Most small business websites in Wollongong look fine and still bring in nothing. If your site gets visitors but the phone stays quiet, the problem is rarely how it looks. It is usually what the site is missing.
I have built websites for Illawarra businesses for over 15 years. This is what good small business web design looks like when the goal is more calls, not just a nicer home page.
Prefer to listen? Hear this as a podcast episode on The Service Hub.
What is small business web design, really?
It is not a smaller version of a big company website. A big company wants brand awareness. A small business in Wollongong wants the phone to ring, the quote form to fill up, and the right jobs to come in.
So the design starts with one question: what does a customer need to see before they will call you? Everything on the site either helps answer that or gets in the way.
What does a small business website need?
Seven things do most of the work.
- A phone number you can tap, visible on every screen. Most of your visitors are on a phone, and many of them are ready to call right now.
- One page for each main service. A single "Services" page that lists everything gives Google nothing to rank. A page about hot water repairs can show up when someone searches for hot water repairs.
- The areas you work in, said plainly. Name Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama or the suburbs you actually cover, so both customers and Google know you are local.
- Real photos of your work and your team. People can tell stock photos from the real thing, and real photos build trust faster than any sentence can.
- Your reviews on the page. A customer who reads what other locals said about you is far more likely to call.
- A short quote form that works. Three or four fields, tested regularly, so an enquiry never goes missing.
- Speed. If the page takes too long to load on a phone, a lot of people leave before they ever see it.
This is how I approach every web design project in Wollongong.
Why does my website not show up on Google?
A website on its own is not enough. Google needs to connect your site to your business and your area.
That means page titles written around what people search, a Google Business Profile that is filled in properly and linked to the site, and your business name, address and phone number matching everywhere they appear online.
When those pieces line up, your site and your Google Maps listing start helping each other, so that a search for your service in your suburb is more likely to show you. Maps changes can show within weeks. Rankings in the normal results usually take three to six months of steady work.
What does small business web design cost in Wollongong?
Most of the small business websites I build cost $999 to $2,500 plus GST as a one off, depending on the number of pages and features. Hosting and maintenance is $60 a month.
You get a fixed quote up front and there is no lock in contract. A standard five page site takes one to two weeks to build once I have your photos. I write the words, so you do not have to.
If you want a number for your own business, the website cost calculator gives you an estimate in about a minute. For the wider picture, see how much a website costs in Australia.
Should I build it myself or hire someone?
A website builder is fine if you only need an online business card. If you need the site to win work, the gap shows up quickly. Do it yourself sites often load slowly, miss the setup Google looks for, and take 40 to 80 hours of your own time to put together.
A good test: if one or two extra jobs a month would cover the cost of a proper site, it is worth having it built properly.
Common questions
How many pages does a small business website need?
Usually a home page, a page for each main service, an about page, a reviews page and a contact page. Add area pages only for places you really work in.
Can you fix my current website instead of starting again?
Often, yes. If the structure is sound I can improve what you have. If it is not, I will tell you plainly and explain why a rebuild is the better spend.
Do I need to write the content?
No. You send photos of your work and I write the words.
Who do I deal with?
Me. There is no call centre and no account manager. You deal directly with Mark at every step.
Ready to see where your website stands?
Take the free 15 second lead score quiz, or call me on 0416 910 023, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. I am based in Shell Cove and work with small businesses across Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and the wider Illawarra.
SuccessWithMark.Rocks, Web Design and Marketing Specialist
Southern Cross Blvd, Shell Cove NSW 2529
0416 910 023
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