Building an Effective Website for Your Small Business on a Budget

stephenvillesbdc
May 19
2 min read

In today’s digital world, having a professional website is essential. But don’t worry: you don’t need a huge budget or tech experience to build one. Here’s how you can create an effective, affordable website that helps your business grow.

1. Choose an Affordable Website Builder

No coding? No problem. These platforms let you build a professional site on your own:

Wix – Drag-and-drop builder, beginner-friendly
Squarespace – Sleek templates, great for creatives and service providers
Shopify – Best for e-commerce
WordPress.com – Highly customizable
GoDaddy Website Builder – Fast setup with strong customer support

Tip: Try free trials to find the one that fits your business best.

2. Get a Custom Domain Name

A simple, custom domain like www.YourBusiness.com makes you look professional and credible. You can buy domains through:

Google Domains (now part of Squarespace)
Namecheap
GoDaddy

Cost: Around $10–$20 per year.

3. Focus on the Essentials

Start with just a few core pages. Quality matters more than quantity.

Home – Who you are and what you offer
About – Share your story and mission
Services/Products – Clear descriptions with pricing if possible
Contact – Make it easy for customers to reach you
Testimonials – Build trust with real customer feedback

You can always expand later!

4. Keep Branding Simple but Strong

Even on a budget, you can build a beautiful brand:

Choose 2–3 main colors
Use consistent fonts
Create a simple logo with Canva, Looka, or Hatchful by Shopify

Keep your layout clean, easy to read, and consistent across pages.

5. Make Sure It’s Mobile-Friendly

Over 60% of website visits happen on mobile. All major builders offer mobile-ready templates — just preview your site on your phone before publishing.

Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to double-check.

6. Use Basic SEO to Get Found on Google

You don’t need to be an expert to boost your search engine visibility:

Use local keywords (e.g., “custom signs in (city name)”)
Include keywords in page titles, headings, and descriptions
Add alt text to images
Link your pages together
Submit your site to Google Search Console

Bonus: Claim your Google Business Profile and get listed on local directories.

7. Use Free Tools to Save Money

Canva – Design banners and social posts
Pexels / Unsplash – Free stock photos
Grammarly – Write professional, error-free content
Google Analytics – Track who’s visiting and how they found you

Final Thoughts

Your website is your 24/7 salesperson — it tells your story, sells your products, and connects with your community. With the right tools and a little effort, any small business can create a powerful online presence.

Need Help?

The Tarleton State University SBDC is here to support local entrepreneurs. We offer free 1-on-1 advising on digital marketing, website strategy, and small business planning.