Small Business Advice
What to Prepare Before Building Your Small Business Website
The biggest delay in many small business website projects is not design or code. It is waiting on content: a service list that is not finished, photos still sitting on someone's phone, or an About section that keeps moving to next week. If you gather a few things before you start, your website can launch sooner and say what you actually want it to say. Here is a practical checklist for Winnipeg small business owners.
1. Business Basics
Gather your business name exactly as you want it shown, phone number, email, address or service area, business hours, social media links and your logo file if you have one. The original logo file is better than a screenshot.
These details should match everywhere your business appears online, including your Google Business Profile. If your name, address or phone number differs between your website, Google and Facebook, now is a good time to clean that up.
2. Your Services
You do not need finished marketing copy. For each main service, write down what it is in plain language, who it is for, a starting price or price range if you are comfortable sharing one, and the questions customers usually ask about it. Those notes become your service content, and the questions become your FAQ.
3. Why Customers Choose You
Think about why someone picks you over the next business in their search results. It might be your experience, a specialty, fast response times, the areas you serve or the languages you speak. Two or three honest, specific reasons are more convincing than a long list of general claims. Only include certifications or memberships you actually hold.
4. Photos
Photos make a big difference to how trustworthy a small business website feels. Useful examples include finished work, your team, your storefront or workspace, your vehicle or equipment, and the owner. A recent smartphone is usually good enough: shoot in daylight, keep the background tidy and take more than you think you need.
Ask permission before publishing recognizable customers or staff, and only use photos you have the right to use.
5. Reviews and Proof
Choose three to five customer reviews you are proud of and that you have permission to feature. Note any licences, warranties or guarantees you offer. If you mention past projects, keep the descriptions accurate.
6. Your Main Goal
Decide what you most want visitors to do: call, request a quote, book online or visit your location. Your website should make that action obvious on every page. When a site tries to push every option equally, visitors often do nothing. Why your website gets traffic but no leads covers this in more detail.
7. Accounts and Access
If you already have a domain, website, business email, Google Business Profile or booking software, find the login details or at least know who set them up. This is often where projects get stuck. A domain registered years ago by a former employee or relative can take time to recover, so check early.
8. Websites You Like
Note two or three websites you like, in any industry, and what you like about them: a simple layout, clear pricing, strong photos or an easy contact form. This helps your designer understand your preferences faster than a description alone.
Missing a Few Items Is Normal
You do not need everything finished before you get in touch. Every Chubbycat Tech Services website starts with a Business & Content Session, where we go through your business together and work out what to say and what is still missing. Copywriting and photo editing are available as quoted add-ons, and on-site visits are available within Winnipeg's Perimeter.
The Business Website package is $399 CAD for the first year for up to five standard pages. See what is included or book a free consultation with whatever you have ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Rough notes are enough to start. During the Business & Content Session we shape them into clear website content together. Full copywriting is available as a quoted add-on if you would rather not write at all.
Start with what you have, even phone photos. Photo editing is available as a quoted add-on, and for businesses within Winnipeg's Perimeter an on-site visit can help capture your space and work.
Timing depends mostly on how quickly content and feedback are ready. When the basics on this checklist are gathered, a simple five-page website can move much faster.
Yes. Many businesses start with their core pages and add more as they grow. Additional pages beyond the package are quoted separately.
Ready to start your website?
Bring what you have, even if it is just your business name and phone number, and we will work out the next steps together.