Create Your Business Website: From DIY to Done-For-You (Including How to Get a Free Optimized Site)!

Learning how to create a website for your business can feel overwhelming. Yet, establishing your digital presence is one of the most important steps in launching your new endeavor. Not to mention, building your website yourself, in the beginning, can save you considerable funds that you can put back into launching and operating your business.

Many entrepreneurs turn to website templates as their first solution. These pre-designed layouts promise quick setup and professional results. They come with attractive features, drag-and-drop builders, and the allure of instant professionalism.

For some businesses, particularly those just testing the waters, templates can provide a stepping stone into the digital world. However, while website templates offer convenience, they often fail to capture the unique essence of your brand. Most template websites end up looking remarkably similar (like those cookie-cutter houses with zero lot lines), making it difficult for your business to stand out in a crowded digital marketplace. So, our goal for this article is to help you understand what it takes to build a website that truly reflects your business spirit while maintaining professional functionality (and give you a way to get a quick start!).

Before You Begin: Soul-Centered Website Planning

Start with your core purpose. Ask yourself: What transformation do you offer your clients? Your website should clearly communicate this value. Begin by writing down three primary goals your website needs to achieve. These might include generating leads, showcasing your portfolio, or selling products.

Next, identify your core business values. These will guide your design choices and content creation. For example, if authenticity is a key value, you’ll want to incorporate genuine testimonials and behind-the-scenes content. If innovation drives your business, consider incorporating cutting-edge design elements.

Understanding your ideal client’s journey is crucial. Map out their pain points, desires, and the solutions they’re seeking. This information will shape your website’s structure and content hierarchy. Consider creating a client avatar document to reference throughout the development process (AI is wonderful for this, and we have a workshop available here that walks you through exactly how to do this (Note: This workshop is free for Women’s Business Daily Members. For non-members it is $49.99.)

Essential Technical Foundation

When learning how to create a business website, choosing the right platform is crucial (and step 1). Here’s a straightforward breakdown:

WordPress: Best for customization and scalability

  • Offers unlimited flexibility
  • Requires more technical knowledge
  • Most cost-effective long-term

WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet – and for good reason. As your business grows, WordPress offers unmatched flexibility, robust security options, and complete control over your digital presence. More importantly, it’s the platform most preferred by serious business owners who want to optimize their sites for search engines and scale their operations.

Plus, with WordPress’s extensive plugin ecosystem, you can easily add features like online booking, e-commerce, membership areas, and advanced marketing tools without needing to rebuild your site from scratch as your business evolves.

Women’s Business Daily is built on WordPress, so naturally, it’s our preference as well. But don’t just take our word for it, these websites are also built on WordPress:

Major Media & News Organizations:

  • TIME Magazine
  • The New Yorker
  • Reuters News
  • BBC America
  • Bloomberg Professional
  • Forbes
  • TechCrunch

Entertainment & Celebrity:

  • Beyoncé
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Katy Perry
  • The Walt Disney Company Blog

Major Brands:

  • Sony Music
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • The Obama Foundation
  • Microsoft News
  • Facebook Newsroom
  • PlayStation Blog
  • Target Corporate Blog

Universities:

  • Harvard University Blog
  • University of Washington
  • Georgia State University

Squarespace: Ideal for visual businesses

  • Beautiful templates
  • Easy to maintain
  • Limited customization options
  • Not a great long-term plan if you want full control of your website

Squarespace typically attracts photographers, artists, and small boutique businesses who need a quick, visually appealing website without a steep learning curve. Its drag-and-drop interface and curated template collection make it particularly appealing for solopreneurs who prioritize aesthetics and want to showcase their work in a gallery format.

However, we’ve seen many business owners outgrow Squarespace within their first two years of operation. As your business scales, you’ll likely find yourself frustrated by the platform’s limitations in areas like custom functionality, advanced SEO capabilities, and marketing automation.

Plus, monthly subscription costs can add up significantly compared to self-hosted WordPress, especially when you need to add premium features or multiple team members. While Squarespace can serve as a temporary solution, it’s often not the most cost-effective or scalable choice for ambitious entrepreneurs planning substantial growth.

