A Quick Checklist for Local Businesses for Creating Your Website in 2023

As a Long Island small business owner, building your website can seem intimidating and overwhelming, especially when you have tons of other things to do for your business. But like any other big project, when divided into single tasks, the whole process of building your site gets easier and actually becomes empowering for your business.

And for you local business owners, you spend your days supporting and taking care of our communities. Building your website will be cake compared to the work you do helping, healing, and solving the problems of our local residents. You got this!

Here’s a quick checklist of 14 tasks to get you started.

1) Determine your underlying purpose. 

Define the purpose of your website and who your ideal visitor is.

2) Choose your domain name.

Check the availability of possible domain names and purchase one. You can use Bluehost’s domain checker.

3) Decide on a platform.

For example WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace.

4) Browse website templates.

If using Wix or Squarespace you will get access to tons of templates. For WordPress, browse templates on ThemeForest.

5) Select photos of your business. 

Choose the best and highest quality photos of your business (actual real people). If you have the budget, arrange a photoshoot. Check out some of the incredible Long Island photographers part of Love Local Long Island.

6) Create an inspiration board.

Use Pinterest to find styles that resonate: graphics, images, and color palettes.

7) Create a logo out of your name.

Don’t overcomplicate this. Create your logo using Canva by writing out your business name in a legible, professional looking font.

8) Craft an exciting headline and value proposition statement.

This is a short mission statement placed at the top of your homepage explaining what you do and who you help.

9) Write a welcome message for your homepage.

Or better yet, film a 2-minute welcome video.

10) Collect testimonials and reviews.

If you don’t have any, create a simple feedback form with Google Forms and send it to past and current clients.

11) Determine what’s in your site navigation.

You will likely have About, Services, and Contact pages. What other pages will you need?

12) Write your About page.

The About page is usually one of the most viewed pages on a personal site. Make it thoughtful and purposeful but brief.

13) Plan your opt-in strategy.

Use this step to create your lead magnets and determine all the areas on your site to place your email sign-up forms.

14) Write three blog posts.

Aim to have at least three blog posts posted to your website before you launch to fill out your content library.

This list only scratches the surface of all the items you need to account for when creating a website for your local business. But the key is taking one task at a time.

And as always, if you need help, let’s hop on a free call, and I will tell you exactly what you need to do—whether you’re just getting started with your website or want to take it to the next level.