How to Make a Website for a Small Business in Just a Few Clicks

You know your small business needs a website, but maybe you’re not sure where to start. Worried about complicated steps or needing to hire expensive developers? Relax. This step-by-step guide makes creating a website surprisingly easy. We’ll show you the most efficient way to get your business online, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

Index

• Reasons Why Your Small Business Needs a Website
• Building Your Website with Webnode: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How Much Does a Website for a Small Business Cost
• What You Can Do with Webnode’s Free Website Builder
• What You Get with Webnode’s Premium Plans
• Promote Your Business Website After Launching It
• FAQ

Reasons Why Your Small Business Needs a Website

For most small businesses today, a website has become an essential business tool. Customer habits are changing, and the online world is growing – making your online presence increasingly indispensable.

Top Reasons to Create a Website for Your Small Business:

• More customers online: A significant portion of consumers are online, and they expect businesses to be there, too. In fact, 73% of small businesses worldwide have a website, demonstrating the global recognition of online necessity.
• Customers expect to find you online: For US small businesses specifically, having a website isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s crucial for discoverability. 47% of US small businesses report that their website is there so customers can find them online. If customers can’t find you online, they may assume you don’t exist.
• Build credibility and showcase services: Beyond just being found, a website builds trust. 38% of US small businesses use their website to establish credibility for their services. A professional website signals that you are a serious and reliable business.
• Avoid losing customers: Not having a website can actually cost you customers. Did you know that 31% of shoppers won’t even consider shopping at a small business if it doesn’t have a website? Don’t let a lack of online presence drive customers away.
• Cost-effective marketing and reach: A website remains a very effective marketing tool for small businesses. It offers a platform to showcase your offerings, run promotions, and engage with potential customers at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising.
• Gain a competitive edge: In a crowded market, a website helps you stand out. It’s a key way to communicate your unique selling points and provide information that customers are actively seeking when comparing businesses.

These days, building a website is much easier than you might think – even if you’re just starting out. Let’s take a closer look at how the process works with Webnode.

Building Your Website with Webnode: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Getting Started

Registering with Webnode takes only a few minutes, and you’ll be on your way to building the website of your dreams. 

• Go to www.webnode.com and click the ‘Get started for free’ button. 

• Enter your Website Name, Your Email Address, and a Password. Then, click the ‘Register & Create’ button.

When you choose your website’s name, this name will be part of your web address. For example, your web address might be mywebsite.webnode.page.

However, if someone else is already using that name, we’ll automatically add a number to your web address to make it unique. So, it might become something like mywebsite12.webnode.page.

That’s why it’s a good idea to choose a name that’s unique and, if possible, short and easy to remember.

1. Select a Template

Choosing the right template is an important step in creating your website. Webnode offers a wide variety of free website templates designed to suit different industries, including business, online stores, portfolios, blogs, and more. 

• Explore the gallery – Webnode provides an interactive preview, allowing you to see how the menu, footer, and header function before making a selection.
• Pick based on design – Choose a template based on its layout and color scheme, then customize it to match your brand.
• Full customization – You can personalize all text, images, colors, and fonts to create a unique look.

All Webnode templates are free to use and fully mobile-friendly, ensuring a smooth experience on any device. While you can’t switch templates after selecting one, you can customize it extensively to fit any concept. Simply choose the one you love and make it your own.

Profession	Template example
Architect
Financial Advisor
Photography
Personal trainer
Web Consulting
Accommodation
Hairdresser
Handymen

1. Choose the name of your online business

By default, your website’s address will include the website name you choose, followed by “webnode” and a domain extension. For example, it might look like this: mywebsite.webnode.page.

Webnode offers a free version that lets you build a fully functional website with access to essential editing tools. However, free websites come with a Webnode subdomain, meaning your website’s address will always include “webnode.page“. If you’re okay with this, you can use the free version indefinitely.

If you want to use your own custom domain (like mywebsite.com), you’ll need to upgrade to a Premium plan. This is a paid feature starting from $120/year, and it comes with several benefits:

• A more professional image – A custom domain makes your website look more credible and trustworthy.
• Easier to remember – Customers are more likely to recall and return to your site.

If you’re serious about building a strong online presence, having your own domain is a valuable investment that can pay off in the long run.

