Introduction
By now, it’s quite apparent that aside from the quality of your products and customer reviews, the designed appearance of your business is a primary factor by which you’re judged. In fact, your website is often the very first thing potential customers see: it’s your digital first impression. By the time they read your testimonials or learned about your offerings, they already formed an opinion based on what your site „feels like.”
Trust Is Built on Honesty
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that trust is built on honesty. Telling others what you do, how you do it, and how they can benefit from your services creates a feeling of clarity, makes it easier for them to decide, and shows that you’re on their side. It is much more straightforward to work with a friend than to work with someone who’s claims are big.
And you won’t satisfy everyone. Sometimes, another business or provider is simply a better match for someone’s needs, and that’s okay. Your job is to find the people whose needs you can meet best. And that will build trust. Over time, that adds up, creates a rock-solid foundation for your business based on familiarity rather than repeatedly empty promises and exaggerated claims.
Real-World Examples: Learn from the Succesful
Let’s look at three well-known small businesses that have leveraged their websites to answer customer questions, build trust, and grow their reach. You can check these sites yourself to see these principles in action:
| Name | What They Do | Category | Website | Typical Customer Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams | Ice cream shop, local & online sales | Local & Online Retail | jenis.com | “Where’s your nearest shop?” “What flavors are available?” “Can I order for delivery?” |
| Joe Wicks (The Body Coach) | Fitness coaching, online plans | Services & Consulting | thebodycoach.com | “How can I join a plan?” “What’s included?” “Do you offer free content?” |
| Brooklyn Robot Foundry | Children’s STEM workshops | Local Service & Online | brooklynrobotfoundry.com | “Where are the classes held?” “How do I sign up?” “Do you offer virtual workshops?” |
Notice how each of these sites makes it easy for customers to find answers, get inspired, and take action.
What Does a Website Actually Do?
A business website is much more than an online brochure. Here’s what it can do for you:
- Digital Real Estate: Your website acts as your digital storefront, showing customers you’re a legitimate, established business.
- Answer Customer Questions: Hours, location, menu or services, pricing, FAQs–all at your customers’ fingertips.
- Showcase Your Work: Highlight products, projects, testimonials, and photos to accurately show what you can provide.
- Collect Leads and Bookings: With forms, booking calendars, or newsletters, your website can generate and capture new business even while you sleep.
- Support Marketing Efforts: SEO (search engine optimization) helps your business appear in Google searches, while social links and blog posts keep customers engaged and informed.
Three Main Parts of a Website (Plain English)
When you’re thinking about your business website, it helps to understand the three main parts that make it work:
1. Domain:
This is your website’s address on the internet, like “jenis.com” or “wagnerwebsites.com.” It’s your online “home address,” making it easy for customers to find and remember you.
2. Frontend:
The frontend is everything your visitors see and interact with: your homepage, photos, menus, and contact forms. It shapes people’s first impressions and makes it easy for them to get the information or services they need.
3. Backend:
The backend is the “behind the scenes” technology that powers your website. It manages things like processing contact forms, handling orders or bookings, and interacting with outside services like mail providers and social media platforms. You don’t see it, but it’s what keeps your website working.
Website Jargon—Explained Simply
- Homepage: The first page visitors see, the face of the website
- Navigation/Menu: The links at the top or side (About, Services, Contact) that help visitors find what they need.
- SEO: Steps that help your website show up on Google when people search for businesses like yours.
- Responsive Design: Your website looks good and works well on phones, tablets, and computers.
- Call to Action (CTA): A button or message (“Book Now,” “Contact Us”) that encourages visitors to take the next step.
Three Actions to Prepare for Your Website
| Action | What To Do (in short) | Example from Above |
|---|---|---|
| List Customer Questions | Write down the top 5 questions you get from customers (by phone, email, in person). | “What flavors do you have today?” (Jeni’s) |
| Gather Your Info & Images | Collect your logo, photos, list of services/products, business hours, and contact info. | Joe Wicks: Photos of workouts, service packages |
| Categorize Your Business | Decide if you’re local, online, product-based, service-based, consulting, etc.—this shapes your website’s design. | Brooklyn Robot Foundry: In-person and online classes |
What to do:
- Make a List:
Write down the most common questions your customers ask. These should be easy to find on your homepage. - Review Other Sites:
Visit Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, The Body Coach, and Brooklyn Robot Foundry. Note what information is easy to find and how you feel as a visitor. - Collect Your Materials:
Gather your logo, photos, product/service list, and contact details in one place. This will make the website building process much smoother.