Building Your First Website? Read This Before You Start

If you’re a UK small business owner and you’re finally ready to take the plunge and get your first website built — brilliant. You’re in the right place.

This post is for you if:

• You’ve been “meaning to sort a website” for months (or even years),

• You’re fed up relying on social media or word-of-mouth alone,

• You want something professional that doesn’t cost the earth,

• You’ve no idea what to expect — or what’s even essential when it comes to websites.

Think of this post like a cuppa and a catch-up with a friend who’s built websites for all sorts of businesses — from plumbers to florists to hairdressers to accountants. We’ll walk through what you need, what to avoid, common mistakes, and everything in between.

And yes — we’ll talk about cost, scams, and how to get a brilliant website for just £99 (yes, really). Let’s get into it.

Why Your First Website Matters More Than You Think

Your website is often the first impression someone will get of your business. Before they pick up the phone. Before they fill in your enquiry form. Before they book. They’ll Google you.

If nothing shows up, or if what does show up looks like it was made in 2004 during a lunch break… well, it doesn’t build confidence.

We’ve heard it all:

• “I get loads of work from Facebook” — until Meta decides to change the algorithm.

• “I’m too busy for a website” — until you’re not, and then you’re scrabbling for leads.

• “It’s too expensive” — until you realise how many sales you’ve missed.

A good first website helps you:

• Get found on Google,

• Answer customer questions (before they ask),

• Look trustworthy and credible,

• Capture leads or bookings while you sleep.

It doesn’t have to be flashy. It just has to work. Let’s talk about how to make that happen.

What Your First Website Actually Needs

Forget the jargon. Forget the bells and whistles. Your first business website needs to tick a few key boxes.

1. A Clear Message About What You Do

Sounds obvious, right? But you’d be surprised how many sites waffle on without ever saying what they offer. You need a simple headline or intro that says:

“We’re a dog grooming business in Colchester offering pampering sessions for pooches of all shapes and sizes.”

2. Your Contact Info Front and Centre

Make it easy for people to get in touch. Not just via a form — include your phone number and email too. If you have a physical premises, your address and a Google Map helps build trust.

3. Services or Products Page

Spell out what you offer. Bullet points. Prices if you can. People want to know what they’re getting — and if they’re your kind of customer. Don’t make them guess.

4. About You

People buy from people. Even if it’s just you on your own, or you and your partner, a short “About” section helps customers feel connected. A photo helps too (no, it doesn’t have to be perfect).

5. Testimonials or Reviews

Social proof makes all the difference. Grab a few kind words from happy customers and pop them on your site. Even better if you’ve got a star rating on Google.

6. A Simple Design That Works on Mobile

Over 70% of website visits in the UK happen on a mobile phone. So your site has to look great and be easy to use on a tiny screen. We make sure that happens with every 99 Quid Website build.

7. Fast Loading

If it takes more than 3 seconds to load, people get fed up and leave. (It’s brutal, but true.) That’s why we host your site on fast, reliable servers.

What to Avoid With Your First Website

Now you know what to include — let’s cover some things to steer clear of.

❌ Trying to Do It All Yourself (Unless You Really Know What You’re Doing)

DIY site builders can be a false economy. You’ll spend hours fiddling, the result might not be professional, and you’ll still need to pay for hosting, domains, security…

For £99, we can build the whole thing for you — professionally and fast.

❌ Overcomplicating It

Your first site isn’t the time for fancy animations, a hundred pages, or a blog you won’t keep up with. Start simple. Build from there.

❌ Paying £1000+ for a “Starter Site”

You’d be shocked how many business owners come to us after being quoted eye-watering amounts for basic websites. Unless you need a full e-commerce system or booking platform with custom integrations, a few hundred quid max is plenty.

❌ Ignoring SEO

If your site doesn’t show up on Google, you’ve got a pretty online leaflet no one ever sees. SEO is part of every website we build — right from the start.

Real Talk: A Tale of Two First Websites

Let’s talk about Alan, a roofer from Basildon. Alan spent £2,000 on a website from a local agency. It took six months, had jargon all over it, and it still didn’t show up in search.

Compare that to Charlotte, a mobile beauty therapist in Grays. She came to us. We had her website up in under a week, it ranked on Google for “eyelash extensions in Grays” within a month, and she now gets two new enquiries a week — all from the site.

Both were first websites. One drained the budget. The other delivered results.

Why 99 Quid Websites Work for First-Time Business Owners

You’ve probably guessed by now, we’re the 99 Quid Website Company — and yes, we really do build business websites for £99.

Why? Because we believe every UK small business deserves a smart, functional, and trustworthy online presence — without breaking the bank.

Here’s how it works:

• You choose a layout (we’ll guide you),

• We get your info and images,

• We build and launch your site in around 7 days.

Simple, stress-free, and fully supported. No confusing dashboards. No tech headaches. Just a website that works.

FAQs: What Most First-Time Website Owners Ask

❓ Do I need to write all the content myself?

Not necessarily. We can help with that. If you send over rough ideas, we’ll turn it into friendly, clear, customer-ready content.

❓ Can I update the website later?

Yes, absolutely. You’ll get access to make changes if you like, or we can update it for you as part of our support package.

❓ Will it work on my phone?

Yes. Every site we build is mobile-friendly as standard — it has to be in 2025.

❓ Will people find me on Google?

Yes — we build your site with search engines in mind. If you want to go even further, we offer affordable SEO support too.

❓ Do I need a logo?

It helps, but if you don’t have one, we can use a simple text-based design or help you create something basic to get started.

❓ Can I get email addresses too?

Yes. We can help set up a professional email (e.g. hello@yourbusiness.co.uk) to match your new site.

❓ I’ve got a Facebook page — do I still need a website?

Yes. Social media is borrowed space. Your website is your own. It makes you look more credible and helps people find you without relying on algorithms.

The Emotional Bit: It’s More Than Just a Website

We’ve worked with hundreds of business owners over the years, and here’s what we’ve seen time and time again:

When someone gets their first proper website — something shifts.

• They feel more legit.

• They’re proud to send people to their site.

• They start marketing themselves more confidently.

It’s not just a website. It’s the start of a new chapter.

You deserve to show up online in a way that reflects how good you are offline. We’d love to help you make that happen.

Before You Go: A Quick Website Checklist

Thinking about taking the next step? Here’s what you’ll want to have ready (don’t panic — we’ll help if you’re stuck):

• ✅ Your business name and contact details

• ✅ A rough list of what you do or sell

• ✅ A few photos (your work, you, your premises)

• ✅ Any reviews or testimonials

• ✅ Your goals — what do you want your website to do?

Ready to Get Started?

If you’ve read this far, it probably means you’re serious about getting your first website sorted. So let’s make it happen.

📞 Contact us today at 07816 528421 or click here

We’ll chat about your business, your goals, and get your site up and running — for just £99.

No stress. No pressure. Just your business online, finally.

You’ve waited long enough. Let’s build something brilliant.