1. Customize Your Design

Now that you’ve chosen your template, it’s time to make it your own. Customizing your website in Webnode is easy and intuitive, allowing you to tailor every detail to match your brand.

What You Can Customize:

• Colors & Fonts – Adjust the color scheme and typography to reflect your style.
• Layout & Sections – Rearrange elements, add new sections, or remove anything you don’t need.
• Buttons & CTAs – Customize call-to-action buttons to encourage visitors to take action.
• Logos & Icons – Upload your brand logo and select icons that enhance your website’s personality.

No experience in web design? No worries. Webnode’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to create a professional-looking website. Plus, you can find useful tips and inspiration in our web design guide to help you make the most of your site’s look and feel.

Make your own small business website now

1. Create Your Website Content

Your website is more than just a design—it needs engaging content to attract and convert visitors.

Key Elements to Include:

• Clear and compelling headlines that instantly communicate what you do.
• Calls to action (CTAs) like “Get a Quote,” “Book a Consultation,” or “Shop Now.”
• Contact forms & touchpoints so customers can easily reach you.

Not everyone has the budget for a professional copywriter, but great content is still possible with AI. Webnode’s AI website builder makes it effortless. AI (artificial intelligence) takes the information you provide about your business or project and automatically generates a fully functional website, complete with relevant text, images, and layout.

How It Works:

1. Tell the AI about your business – Describe what you do, and AI will build a website tailored to your needs.
2. Instant website creation – The AI generates a ready-to-use site with pre-written content and images that fit your industry.
3. Full customization – Edit, refine, and add new sections (like a blog or store) anytime to make it truly your own.

Example: A bakery website

Prompt: “Create an engaging ‘About Us’ section for a small bakery that specializes in homemade sourdough bread, using a friendly and warm tone.”

AI-Generated Content:

“At SweetCrust Bakery, we believe in the magic of homemade bread. Every morning, we craft fresh, slow-fermented sourdough loaves using traditional methods and the finest ingredients. Our goal? To bring warmth, comfort, and the unforgettable taste of artisan bread to your table. Visit us today and experience the difference!”

With Webnode there is no need to stress about writing. Start with AI-generated content to quickly build your website copy, then tweak and refine it to make it truly yours.

6. Add images of you and your business

People connect with real people, which is why adding photos of yourself, your team, or your workspace builds trust and makes your brand more relatable.

Why real photos matter:

• Creates a personal connection with visitors
• Makes your business feel authentic and trustworthy
• Helps you stand out from competitors using generic stock photos

While stock images are an option, original photos will always have a stronger impact. Need images? Webnode offers AI-generated visuals to help bring your website to life.

Add behind-the-scenes images, team photos, or even a friendly headshot to make your site more engaging.

7. Launch Your Website

You’re almost there! Before you go live, do a final review to ensure everything looks and functions perfectly.

Final checklist before publishing:

• Check all text and images for accuracy
• Test navigation, links, and buttons
• Make sure your CTAs are clear and engaging
• Add your social media links to connect with visitors beyond your website

Once everything looks great, hit “Publish” and share your site with the world. 

Build your own website for a small business with Webnode and see how easy it is to start

How Much a Website for a Small Business Costs

You can have a website for free for an unlimited amount of time, or you can choose to have a Premium website with additional features starting from $120/year. 

You can create a 100% free website with access to essential editing tools. However, the free version includes a Webnode subdomain (e.g., mywebsite.webnode.page). If you want a custom domain (e.g., mywebsite.com) and additional benefits, you’ll need a Premium Plan.

Webnode’s Premium Plans operate on a yearly subscription basis, allowing you to choose what fits your budget. Paid plans provide valuable features like:

• A custom domain for a professional look
• Increased storage & bandwidth for more visitors
• Ad-free experience with no Webnode branding
• E-commerce tools for selling online
• Advanced SEO features to improve search rankings

The cost depends on the plan, but Webnode is designed to be an affordable solution for small businesses. You can start for free and upgrade whenever you’re ready.

Webnode stands out due to its scalability. You can start with a simple and free website for your small business and expand as your needs grow. 

Example: 

A hairdresser might begin by showcasing their services online. Later, they might decide to sell hair care products directly through their website. 

