When you're ready to create a website for your small business, the options can feel overwhelming. With so many platforms and tools claiming to be the best, knowing where to start can be difficult.
I get your pain 🙂
Let’s cut through all the marketing noise out there. I’ll show you how to build a professional, flexible website using WordPress and Elementor—my go-to combination for small business websites.
This guide is designed for beginners and will help you make a small business website with WordPress.
Why Not Wix or Squarespace?
You might be wondering: why not use a page builder like Wix or Squarespace?
I have worked with many clients who came from sites built with Wix or Squarespace. They quickly realized this was not their long-term choice for a website.
I have helped stuck clients migrate sites from Wix, Squarespace, and Webflow to WordPress
Real World Experience
While they seem simple, these platforms have limitations that can hold your business back as it grows. Here’s why I recommend avoiding them:
- Limited flexibility: As your business expands, these platforms might lack the advanced features you need.
- Higher long-term costs: Over time, costs for premium features can add up, making them more expensive than WordPress.
- Less control: You’re limited to what these platforms allow, making customization harder. Developers typically don't want to work with these platforms either.
WordPress gives you complete control, flexibility, and a massive ecosystem of plugins and themes. Pair it with Elementor, and you have the power to build a website that’s uniquely yours. More than that, you have a foundation to go in any direction!
Setting Up WordPress
WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, powering over 40% of all websites. It's user-friendly, adaptable, and gives you the freedom to create a website that truly reflects your brand.
Install WordPress
Most web hosts offer a one-click installation for WordPress, making the setup quick and painless. Here’s how to get started:
- Choose a web host: Select a reliable hosting provider such as Kinsta, WP Engine, or SiteGround. These hosts offer easy WordPress installations and great customer support.
- Access the one-click installer: Log in to your hosting account, and look for the WordPress one-click install option in your dashboard. With some of these hosting plans, WordPress will be installed automatically.
- Follow the prompts: Enter your website name, admin username, and password. Within minutes, WordPress will be installed and ready to go.
Choose a theme
The theme you select determines your website's overall design and layout. For the best results, opt for a simple, responsive theme that provides a solid foundation. Here are two recommendations:
- Hello Theme by Elementor: Specifically designed to work with Elementor, it offers a clean slate to create your design. Get the Hello Theme.
- Astra: A lightweight theme that's highly customizable and works seamlessly with Elementor. Get the Astra Theme.
You can install a theme by going to your WordPress dashboard, selecting Appearance > Themes > Add New, and searching for your chosen theme. Once you find it, click Install and then Activate. You now have a theme up and running!
Add essential plugins
Plugins add functionality to your WordPress website. To get started, I recommend these must-have plugins:
- Elementor: A powerful page builder that allows you to design your website without coding. Get Elementor Page Builder.
- Rank Math: A comprehensive SEO plugin that helps you optimize your content for search engines. Get Rank Math.
To install plugins, go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard, search for the plugin name, then click Install Now and Activate. I highly recommend the Pro version of both of these plugins. Yes, they cost money, but it's a small price when these tools can help you earn thousands of dollars (true story).
Use the fewest plugins possible to avoid slowing down your website. Always keep them updated for security.
Pro Tip
Designing Your Website with Elementor
Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder for WordPress that makes it easy to create a stunning website without any design experience. It offers flexibility and control over every aspect of your website’s design.
Think of WordPress as the foundation and structure of the house and Elementor as the interior and finish work.
Install Elementor
To start, install Elementor by going to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Search for “Elementor,” then click Install Now and Activate. This is the free version, which is awesome, but as I mentioned before, the pro version will allow your site to go from good to great.
The free version is powerful, but upgrading to Elementor Pro unlocks more advanced features like custom headers and footers and other template tools.
Pro Tip
Create your first page
Now it's time to create your first page:
- Go to Pages > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
- Name your page (e.g., “Home”), and click Edit with Elementor.
This will open the Elementor editor, where you can start building your page.
Start designing
The Elementor interface is intuitive, making it easy to drag and drop elements onto your page. Here’s how to start:
- Drag and drop elements: On the left side, you'll see various elements like text, images, buttons, and videos. Drag them into the main page area to start building your layout.
- Customize your design: Click on each element to access customization options, such as changing colors, fonts, margins, padding, and sizes.
- Use pre-built templates: If you want to speed up the process, Elementor offers a range of pre-built templates you can customize to fit your brand.
Get started quicker by keeping your design clean and simple. Use your brand’s colors and fonts to create a cohesive look.
Pro Tip
Essential Pages to Include
Your website must include key pages that give visitors the information they want. Here are the must-have pages for any small business website (to get you started):
Home page
Your home page is the first impression visitors have of your business. Include:
- A clear headline: Explain who you are and what you offer.
- High-quality images: Use professional photos that represent your brand.
- Call-to-action (CTA) buttons: Guide visitors to take action, like “Contact Us” or “Shop Now.”
About page
Tell your story. Include:
- Your mission and values: What makes your business unique?
- Team bios: Introduce the people behind your business.
- Testimonials: Include quotes from satisfied customers.
Services or products page
Detail what you offer. Include:
- Descriptions: Clearly explain your services or products.
- High-quality images: Show what you’re selling.
- CTA buttons: Encourage visitors to learn more or make purchases.
Contact page
Make it easy for visitors to reach you. Include:
- Contact form: Allow visitors to send you a message directly.
- Phone number and email: Provide multiple ways to get in touch.
- Business address: If applicable, include your location.
Launching and Maintaining Your Website
Once your pages are set up, it's time to launch your website. You now have a basic starting point from which to build your online presence.
But your work doesn’t end there. Here’s how to keep your website running smoothly:
Regular updates
- WordPress core: Keep WordPress updated to the latest version.
- Themes and plugins: Update them regularly for security and performance.
Monitor performance
Tools like Google Analytics can be used to track website traffic and visitor behavior. This will help you identify what’s working and where improvements are needed.
SEO Optimization
Optimize your content using Rank Math to improve your website’s visibility on search engines. Target relevant keywords, write meta descriptions, and include internal links.
Make a Small Business Website With WordPress & Start Right!
You now know how to create a website for your small business using WordPress and Elementor. I realize there is so much we could cover, but this should get you started. The main goal is to have a proper starting point for building your website as a long-term asset and marketing tool.
