Things to Think About When Building a Website
Building a website often starts with excitement and ends with decision fatigue.
Templates blur together, everyone has an opinion on what “works,” and suddenly you’re knee-deep in fonts without a clear sense of direction.
Whether you’re DIYing your website or working with a professional web designer, the same truth applies: a successful website is built on strategy first, design second. Before you choose a platform, a layout, or a color palette, there are a few foundational things worth thinking through, because they affect how your site performs long after it launches.
Define the Purpose of Your Website
Every small business website needs a job.
Is your website meant to generate leads, book discovery calls, sell a service, or act as a digital portfolio? When the goal isn’t clear, the site tends to feel scattered, pretty, but ineffective.
Strong website strategy starts with choosing one primary goal and ensuring every page, call-to-action, and design choice supports that outcome.
Know Who You’re Building It For
Your website is not for everyone, and that’s a good thing.
Think about your ideal client:
What problem brought them to your site?
What questions are they asking before they reach out?
Are they browsing on their phone between meetings or sitting down at a desktop?
A well-designed website meets visitors where they are, with clear messaging and an easy path forward.
Prioritize Clear Website Copy Over Clever Design
Design can catch someone’s eye, but copy keeps them engaged.
If visitors can’t quickly understand what you do, who you help, and how to get started, they won’t stick around. This is where many DIY websites struggle, not because the design is bad, but because the messaging is unclear.
Simple, confident website copy builds trust faster than trendy layouts ever will.
Create Content Before You Choose a Design
One of the most overlooked steps in website design is content planning.
Before selecting a template or working with a designer, outline:
What pages do you need
The purpose of each page
The key message each page should communicate
When content leads, design has a solid foundation to support it. When design leads, content often feels forced.
Keep Website Navigation Intuitive
Your website navigation should feel effortless.
Visitors should never have to guess where to find your services, pricing, or contact information. Clean, familiar navigation improves user experience and helps your website perform better in search results.
When in doubt, simpler is almost always better.
Design for Mobile First
Mobile-friendly website design is no longer optional.
Most users will view your site on a phone before a laptop, which means:
Text needs to be readable without zooming
Buttons should be easy to tap
Pages should load quickly and scroll smoothly
If your website feels clunky on mobile, it affects how professional your business appears.
Build Trust, Not Just Visual Interest
A polished website doesn’t rely on trends alone; it builds credibility.
Trust-building website elements include:
Client testimonials
Clear service descriptions
Authentic photos
Thoughtful, reassuring copy
These details help visitors feel confident reaching out, especially if they’re encountering your business for the first time.
Start Small and Build Over Time
A high-performing small business website doesn’t need dozens of pages.
Many effective sites launch with:
A homepage
Services page
About page
Contact page
You can always expand with blog content, resources, or additional services as your business grows.
Plan for Website Maintenance
A website isn’t a one-time project; it’s a living part of your business.
Think ahead about:
Content updates
Broken links or forms
Platform or plugin updates
Ongoing website maintenance keeps your site functional, secure, and aligned with your current offerings.
Strategy Matters—No Matter How You Build
Whether you’re building a website yourself or hiring a web designer, tools and templates can only take you so far.
Without clear goals, thoughtful messaging, and intentional structure, even the most beautiful website will fall flat. When strategy leads, design becomes more effective, and your website works harder for your business.
Let me help.
If you’re thinking about building (or rebuilding) your website and want some help planning things out before you start, I’d love to help. Whether you need strategy, design, or just direction, we can create something that actually supports your business, not just sits online.
Explore working with Webz by Elise or reach out to start the conversation.
