How to Create a Business Website – No Coding Needed

Published on April 29, 2023

A strong online presence is non-negotiable for businesses nowadays, especially in Australia where competition is tough. It’s not enough to just have a website. You need a really good website – one that looks professional, optimised for search engines, and shows your target market exactly what they’ll get.

So how to create a business website? First, you’ll need to be hell-bent on your purpose and domain name, as these are two things you can’t easily change. Thanks to a plethora of user-friendly tools and platforms, you can build a professional and functional website with minimal effort – no coding or design skills required.

Can I Make a Free Website for My Business?

Yes! It’s certainly possible to create a website for your business without any cost. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of opting for a free website before ultimately making a decision.

On the positive side, free website builders, like Wix, Weebly, and WordPress, provide a range of templates and features that can help you get started. The interface of these platforms is pretty intuitive, so there’s no need to worry about getting into any major trouble.

Starting with a free website builder is also an excellent way to test the waters and gauge your website’s potential without making any financial commitment.

Conversely, you need to consider some drawbacks. For one, free websites often come with the platform’s branding and advertisements, which can detract from your business’s professional image.

And two, free plans usually have restricted access to advanced features, such as e-commerce functionality or premium templates, which could limit your website’s growth potential.

A Step-By-Step Guide to Building a Small Business Website

1) Fall in Love With Your Purpose and Domain Name

Business impact always comes first. Why did you start with this venture anyway? What exactly do you want to happen and what type of change do you want to see? Who are you making products and services for? Whatever your North Star is, that will guide the purpose of your website.

Think of the perfect domain name. It should be memorable, concise, and ideally, include keywords related to your business. It should represent what your brand stands for, so choose wisely.

To check the availability of a domain name, use a domain registrar’s website (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains). Enter your website name of choice, and the registrar will tell you if it’s available, for purchase, or already taken.

Pro tip: Choose a service that has domain privacy protection which can help safeguard your personal information.

2) Prepare Your Website Essentials

Select a web hosting provider with a strong reputation for reliability, security, and customer support. Some hosting services we recommend for business websites in Australia are Bluehost, SiteGround, and HostGator.

Next, decide whether you want to use a pre-made template or invest in a custom design. If you have limited design experience, some business website builders (e.g., Wix, Shopify, Squarespace) offer all-in-one solutions. These platforms provide domain registration, hosting, and website building tools tailored for small businesses.

3) Take Inspiration From Your Competitors

Start by conducting a Google search using keywords relevant to your industry and location. You can also take things one step further by exploring successful business websites in other industries. By broadening your scope, you can discover innovative approaches that help differentiate your website from the competition.

For instance, if you own a boutique coffee shop in the Southern Highlands, specifically Moss Vale, you could search for “best coffee shops in Moss Vale” or “specialty coffee New South Wales.”

As you browse through the search results, pay attention to the overall layout, colour schemes, user experience, and content of your competitors’ websites. Make a list of the elements you find appealing and take note of the features you don’t like.

You can also look for inspiration from popular coffee shops in other areas or major Australian cities like Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth. Look at their menu presentation, online ordering system, customer testimonials, and how they leverage visual elements to showcase their products and atmosphere.

Pro tip: Taking inspiration from competitors doesn’t mean copying their ideas. Use their business websites as a starting point then see what you can do better.

4) Design Initial Pages

Focus on creating the core pages that will serve as the foundation of your online presence. These pages typically include:

• Home page: This is the first impression visitors will have of your business website (remember you never get a second chance at a first impression). Showcase your unique selling points, provide a brief overview of your products or services, and include clear calls to action that guide visitors to relevant sections of your site.
• Products and services: Organise your offerings in a logical and easy-to-navigate manner, making it simple for visitors to find what they’re looking for. Use high-quality images and include pricing.
• About: Use this page to tell your business’s story, share your mission and vision, and introduce your team members. Humanise your brand. 
• Contact: Provide clear contact information (e.g., business address, phone number, email, social media links). Consider adding a contact form to make it easy for visitors to get in touch with you directly through the business website.

5) Invest in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

For a local business in Australia, focusing on local SEO can help you reach your target audience more effectively. You’ll attract more prospects from your area and thus drive more foot traffic, phone calls, and online inquiries.

Imagine you own a dental practice in Melbourne. You’d need to optimise your business website content with location-specific keywords, such as “Melbourne dentist” or “dental clinic in Australia”.

6) Share the Good News

Test your website. See if it works smoothly on various devices and browsers. Once everything’s up and running, it’s time to spread the word and attract prospects.

Announce the launch of your business website on your social media channels. Reach out to local media outlets, bloggers, or influencers in your industry to generate buzz and potentially gain valuable backlinks to your site. You might also want to consider investing in advertising.

Don’t forget to tell your friends and family. They’ll probably want to be your first customer.

How Much Does a Business Website Cost?

It depends. But if I had to give you a ballpark figure, a small business website ranges from $4,000 to $20,000, depending on a multitude of factors. 

For example, taking your own pictures versus hiring a professional photographer can save you a few hundred dollars. The same can be said for graphic design, copywriting, virtual assistance, social media management, backend, support, maintenance, lead generation, SEO strategy, and so forth. A lot goes into the long-term success of a business website. Here’s a rough breakdown of other potential costs:

• DIY website builders: With platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify, you can expect to pay between $20 to $60 per month for a basic plan, including hosting and domain registration. However, prices can increase if you opt for premium features or e-commerce functionalities.
• Custom websites with freelance web designers: If you decide to hire a freelance web designer to create a custom website, costs can range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the designer’s experience and the project scope. This cost usually includes the website development and initial setup but may not cover ongoing maintenance, hosting, content, or domain registration fees.
• Professional web design agencies: Web design services start at AUD 5,000 and go up to AUD 20,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the site and the agency’s expertise. You don’t have to think of anything else. Choose a good agency and you’ll get peace of mind knowing that your business website will do exactly what you need it to do.

Kickstart Your Business Website With Manifest Website Design

Being a business owner means that you’re juggling many hats. If being a website builder sparks joy then, by all means, keep going. It’s always fun learning something new and adding a new skill to your toolkit.

But if creating a business website sounds like a bane, it may make sense to get web design services. Here at Manifest Website Design, we take the time to understand the unique needs of your business. We don’t just make pretty websites – we make them lead generation machines. Interested? Invest in your online presence today.