Wix: Perfect for beginners

  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Quick setup
  • Limited advanced features
  • Not a great long-term plan if you want full control of your website

Wix appeals to hobby bloggers, local service providers, and first-time business owners who need to establish a basic online presence quickly. Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor and extensive template library make it tempting for those who feel intimidated by website creation or need a simple landing page fast.

While Wix can get you online in a matter of hours, we’ve observed that businesses often hit a ceiling with its capabilities within the first year. The platform’s limitations become apparent when you need to implement advanced marketing tools, create custom functionalities, or optimize for serious SEO performance.

Additionally, moving your content to a more robust platform like WordPress later can be challenging, as Wix doesn’t offer straightforward export options. This can lead to a complete rebuild when your business requires more sophisticated features – costing you valuable time and resources during crucial growth phases.

Shopify: Built for E-commerce

  • All-in-one online store solution
  • Built-in payment processing
  • Strong inventory management
  • Higher monthly costs
  • Limited customization outside
  • Add-on’s can be pricy and add up quickly
  • Not ideal if e-commerce isn’t your primary focus

Shopify excels at what it was designed for – running online stores (and they even have a POS version if you have a physical store). It’s the platform of choice for businesses primarily focused on selling physical products, with built-in features like inventory tracking, shipping label generation, and abandoned cart recovery.

While Shopify powers many successful e-commerce brands like Gymshark, Allbirds, and Kylie Cosmetics, it’s often overkill for service-based businesses or those who only sell a few products. The platform’s monthly fees start higher than other options, and additional costs for premium themes and essential apps can quickly add up.

Plus, if your business model extends beyond straightforward e-commerce – for instance, if you need robust blogging capabilities as well, membership areas, or complex custom features – you might find yourself constrained by Shopify’s e-commerce-centric architecture.

Many businesses end up maintaining both a Shopify store and a separate WordPress site to meet all their needs, effectively doubling their website maintenance efforts and costs.

We actually recommend WordPress with WooCommerce for most e-commerce businesses. WooCommerce powers over 30% of all online stores worldwide and offers greater flexibility at a fraction of Shopify’s cost.

With WooCommerce, you maintain complete control over your customer data, can customize every aspect of your shop, and aren’t locked into monthly fees that increase with your success. The plugin integrates seamlessly with WordPress, meaning you can build a powerful online store while also maintaining a robust blog, membership site, or online course platform – all under one digital roof.

Plus, with the extensive WooCommerce ecosystem of extensions, you can add advanced features like subscription products, membership programs, or complex shipping rules without the hefty premium fees that Shopify charges for similar functionality. Major brands like Weber, Harley Davidson Gear, and Singer have chosen WooCommerce for their online stores, proving its capability to scale with your business.

Domain Names & Hosting Providers

After you’ve selected your platform, it’s time to register a domain name (we recommend registering that name through GoDaddy.com).

Your domain name serves as your digital address, so choose wisely. Here are some crucial tips to get you started.

  • Keep it brief and memorable – aim for 2-3 words maximum. Shorter domains are easier to type and remember. For example, “sparkfinancial.com” works better than “sparkfinancialservicesgroup.com”.
  • Always secure the .com version first. While other extensions like .net or .co exist, most users automatically type .com when entering web addresses. If possible, purchase common variations to protect your brand.
  • Test for pronunciation and spelling clarity. Say your domain name out loud and ask others to spell it. If they struggle, consider simplifying it. Avoid creative spellings that could confuse potential visitors.
  • When it comes to hosting, quality shouldn’t be compromised. While many providers offer tempting $2.99/month deals, these often come with significant limitations, poor performances that will impact your Google rankings, and a bad user-experience. We recommend hosting with a company that you can call up and talk to someone when you have a question or an issue – and the person you’re talking to knows your account. Granted, this type of hosting costs a bit more – but ultimately the performance, the experience, and the quality of service will save you hours from sitting on support waiting to speak to someone that knows nothing about your business or your site. So, who do we recommend? Our host, Excite Creative Studios.

