Every January, thousands of business owners write “sort the website” on their to-do list. By March, most of them still haven’t started. Not because they don’t want to. Because they didn’t plan properly and the whole thing felt overwhelming.
A new website isn’t something you can just throw money at and hope it turns out well. But it isn’t rocket science either. With a bit of planning over Christmas, you can hit January ready to go instead of staring at a blank page wondering where to begin.
Work out what’s wrong with what you’ve got
Before you decide you need a completely new website, figure out what’s actually broken. Sometimes a few targeted fixes will get you further for less money.
Ask yourself: Is the site bringing in any enquiries? Can people find you on Google? Does it work on a phone? Is the information still accurate? Does it reflect what your business does now, or what it did three years ago? Are you embarrassed to send people to it?
If the bones are good and it just needs updating, say that to whoever you hire. A good designer will tell you honestly whether you need a rebuild or a refresh.
If you want a proper answer, a free business audit will tell you exactly where your current site stands.
Set clear goals
“I want a nice-looking website” isn’t a goal. It’s a wish. And it’s why so many website projects end up looking lovely but doing nothing.
A goal needs to be measurable. I want five new enquiries per month. I want to rank on page one for “boiler installation Oldham.” I want customers to request quotes through the website instead of ringing up. I want to reduce phone calls asking basic questions by putting answers on the site.
Notice none of these are about colours or fonts. Those things matter, but they’re means to an end. Start with what you want the website to do for your business.
Budget realistically
A proper business website that generates enquiries costs money. Not always a fortune, but more than three hundred quid from a bloke on Facebook Marketplace.
For most small businesses, a good web design project falls between two and seven thousand pounds. That gets you custom design, mobile-friendly build, proper SEO foundations, and a site built to convert visitors.
On top of the build, budget for hosting (ten to fifty pounds a month), domain renewal (about fifteen pounds a year), professional photography (two to five hundred pounds), ongoing maintenance (thirty to a hundred pounds a month), and SEO if you want to grow rankings (three hundred pounds a month upward).
If your budget is tight, be upfront about it. A good designer will tell you what’s achievable rather than over-promising.
Gather your content early
Content is the number one thing that delays website projects. The designer has the site built and ready. The client hasn’t written a word or taken a single photo. The project stalls for weeks.
Start gathering content now, over the Christmas break, while things are quieter.
Text you’ll need: What your business does (homepage), your story (about page), descriptions of each service, testimonials from happy customers, answers to common questions, and your contact details.
Photos you’ll need: Your team, your premises, your products or examples of work, and any certifications or accreditations.
Real photos beat stock every time. A smartphone photo of your actual workshop is worth more than a studio shot of someone else’s.
Choose the right partner
Not all web designers are the same. Look for a portfolio of professional work, experience with similar-sized businesses, a clear process they can explain in plain English, transparent pricing, and references from previous clients.
Avoid anyone with no portfolio, vague pricing, too-good-to-be-true promises (“page one of Google in two weeks”), who wants to own your domain, or who can’t explain their process. And never pay everything upfront — a deposit of thirty to fifty per cent is normal.
Set a realistic timeline
A simple business website takes three to six weeks to build once everything is in place. Add content gathering, feedback rounds, and approvals, and a realistic timeline from first conversation to launch is six to ten weeks.
If you want a new site live by early March, you need to be having conversations with designers now.
A rough January-start timeline:
- Late December / early January: Conversations, gathering content, getting quotes
- Mid-January: Choose a designer, sign off the proposal, pay the deposit
- Late January / February: Wireframes, visual design, feedback rounds
- Late February / early March: Development, testing, content entry
- March: Launch
A quick planning checklist
Before you speak to any designer, have answers to these:
- What does your business do, and who are your ideal customers?
- What do you want the website to achieve?
- What’s your budget range?
- When do you need it live?
- Do you have a logo and brand guidelines?
- What content can you provide, and what do you need help with?
Having these ready makes every conversation more productive and gets you accurate quotes faster.
Don’t overthink it
The biggest enemy of getting your website sorted isn’t budget or time. It’s overthinking. Spending so long researching and deliberating that another year goes by and the old site is still there, quietly not generating any enquiries.
Done is better than perfect. A solid website that goes live in March will do more for your business than a perfect one you’re still planning in September.
Pick a designer you trust. Give them a clear brief. Provide your content on time. Launch. Then improve based on real data.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start planning a new website?
If you want a site live in early spring, start in December or January. A typical small business website takes six to ten weeks from first conversation to launch. Starting in January gives you a realistic March or April launch.
How much should I budget for a new business website?
For a professionally designed, mobile-friendly site with five to ten pages and basic SEO, budget two to seven thousand pounds for the build. Then factor in hosting (ten to fifty pounds per month), maintenance (thirty to a hundred), and optionally SEO (three hundred upward). The exact cost depends on complexity.
What’s the biggest mistake businesses make with new websites?
Not having content ready. The design and build can be done in a few weeks, but projects regularly stall for months waiting for text and photos. Start gathering content as early as possible.
Do I need a completely new website or can my current one be fixed?
It depends on what’s wrong. If it looks dated, doesn’t work on mobile, and is built on an old platform, a rebuild is usually better value. If the structure is sound and it just needs updated content, better photos, and SEO work, a targeted refresh can deliver great results for less money.