With Webnode, upgrading to an online store is easy. Whether you’re starting small or planning for growth.

Webnode Pricing: Free vs. Paid Plan

Webnode helps you quickly build your own website. No tech experience needed. Choose the plan that matches your type of business:

• Mini Plan:
  Good for a simple page about yourself, like a small personal blog or an online business card.
  
• Standard Plan: (Most popular for plumbers, electricians, hairdressers, and similar small businesses.) Includes:
  
  • Your own website name (e.g., www.yourbusiness.com) for free in the first year.
    
  • Space to show plenty of photos, your services, customer testimonials, and more.
    
  • Enough visitors per month for most local businesses.
    
  • Quick help from Webnode whenever you have questions.
    
• Profi Plan:(Best if your business starts to really grow.)
  Includes everything in Standard plus:
  
  • Unlimited website visitors.
    
  • The ability for customers to log in (handy for repeat customers or bookings).
    
  • Extra tools to protect and back up your website easily.
    

You can start small and upgrade anytime as your business gets bigger.

Below is a comparison of key features to help you decide which plan best fits your project.

Plan	Profi	Standard	Mini	Free
Feature
Free domain (For the 1st year)	✔	✔	✔	✘
Storage (Amount of space available on the server to store your website’s content)	7 GB	3 GB	1 GB	100 MB
Bandwidth  (The amount of data that can be transferred between your website and its visitors)	Unlimited	10 GB	3 GB	500 MB
Premium customer support	✔	✔	✔	✘
Form builder	✔	✔	✔	✘
Remove Webnode branding	✔	✔	✔	✘
Online store	✔	✔	✘	✘
Membership registration	Unlimited	100 members	✘	✘
Multiple languages	Unlimited	2 languages	✘	✘
Backup & recovery   (Save copies of your website’s data and restore it if needed)	Unlimited	5 backups	✘	✘

Build your own website for small business now

What You Can Do with Webnode’s Free Website Builder 

Webnode’s free plan lets you create a simple website without any tech hassle. Great for trying things out or small personal projects.

Easy-to-Understand Features:

✅ Simple Website Space

• Enough room for a basic site with a few pages and photos.

✅ Unlimited Pages

• Create as many pages as you like.
• Hide pages you don’t want in the menu.
• Customize your page names to help people find you on Google.

✅ Start a Blog

• Easily share news, updates, and articles with your customers.

✅ Try an Online Store (Demo)

• Set up a demo store and test selling online.
• You can even import your products to see how it works.

✅ Contact Forms

• Add easy-to-fill contact forms for customers.
• Great for booking requests or newsletters (up to 5 fields per form).

✅ Cookie Notice

• A short message on your website letting visitors know you’re using cookies (small files that remember basic visitor info). It’s required by law.

✅ Easy Content Adding

• Quickly add text, images, and videos.

✅ Customizable Design

• Choose your favorite look for your website.
• Easy guides to help you customize it your way.

✅ Online Booking

• Easily add an appointment booking system to your website.

Build a basic website quickly and upgrade later if you need more.

What You Get with Webnode’s Premium Plans 

Upgrade to Premium and unlock powerful features to boost your business:

⚡ More Space & Visitors

• Handle more content, photos, and visitors easily.

⚡ Free Website Address

• Get your own domain (e.g., www.yourbusiness.com) free for the first year.

⚡ Custom Email & Domain

• Use your own professional email address.

⚡ Advanced Contact Forms

• Create forms with unlimited fields and let customers upload files.

⚡ Video Backgrounds

• Make your site stand out with moving video backgrounds.

⚡ Visitor Stats

• See how many people visit your site and what they do there.

⚡ Custom Tools

• Add special features like maps, chat boxes, or reviews by pasting simple code from other tools.

⚡ User & Website Stats

• Detailed visitor insights (Standard and Profi plans).

⚡ No Ads

• Your website without Webnode branding (Standard and Profi).

⚡ Custom Website Icon

• Your own icon (favicon) in the browser tab (Standard and Profi).

⚡ Member-Only Areas

• Let customers sign in to see special content (Standard and Profi).

⚡ Multiple Languages

• Create your site in different languages (Profi plan).