What should you prioritize when looking for a web host? Speed and reliability matter more than price. Look for hosts that specifically optimize for WordPress and guarantee at least 99.9% uptime. Slow loading times can cost you visitors and harm your search engine rankings.

Prioritize security features like SSL certificates (crucial for building trust), daily backups, and malware scanning. These should be included in your hosting package, not expensive add-ons.

Consider growth potential. Choose a host that allows easy upgrades as your traffic increases. Starting with a quality shared hosting plan gives you room to scale to VPS or dedicated hosting when needed.

Technical support availability is crucial. Look for support through multiple channels (chat, phone, email). Test their response time before committing – send a pre-sales question and evaluate their expertise and promptness.

Color Theory
Color Theory

Design That Speaks Your Truth

Color selection goes beyond personal preference. Your website’s color palette should evoke specific emotions that align with your brand promise and fit your branding. Soft blues and greens often convey trust and growth, while bold reds and oranges suggest energy and action (but can also come across as aggressive). Select two primary colors that reflect your core values and work inside your branding, then complement them with one or two accent colors for balance.

Typography choices significantly impact how visitors perceive your brand. Select a primary font for headlines that captures your brand’s personality. Pair it with a highly readable font for body text. The key is maintaining consistency across all pages while ensuring excellent readability on all devices.

If you’re looking for some more help in this area – check out our Branding Workshop – which will take you through the meaning of various colors, recommendations on types of fonts and font pairing, and how to build out your own branding.

Content That Connects

Your homepage serves as your digital first impression, and research shows that visitors form judgments about your business within just 50 milliseconds of landing on your site. In fact, 94% of first impressions are design-related, and 75% of users admit to making judgments about a company’s credibility based solely on their website’s visual design. A poorly designed or outdated website can cost you valuable customers before they even read your content.

Start with a clear, compelling headline that speaks directly to your visitor’s primary need. This headline must capture attention within the first 3-5 seconds – the average time a visitor spends deciding whether to stay or leave your site. Follow this with a brief explanation of how you solve their problem. Remember to keep your messaging focused on your visitor’s journey rather than just listing your achievements.

Professional visuals are non-negotiable now. Studies show that 38% of visitors will stop engaging with a website if the layout or imagery is unattractive. Your color scheme, typography, and overall design aesthetic should align with your industry standards while setting you apart. For example, law firms typically use navy blue and gray to convey trust and professionalism, while creative agencies often employ bold colors and innovative layouts to demonstrate their capabilities.

Key elements that visitors assess in those crucial first moments include:

  • Website load speed (40% will leave if it takes more than 3 seconds)
  • Mobile responsiveness
  • Clear navigation
  • Professional imagery
  • Consistent branding
  • Easy-to-read typography
  • Obvious call-to-action buttons

Creating an authentic about page requires vulnerability and strategic storytelling. Share your journey, but focus on aspects that demonstrate why you’re uniquely qualified to serve your clients. Include specific examples of how your experience translates into value for them. This builds trust while maintaining professionalism.

Your services or products page should do more than list offerings. Create an emotional connection by describing the transformation clients experience. Use clear, benefit-focused language that helps visitors envision their success. Include pricing when appropriate, and always have clear calls to action.

Beyond the Basics: Adding Unique Elements

To create a business website that stands out, incorporate interactive elements that engage visitors. Consider adding a quiz that helps prospects identify their needs, or implement a unique navigation style that guides visitors through your intended user journey (think about how when you sign up for a service – and you get a walkthrough of features the first time you log in). However, ensure these features enhance rather than complicate the user experience.

Visual storytelling strengthens your message. Invest in professional photography that captures your brand’s essence. Include authentic images of your work process, team, or products in action. Video content, even simple welcome messages, can significantly increase engagement and trust. Just remember to keep media files optimized for quick loading times.

Technical Optimization with Heart

Search engine optimization needn’t feel mechanical. Focus on keywords that your ideal clients naturally use when seeking solutions. Place these terms thoughtfully in your headlines, meta descriptions, and content. More importantly, create valuable content that genuinely answers your audience’s questions.

