customers that their information is safe by using HTTPS. An SSL certificate:
Encrypts data.
Builds trust with visitors.
Dotweb’s hosting packages include SSL certificates, giving you peace of mind and credibility (view plans).
9. Contact Information
Make it easy for customers to reach you by providing:
A contact form.
Your email address.
Phone number.
Physical address (if applicable).
Place your contact info on a dedicated page and in the footer of every page for easy access.
10. Analytics and Performance Tracking
Track how well your site performs using tools like Google Analytics. Key metrics to monitor include:
Number of visitors.
Time spent on the site.
Bounce rate (how quickly people leave).
Use these insights to make data-driven decisions for improvement.
11. Regular Updates
Keep your website fresh by:
Updating content regularly.
Adding new blog posts or case studies.
Fixing broken links.
Stale websites can hurt your rankings and discourage visitors. Dotweb can help you maintain your site effortlessly (learn more).
12. Free Resources for Improvement
Not sure if your website is up to par? Use Dotweb’s free Website Health Checklist (download it here) to:
Identify areas of improvement.
Get actionable tips.
Start making changes today.
Final Thoughts
A high-performing website is more than just a digital brochure. It’s a powerful tool to connect with your audience, showcase your brand, and grow your business. By following this ultimate checklist, you’ll be well on your way to creating a website that works for you.
Need expert help? Dotweb specialises in website design, hosting, and digital marketing tailored for small businesses. Visit our website to learn more and get started today.
