A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Your Business Online

How to stop overthinking, start building – and finally have a website you’re proud to share

Let’s be honest: getting your business online can feel a bit overwhelming, can’t it?

One minute you’re just thinking, “I probably need a website,” and the next thing you know you’re knee-deep in jargon, wondering what on earth DNS records, SSL certificates, and SEO even mean. Add to that the hundreds of website builders, design agencies, and conflicting advice out there… and it’s no wonder so many small business owners quietly close the laptop and decide to “deal with it next month.”

But here’s the truth: getting online doesn’t have to be hard, expensive, or something you need a degree in tech to manage.

In fact, we created 99 Quid Websites for people exactly like you – the small business owner who just wants a brilliant, functional website that works, without spending thousands or pulling your hair out.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what you need to know (and what you don’t), so you can stop feeling stuck and start getting found online.

Why Getting Online Matters (Even If You’re Already Busy with Word of Mouth)

We hear this all the time:

“I’m busy already – do I really need a website?”

And we get it. If you’ve built up a solid word-of-mouth reputation, had repeat customers, and are ticking along nicely… it can feel like a website is just another “nice to have.”

But here’s the thing: people still Google you. Even if they’ve heard your name from a friend, even if they follow you on Instagram – they’ll still type your business name into a search bar. And what do they find?

If it’s nothing… they might assume you’re not legit. If it’s a random Facebook page you haven’t updated since 2019, they might move on. If it’s a competitor with a clean, professional site? They might call them instead.

Your website is your digital front door. It’s open 24/7. It makes you look credible, professional, and trustworthy – even while you’re tucked up in bed or out on a job.

And no, you don’t need a “fancy” site with dancing buttons and music in the background. You just need a clear, well-designed page that tells people what you do, how to get in touch, and why they should choose you.

Step 1: Start With the Basics – What Do You Want Your Website to Do?

Before we build anything, we ask our customers one simple question:
“What do you want your website to do for your business?”

Because the truth is, you don’t need everything. You need what’s right for you.

Here are some examples of what we’ve built websites for:

• A mobile dog groomer who just needed a place for customers to book slots and see prices.

• A decorator who wanted a gallery of his work and a form where people could request a quote.

• A cake baker who wanted to take orders online and showcase her best designs.

• A local driving instructor who wanted a page for students to leave reviews and check lesson availability.

Your website should be designed around your goals. That’s why we work with you directly to make sure it does the job you need it to – without unnecessary fluff.

Step 2: Skip the Tech Overwhelm (We’ll Handle the Complicated Bits)

You know what doesn’t help a small business owner? A ten-page checklist full of technical waffle. You’re running a business – you don’t have time to faff about with hosting, platforms, mobile optimisation, image compression, and search indexing.

So we don’t ask you to.
When you work with 99 Quid Websites, we take care of the tech for you. Everything from setup to security, making sure your site looks great on phones, and getting it found on Google – it’s all included.

You don’t need to learn a new platform or waste hours Googling “how to make a contact form.” It’s built for you. Done and dusted.

Step 3: Say Goodbye to Generic Templates

Let’s talk design.

You might’ve seen those DIY website builders that offer hundreds of templates – but somehow, they all end up looking… the same. Bland. Impersonal. A bit like a spreadsheet wearing lipstick.

We do things differently. Your business isn’t generic, so your website shouldn’t be either. With 99 Quid Websites, you get a bespoke design based on your business, your branding, and your personality.

We ask what colours you like, what kind of vibe you want, and what examples you love. Then we bring that vision to life. And if you don’t know what you want? Don’t worry – we’ll guide you.

Step 4: Content That Sounds Like You (Not a Robot)

Let’s be real – writing about yourself can be cringey. You want to sound professional, but not boring. Friendly, but not like you’re trying too hard.

And yes, Google cares about content too – but that doesn’t mean stuffing your page with buzzwords and nonsense.

We help with that as well. If you’re stuck on what to say, we’ll help craft your content so it ticks all the right boxes:
✅ Search engine friendly
✅ Sounds like a real person (you!)
✅ Explains what you do clearly
✅ Encourages people to take action

Because at the end of the day, your website should help people say “YES, this is the business I’ve been looking for.”

Step 5: Getting Found on Google (Without Paying for Ads)

No, you don’t need to pay for ads to get traffic to your website. What you do need is smart, simple local SEO – that’s “search engine optimisation” – so when someone Googles “hairdresser in Braintree” or “mobile mechanic in Southend,” your site has a shot at showing up.

We build that into every 99 Quid Website. Your page titles, descriptions, headings and text are optimised for what your ideal customer is actually searching for. No guesswork. No fluff. Just solid, sensible setup.

Why We Built 99 Quid Websites

We’ve worked in the online world for years, and we kept seeing the same problem:
Small business owners being ripped off by overpriced agencies…
Or stuck with half-built DIY sites they didn’t know how to finish…
Or paying monthly fees for websites they couldn’t update, change, or even understand.

So we thought – what if we made it easy?
What if we offered a professionally built website, that looks amazing, includes the techy stuff, and doesn’t cost a fortune?
And so, 99 Quid Websites was born.

FAQ: What You Might Be Wondering

💬 “Is it really just £99?”
Yes! That covers your first website build – including design, setup, and launch. After that, we offer optional monthly hosting and support (because websites do need looking after), but there are no hidden costs or sneaky surprises.

💬 “Do I need to write the content myself?”
Nope. If you have wording, brilliant – we’ll use it. If not, we can help write it for you based on what you tell us about your business. We’re great at turning notes and conversations into lovely, readable content.

💬 “Can I update it myself later?”
You can – but you don’t have to. We keep things simple. Need something changed? Just send us a message and we’ll sort it for you.

💬 “Will it show up on Google?”
Yes, we build all our websites with basic SEO best practices so you can be found online. And if you want to take it further later, we can help with that too.

💬 “How long does it take?”
Most websites go live within a week once we’ve got everything we need from you (like your logo, pictures, and a quick call or email chat to understand your business).

💬 “Do I need a domain name already?”
If you’ve got one, great. If not, we’ll help you choose and register one.

💬 “What about email addresses?”
We can help set up a professional email address too, like info@yourbusiness.co.uk – just ask.

A Quick Story Before You Go…

One of our favourite clients, Tony the tiler from Benfleet, had been “meaning to get a website” for six years. He’d tried a few of those build-it-yourself platforms but gave up halfway every time – usually around the bit where it asked him to “link your DNS to your hosting.”

Tony doesn’t know what a DNS is. He just wants to show people his work, get a few more local jobs, and look professional when someone Googles him.

So he called us. We built him a clean, sharp-looking website in a few days, added before-and-after shots of his work, and made it dead easy for people to contact him.

Now, instead of fumbling for photos on his phone or sending people to a dusty Facebook page, he just says:

“Yeah, check out my work on my website – there’s a form there if you want a quote.”

That’s the power of a good website.

Ready to Get Online?

You don’t need to spend thousands.
You don’t need to learn tech.
You just need a team that listens, understands what you need, and makes it easy.

So if you’re ready to finally get your business online – and do it properly – we’d love to help.

👉 Contact us today to get started with your £99 website

We’ll take care of the website. You take care of business.