Need help figuring out what keywords you should be targeting and which ones drive traffic to your competitor’s website? Sign up for a Women’s Business Daily Membership and get a keyword report for free!

Mobile Optimization

Mobile responsiveness is no longer a nice to have – it’s absolutely crucial. As of 2024, over 60% of all web traffic comes from mobile devices, and Google now uses mobile-first indexing to determine search rankings. This means your website’s mobile version is actually more important than your desktop version for SEO purposes.

Consider these stats:

  • 80% of users will immediately leave a site that doesn’t perform well on their mobile device
  • 57% of users say they won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site
  • Users are 5 times more likely to abandon a task if your site isn’t optimized for mobile

When designing for mobile, pay attention to these critical elements:

  • Touch targets should be at least 44×44 pixels to prevent “fat finger” errors
  • Text should be at least 16px for readability without zooming
  • Navigation menus must be thumb-friendly and easily accessible
  • Forms should be simplified for mobile input, with appropriate keyboard types for each field
  • Images should automatically resize without losing quality or slowing load times

Speed becomes even more critical on mobile devices, where users often rely on varying connection strengths. Each second of load time results in a 20% drop in conversions. Optimize your mobile site by:

  • Compressing images without sacrificing quality
  • Minimizing code and scripts
  • Leveraging browser caching
  • Using a content delivery network (CDN) (we love Cloudflare, Rocket CDN, and Bunny)
  • Implementing lazy loading for images

Test your website across multiple devices and operating systems. What works on your iPhone might not work on an Android tablet. Remember, your website should feel intuitive and professional regardless of how visitors access it – this isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about functionality that drives conversions.

Launch Preparation and Beyond

Before launching, conduct thorough testing of all functions. Check every link, form, and button. Review your content for clarity and accuracy. Gather feedback from trusted colleagues or potential clients. Make adjustments based on their input while staying true to your vision.

Remember that your website is a living digital entity that will grow with your business. Create a maintenance schedule to review and update content regularly. Plan for quarterly assessments of your site’s performance and user feedback.

Here are key metrics to monitor at these intervals:

  • Page load times
  • Website traffic
  • Keywords that are ranking/driving traffic
  • User engagement
  • Conversion rates
  • Mobile responsiveness.

Use these insights to make informed decisions about future improvements. Your website should evolve as your business grows and your clients’ needs change.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to create a website for your business is just the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey. The most successful websites combine technical excellence with authentic brand storytelling. Keep refining and optimizing your site based on user interaction and business goals. And, if you can afford an expert to come and do it all for you, that’s the best way to do it. But if not, we hope this guide gives you a solid start!

And if you need a little more help…

Ready to Build and Launch Your Business Website?

Need a little help with all of this? We’re thrilled to invite you to join the Women’s Business Daily Accelerator – an exclusive opportunity for our members that takes the complexity out of creating your professional website.

As a member, you’ll receive:

  • A professionally configured website with free hosting, software, security monitoring, and support (we’ll set it for you, maintain all the software/security, and teach you how to build it with no code experience needed – that way, you can focus on the content – and we can handle the technical details for you)
  • Access to comprehensive branding and growth workshops
  • Expert guidance on SEO, content creation, and AI integration
  • A supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs
  • And countless social media templates to help you promote and market your business
  • And so much more!
WBD Membership

Join Women’s Business Daily Today

Join Women’s Business Daily today and get immediate access to our 2025 Accelerator (valued at $5,000+) at no additional cost.

Your business deserves more than just a template website. It deserves a digital home that truly reflects your vision and values. Take the first step toward creating that reality by joining our community today.

→ Join Women’s Business Daily: Transform Your Vision Into Reality

Founder & Editor | Website |  View Posts

Emily Sprinkle, also known as Emma Loggins, is a designer, marketer, blogger, and speaker. She is the Editor-In-Chief for Women's Business Daily where she pulls from her experience as the CEO and Director of Strategy for Excite Creative Studios, where she specializes in web development, UI/UX design, social media marketing, and overall strategy for her clients.

Emily has also written for CNN, Autotrader, The Guardian, and is also the Editor-In-Chief for the geek lifestyle site FanBolt.com