You can build a business website yourself using a website builder, and most people finish in a few hours

You do not need to know code or hire a developer. Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, and WordPress.com let you drag text and images into templates, then publish to the internet. You pick a domain name (the address people type), choose a template that matches your business type, add your information, and the site goes live. The whole process takes a few hours to a few days depending on how much content you write.

The main choice is between builders that focus on simplicity (Wix, Squarespace) and those that offer more control but require more learning (WordPress.com, Shopify if you sell products). All of them handle the technical parts you do not want to think about — hosting, security updates, making your site work on phones. You pay a monthly fee, usually between $10 and $30 for a basic business site, though some offer free plans with limitations.

Key Takeaways

  • Website builders handle all the technical setup, so you only need to add your business information and images into a template.
  • Wix and Squarespace are the easiest to learn if you have never built a website; WordPress.com and Shopify give you more options but take longer to master.
  • A basic business site costs $10 to $30 per month, and you need to buy a domain name separately (usually $10 to $15 per year) unless the builder includes one.
  • You should plan what pages you need — Home, About, Services or Products, Contact — before you start building, so you do not waste time redesigning later.
  • Most builders let you change your design later, so your first version does not have to be perfect.

Choosing between website builders

Wix and Squarespace are the fastest to learn. Both show you a template, let you click on any text or image to change it, and handle everything else behind the scenes. Wix has more templates and lower starting prices ($14 per month for a basic plan). Squarespace templates look more polished and modern, but cost more ($16 per month). Neither requires you to understand how websites work — you just edit what you see.

WordPress.com is free to start but gives you less control on the free plan. The paid plans ($4 to $25 per month) let you customize more, but the interface is more confusing if you have never used WordPress before. Use WordPress.com if you plan to write a blog alongside your business information, or if you think you will want to change your design significantly later.

Shopify is built for selling products online. It costs $39 per month at minimum and includes tools for inventory, payments, and shipping. Use Shopify only if you are selling physical or digital products. If you just need a business card site with your hours and contact information, Shopify is overkill.

For most small businesses starting out, Wix or Squarespace will get you online fastest. If you are selling products, start with Shopify. If you want to write regular blog posts, WordPress.com is worth learning.

What pages your business website needs

Plan your site structure before you open the builder. Most small business sites need four to six pages: a Home page that explains what you do in one sentence, an About page with your story and credentials, a Services or Products page listing what you offer, and a Contact page with your phone number, email, or a form. If you have a physical location, add a Location page with your address and hours. If you write regularly, add a Blog page.

Write down what you want to say on each page before you start building. For the Home page, write one sentence describing your business and one sentence about why someone should choose you. For the About page, write two or three sentences about yourself and why you started the business. For Services, list each service and write two to three sentences explaining what it includes. This takes 30 minutes and saves you hours of staring at a blank page in the builder.

Do not add pages you do not need. A Testimonials page is useful only if you have real customer quotes. A Team page is useful only if you have employees. Start with the four core pages and add more later if you find you need them.

Setting up your domain name

Your domain name is the address people type into their browser — for example, janeplumbing.com or janeplumbing.net. You need to buy one, and it costs $10 to $15 per year. Most website builders let you buy a domain directly through them during setup, which is the easiest route. Some builders include a free domain for the first year if you pay for an annual plan.

When choosing a domain name, use your business name if it is available. If not, add a location (janeplumbingboston.com) or a descriptor (janeemergencyplumbing.com). Avoid numbers and hyphens — they are hard to remember and hard to say out loud. Check that the .com version is available; .net and .co are alternatives, but .com is what most people assume.

You can buy your domain through the website builder or through a separate registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap. Buying through the builder is simpler because it connects automatically. Buying separately gives you more control if you ever switch builders later, but that is not a concern when you are starting out.

Adding your business information and images

Once you have chosen a template and bought your domain, you edit the template by clicking on each section. Click on the headline to change it to your business name. Click on the description to change it to your tagline. Click on images to upload your own photos. Every builder works this way — the specific buttons change, but the concept is the same.

Use clear, recent photos of your business, your products, or yourself. A photo of your face on the About page builds trust. A photo of your work or products on the Home page shows what you do. Avoid stock photos that look generic — a real photo of your actual business is always better. If you do not have good photos, take them yourself with your phone. Lighting and focus matter more than expensive equipment.

Write your text in plain language. Explain what you do in words a customer would use, not industry jargon. "We fix leaky pipes and install new plumbing" is better than "We provide comprehensive plumbing solutions." Short sentences are easier to read on a phone. Avoid long paragraphs — break them into two or three sentences each.

Publishing your site and what happens next

When you finish editing, the builder has a Publish button. Click it, and your site goes live on the internet. People can now visit your domain name and see your site. This usually takes a few minutes to an hour for the domain to start working everywhere.

After you publish, your site is not finished — you can edit it anytime. Change text, swap images, add pages, or redesign the whole thing. Most builders let you make changes without taking the site down, so your visitors see the updated version immediately. Do not wait until everything is perfect to publish. Publish when it is good enough, then improve it over time.

Tell people your site exists. Add the link to your email signature, your social media profiles, and any business cards or flyers you print. If you are a local business, add your site to Google Business Profile so people can find you when they search your business name or your service in your area. This takes 10 minutes and brings you real customers.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not choose a template based on how it looks on a computer. Open it on your phone and make sure the text is readable and the images look good. Most of your visitors will be on phones. If the template does not work on a phone, pick a different one — all builders test their templates on phones, so this is not a technical problem, just a design choice.

Do not write too much. A visitor should understand what you do in 10 seconds on your Home page. If they have to scroll through paragraphs of text, they will leave. Use short sentences, white space, and images to break up text.

Do not forget a way for people to contact you. Add your phone number and email address on every page, or at least on the Contact page. Add a contact form if the builder offers one — some people prefer to fill out a form rather than send an email. Make sure you actually check the form submissions; if someone fills out your form and you never respond, you have lost a customer.

Do not publish and forget. Update your site every few months. Add new photos, update your hours or services, or write a blog post. A site that has not changed in two years looks abandoned. A site that changes regularly tells visitors you are still in business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know HTML or CSS to build a website?

No. Website builders handle all the code for you. You only click and type. If you want to learn code later, WordPress.com lets you edit code, but you do not need to for a basic business site.

Can I move my site to a different builder later?

Yes, but it takes work. Most builders let you export your content, though the design and layout usually do not transfer perfectly. Start with the builder that fits your needs now, and do not worry about switching later unless you have a specific reason to.

What if I want to sell products on my site?

Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com all have built-in shop features. Shopify is more powerful if you plan to sell a lot of products. For a few items, any builder works fine. You will need to set up a payment processor like Stripe or PayPal so customers can pay you.

How much does it cost to keep a website running?

A basic plan costs $10 to $30 per month, plus $10 to $15 per year for your domain name. Some builders offer free plans with their branding on your site, which works if you are just starting out. As your business grows, upgrade to a paid plan so you own your site fully.

Can I build a website on my phone?

Most builders have mobile apps, but building on a phone is slow and frustrating. Use a computer or tablet if you can. You can edit small things on your phone later, but do the main building work on a larger screen.