Introduction
You’ve decided your business needs a website. That’s a good decision. But what now? How do you go from “I need a website” to actually having one that works for your business?
This guide walks you through what you need to think about and prepare before talking to web designers or starting to build.
Before You Start
Why Do You Need a Website?
Different goals mean different websites:
Be Found Online
- Show up in Google searches
- Provide basic business information
- Give people confidence you exist
Showcase Your Work
- Portfolio of projects
- Before and after examples
- Demonstrate quality
Generate Leads
- Contact forms
- Quote requests
- Enquiry capture
Sell Products
- Online store
- Product catalogue
- Payment processing
Provide Information
- Answer common questions
- Share resources
- Build authority
Know your main goal. It shapes everything else.
Who Is Your Website For?
Think about your customers:
Demographics
- Age range
- Location (Western Sydney focus?)
- Technical comfort level
- How they’ll access (phone vs computer)
What They Want
- Quick answers
- Trust signals
- Easy contact
- Specific information
Your website should work for them, not just look good to you.
What You’ll Need
Business Information
Essential Details
- Business name
- Contact phone number
- Email address
- Physical address (if applicable)
- Business hours
- Service area
About Your Business
- What you do
- How long you’ve been operating
- What makes you different
- Your approach or values
Content
Text Content
- Description of services/products
- About page content
- Answers to common questions
- Any policies (returns, privacy)
Images
- Photos of your work
- Photos of your team (optional but helpful)
- Photos of your location (if relevant)
- Product images (if applicable)
Tip: Real photos beat stock photos every time for local businesses.
Domain Name
Your website address (e.g., yourbusiness.com.au):
- Should match or relate to your business name
- Keep it short and easy to remember
- .com.au is best for Australian businesses
- Check availability before committing
If you don’t have one yet, your web designer can help secure one.
Branding
If You Have It
- Logo files
- Brand colours
- Fonts you use
- Existing marketing materials
If You Don’t
That’s okay. Many web designers can help with basic branding, or you can start simple and develop it later.
Planning Your Website
Essential Pages
Most Small Business Websites Need:
- Homepage - What you do, who you are, how to contact
- About - Your story, team, why choose you
- Services/Products - What you offer
- Contact - How to reach you
Optional Pages
- Gallery/Portfolio
- Testimonials
- FAQ
- Blog
- Pricing
- Individual service pages
Start with the essentials. Add more later.
Features to Consider
Must Have
- Mobile-friendly design
- Contact information easy to find
- Basic contact form
- Google Maps (if you have a location)
Nice to Have
- Online booking
- Live chat
- Customer reviews display
- Social media integration
Maybe Later
- Online store
- Customer portal
- Advanced booking systems
- Membership areas
Don’t over-complicate the first version.
Finding a Web Designer
Where to Look
Local Options
- Web designers in Western Sydney
- Recommendations from other business owners
- Local business networks
Online Options
- Freelance platforms
- Web design agencies
- DIY website builders
Questions to Ask
- Can you show me sites you’ve built for similar businesses?
- What’s included in the price?
- How long will it take?
- Who hosts the website and what does that cost?
- Will I be able to update it myself?
- What happens after launch?
What to Watch For
Good Signs
- Asks questions about your business
- Explains things clearly
- Shows relevant examples
- Provides written quote
Warning Signs
- Says yes to everything without asking questions
- Vague about pricing
- Can’t show local examples
- Pushes you to decide quickly
Budget Expectations
Typical Costs for Small Business Sites
Basic Business Website
- 5-10 pages
- Standard design
- Contact form
- Mobile-friendly
- Range: $1,500-$4,000
Professional Business Website
- Custom design
- More pages/features
- SEO setup
- Quality photography included
- Range: $4,000-$8,000
Complex or E-commerce
- Online store
- Booking systems
- Custom functionality
- Range: $8,000+
Ongoing Costs
Essential
- Domain name: ~$15-50/year
- Hosting: ~$15-50/month
- SSL certificate: Often included
Optional
- Maintenance and updates
- Content changes
- Security monitoring
- SEO services
Budget for both upfront and ongoing costs.
Working with Your Designer
Your Responsibilities
Before Starting
- Provide content and images
- Answer questions about your business
- Be available for discussions
During Build
- Review progress promptly
- Provide feedback clearly
- Make decisions when needed
- Gather testimonials/reviews
After Launch
- Test everything
- Learn how to use the admin
- Keep content updated
Communication Tips
- Be clear about what you want
- Don’t disappear for weeks
- Trust their expertise (but speak up if something’s wrong)
- Get things in writing
DIY Options
Website Builders
Options
- Wix
- Squarespace
- Shopify (for stores)
- WordPress.com
Pros
- Lower upfront cost
- You control everything
- Quick to get started
Cons
- Your time investment
- Limited customisation
- May look generic
- Less support
When DIY Makes Sense
- Very tight budget
- Simple needs
- Comfortable with technology
- Time available to learn
When to Get Help
- You don’t have time
- You want professional results
- The website is important to your business
- You need specific functionality
Getting Ready to Start
Preparation Checklist
Before contacting web designers:
- Clear on website goal
- Know your target customers
- Have business information ready
- Basic content drafted
- Some photos gathered
- Domain name chosen (or ideas)
- Budget range in mind
- Timeline expectations set
Next Steps
- Prepare what you can
- Get quotes from 2-3 designers
- Compare approaches and pricing
- Check references
- Make decision
- Start the project
Conclusion
Getting a business website doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with clear goals, prepare your content, find a good web designer, and work together to build something that serves your business.
For Western Sydney businesses, a good website helps local customers find you, trust you, and contact you. That’s worth doing well.
Take time to prepare properly, and the process will be smoother for everyone.
Your website’s performance depends on what’s behind it. Cloud Geeks provides the managed hosting and IT support that keeps everything running smoothly.
This article is brought to you by Ganda Tech Services — Sydney’s complete digital solutions provider covering cloud, web, and mobile.