How to build a website: A practical guide for small businesses in Folkestone & Kent
- Jun 4
- 4 min read
This week I had the pleasure of delivering a lecture for local networking group With Good Company on one of the questions I hear most often from small business owners, creatives and start-ups: "I know I need a website, but where do I start?"
It's a question that can feel overwhelming. There are endless platforms, conflicting advice online, and a long list of things people tell you that you "must" have before you begin. The good news? Building a successful website doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, the most effective websites often start with a simple plan and a clear understanding of what they're trying to achieve.
Before you build anything, ask why?
One of the first things I covered in my lecture was this; a website should have a purpose, not just a homepage. Before choosing templates, platforms or hero images ask yourself, why am I doing this...
Do I want to generate leads?
Sell products?
Take bookings?
Showcase my work?
Build trust and credibility?
Share information?
Or something else... Your answer will shape every decision that follows.
A good website is more than just looking nice
Many businesses and brands focus on aesthetics first, but successful websites are built around user needs. A good website should be:
Easy to navigate
Mobile friendly
Fast loading
Clear and focused
Designed around the user journey and need
Built to generate enquiries or sales or reach a goal
The best websites aren't simply attractive. They perform.
So, know your audience
During the lecture I got participants to answer the following questions and this is something I also ask my new clients during our first consultation call. Take the time to really think about what your cusotmer needs, ask;
Who will visit my website?
What information are they looking for?
What problem am I solving?
What action do I want them to take?
When you understand your audience, creating content becomes much easier because you're just answering the quetions/needs/problems they raised.
Content first. Design second.
This surprises people. Many assume the design comes first, and they start looking for a template that fits their aestetic preference. But I always recommend starting with content so before building your website, gather togther all of your
Text and copy
Photography
Testimonials
Service information
Contact details
Brand assets
SEO keywords
A simple sitemap can also help organise your thinking. For most small businesses, this might include: Home, About, Services, Portfolio or Gallery, Testimonials, Contact.
Choosing the right website platform
There isn't one perfect website platform. There is only the right platform for your needs.
When choosing a platform, you'll need to consider;
Your budget
Whether you'll manage it yourself
E-commerce requirements
Flexibility and future growth
As a Wix specialist and legend, I often recommend Wix to small businesses because it offers an excellent balance between flexibility, ease of use and affordability. It's particularly well suited to service businesses, consultants, creatives and start-ups who want a professional website without the complexity and costs often associated with more technical platforms.
Don't forget local search
One of the biggest missed opportunities for local businesses is neglecting their local search presence. Many potential customers discover businesses through Google before they ever visit a website so make sure you have a Google Business Profile and a Bing Places for Business profile.
And once you have them, keep them up to date with accurate and consistent contact information, recent reviews and up-to-date opening hours, services and news. For businesses looking for website design in Folkestone or across Kent, local visibility can be just as important as the website itself.
I wrote an article on this last year, check it out here.
SEO doesn't need to be complicated
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) can sound intimidating, but the fundamentals are straightforward. Just think of a search engine as your user and focus on making the website for them, focus on;
Clear page titles and copy
Helpful content
Mobile-friendly design
Fast-loading pages
Local information
Regular updates
If you focus on helping your visitors, you're already moving in the right direction.
Thinking about building a website?
Whether you're creating your first website or redesigning an existing one, planning is the key to success. As part of my recent lecture, I created a practical step-by-step guide to help small businesses navigate the process including infomration on domain names, hosting, planning and budget guidance. I've made the presentation available as a free download.
Simply click below to get the full slide deck, perfect for small business owners, creatives and start-ups looking to build a website with confidence.
Need help with your website?
I provide affordable website design in Folkestone and throughout Kent, specialising in Wix website design, UX-led websites, SEO-friendly builds and ongoing website support for small businesses. Whether you need a brand new website, a redesign, a website health check or Wix training, I'd be happy to help.
Get in touch to discuss your project, email me at sara@thekarmacreative.com