Create your website and upgrade anytime as your needs grow

Promote your business website after launching it

Building a small business website is just the first step. To attract visitors and grow your business, you need to promote your website efficiently. Here’s how:

Improve Local Visibility

If your business serves a specific local area, making sure people in that area can find you online is crucial. Think of it as putting your business on the map digitally. You can do this by listing your business in online directories. Some of the most important ones for local businesses include:

• Google Business Profile: This is essential for showing up in Google Maps and local search results.
• Yelp: Many people use Yelp to find local services and read reviews.
• Bing Places: Just like Google, Bing also has its own business directory that customers might use.
• Apple Maps Connect: If your customers use Apple devices, being listed here is important for them to find you through their maps app.
• Local Information Websites: There might be specific online directories or websites dedicated to businesses in your town or region. Look for these and make sure your business is listed.

By having your business listed in these places, you’re not just making it easier for people to find your address and phone number. 

You’re also improving your visibility in search results on search engines like Google and Bing when people search for businesses like yours in their area. This is a big part of what’s called Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization), which helps you rank higher in local searches.

Leverage Social Media

While having a presence on social media isn’t absolutely necessary for every single business, for many, it can be an effective way to connect with potential customers and drive traffic to your website. Think of platforms like:

• Facebook: This is Great for connecting with a broad audience and building a community.
• Instagram: Perfect for visually showcasing your products or services.
• LinkedIn: Ideal for businesses that cater to other businesses (B2B) or professionals.
• TikTok: This can be fantastic for reaching a younger audience with engaging video content.

However, it’s important to understand that social media marketing takes time, effort, and sometimes even money. You’ll need to create interesting and valuable content that your audience will want to see and share. This helps build trust and keeps them coming back for more. 

Make it easy for your followers to visit your website by including clear links in your profiles and posts. This direct connection with your social media helps you drive valuable traffic from your engaged audience to your website, where they can learn more about your offerings and potentially become customers.

Use Online Advertising (PPC)

If you want to see results more quickly, Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising can be a great option. This type of advertising allows you to instantly appear in the paid search results on search engines like Google and Bing when people search for keywords related to your business. You can also use PPC on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to target specific audiences.

Here’s how PPC works: you bid on certain keywords, and when someone searches for those terms, your ad might appear at the top of the search results. You only pay when someone actually clicks on your ad.

If you’re new to PPC, it can be a bit tricky to set up effective campaigns. To make sure you’re not wasting your budget and that you’re targeting the right people who are likely to become your customers, it’s often a good idea to consider hiring a specialist for the initial setup of your campaigns. They can help you optimize your spending and ensure you’re getting the best results.

Creating a website with ease

Creating a website for your small business is an essential step in building credibility, reaching new customers, and growing your brand. You can start with Webnode’s free website builder or opt for a premium plan. The process is simple and beginner-friendly.

Now that you know how to build and customize your website, take action today. Make a small business website and establish your online presence in just a few clicks.

Build Your Own Small Business Website

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FAQ

How long can I use Webnode website builder for free?

You can use Webnode’s free version indefinitely. However, free websites include Webnode branding and a subdomain (mywebsite.webnode.page).

Is there a money-back guarantee for a Premium Plan?

Yes, Webnode offers a 15-day money-back guarantee on all premium plans.

Can I change the template if I do not like it? 

Once you pick a template and create your website, you can’t change to a different one. But you can still adjust the design by changing colors, fonts, and icons. If you want a completely different template, you’ll need to start a new website..

Does Webnode have customer support?

Yes. Free users get access to basic support, while premium users receive priority support with faster response times.

Webnode provides customer support in 20 + languages to help you with any issues, questions, or suggestions. Here’s how you can get in touch:

📚 Help Center – Find answers in Webnode’s FAQs and guides.

📩 Contact Form (Recommended)

• Registered users: Log in and submit a request for faster support.
• Non-registered users: Use the general contact form.

📧 Email Support – After you submit the contact form, your message is answered personally by our friendly customer care team – real people ready to help you.

📞Phone Support (For Premium Users Only – Profi & Business Plans) – Available during European business hours (CET).

Availability: Support is open Monday to Friday, with responses typically within 24 hours.