10 Essential Website Tips for Business Owners (No Matter Who's Building It)

You’ve probably heard us say it before—every business needs a website. Whether you're tackling the design yourself, working with us at WR, or hiring another designer, your website is often your first impression. So let’s make it count!

Here are 10 tips every business owner should keep in mind when building (or refreshing) a website:

1. Keep Contact Forms Short and Sweet: No one wants to fill out a form that feels like an application for a mortgage. A name, email or phone number, and a brief message are usually enough to start the conversation. You can gather more details later!

2. Use Testimonials to Build Trust: Reviews from real customers are powerful. They help first-time visitors feel confident in your work and offer social proof that you're the real deal.

3. Optimize Your Meta Descriptions and Page Titles: Search engines pull snippets from your site to display in results—make sure they’re accurate and informative. Instead of a vague "Hi, I'm Nancy!" on your About page, try something like:"Nancy is an interior designer in Smithville specializing in contemporary spaces and custom watercolor art."

4. Keep Layouts Clean and Balanced: A good page balances visuals and text. Too many photos can feel cluttered, and too much text might overwhelm readers. Aim for clarity and breathing room.

5. Include Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs): Direct your visitors! Whether it's "Subscribe," "Contact Us," or "Shop Now," make sure buttons and links are visible and encourage engagement.

6. Make Navigation User-Friendly: Your site should be easy to explore. Avoid broken links and complicated menus. If a visitor can’t find what they’re looking for in seconds, they'll likely leave.

7. Prioritize Accessibility: Choose readable fonts, high-contrast colors, and simple layouts. Your site should be easy to use for everyone, including those with visual or cognitive challenges.

8. Keep Galleries Simple and Sophisticated: We love a good Portfolio page! Use consistent photo sizes and layouts to showcase your work in a clean, polished way.

9. Tag Your Photos Properly: Don’t leave your images with default filenames like "IMG_1234." Instead, use descriptive tags like “Atlanta wedding florist” to boost your SEO and help people find you online.

10. Make Sure Your Site Is Mobile-Friendly: Your website should look great on phones, tablets, and desktops. Mobile compatibility isn’t automatic, but it’s essential—most visitors will see your site on their phones first.

Need help or want more ideas? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you!