Starting a Small Business Website
Published: 5 January 2026
A small business website is often your first impression online. Building a clear, accessible, and professional site helps attract and retain customers. Proper planning ensures your website reflects your brand and works effectively from day one.
If you're unsure where to start, Newstead Web Designs specialises in supporting Australian small businesses with hand-coded websites that are professional, responsive, and easy to maintain.
1. Define Your Website Goals
Identify what you want your website to achieve:
- Showcase products or services
- Provide business information (hours, location, contact)
- Capture leads or inquiries
- Reflect your brand identity online
2. Choose the Right Website Platform
Select a solution that suits your needs and growth plans:
- Custom hand-coded website – flexible, scalable, fully branded
- Website builder – faster to launch, less technical setup
- Reliable hosting – secure, fast, and easy to maintain
3. Focus on User Experience
A user-friendly website keeps visitors engaged and encourages action:
- Simple, intuitive navigation
- Readable content with clear calls-to-action
- Responsive design for mobile and tablet users
4. Make Your Website Accessible
Ensure everyone can use your site, including people with disabilities:
- Readable fonts and sufficient contrast
- Descriptive alt text for images
- Keyboard and screen reader-friendly navigation
5. Optimise for Search Engines
SEO helps potential customers find your website:
- Descriptive headings and content
- Fast loading and clean code
- Structured content for users and search engines
6. Plan for Ongoing Maintenance
Keep your website secure, functional, and up-to-date:
- Update software and plugins regularly
- Monitor performance and fix issues
- Refresh content and visuals to stay relevant
Useful Resources
Official Australian resources to help small business owners get started.
Custom Websites, Built for Your Business
Let’s build a professional, hand-coded website that showcases your brand, captivates your audience, and helps your business grow.