Tutorial 001Business Websites13 steps3 fixes

How to Plan a Small Business Website

A start-to-finish beginner plan for deciding what a small-business website needs before choosing a theme, plugin or animation.

By the end: You will finish with a verified page map, content inventory, primary customer path, WordPress page skeleton and launch test list.

TARGET RESULTHow to Plan a Small Business Website
You will finish with a verified **page** map, content inventory, primary customer path, **WordPress** page skeleton and launch test list.

Key terms before you start

These definitions make the steps easier to follow and help distinguish controls, files and concepts that can look similar at first.

WordPressA content management system (CMS) used to store, edit and publish website content.

DashboardThe WordPress administration area reached after signing in; its left menu contains Pages, Posts, Appearance, Plugins, Settings and other tools your account may use.

PageA WordPress content item normally used for relatively permanent content such as Home, Services, About or Contact.

HomepageThe main entry page that identifies the site/business and routes visitors to important information/actions.

Service pageA page explaining one service: who it is for, what is included, limitations, location/availability and next step.

Call to action (CTA)A specific next-step instruction such as “Book an appointment”, “Request a quote” or “Buy now”.

NavigationLinks that let visitors move among important pages.

Contact formLabeled fields that send visitor information to a business inbox, CRM or other approved system.

DraftSaved WordPress content that is not yet publicly published.

PublishThe action that makes a page/post publicly available, subject to visibility settings.

PreviewA view of how content should look on the public site before or after publishing.

What you need before starting

A real business with known services/products
Current contact details and service area
Someone who can approve facts
Access to the existing website or WordPress installation

Real-world notes from public discussions

These are tied to public discussions, not invented case studies. Open the source to read the full thread and surrounding replies.

r/smallbusiness — Small business website advice neededOpen discussion ↗

A recurring practical answer is to map content and customer actions before worrying about visual design. One respondent explicitly recommends deciding what belongs on the site and where, then making call/book/buy actions quick to reach.

How it changes this tutorial: In this tutorial, create the page map and real customer path first; styling comes after the business information and CTA work.

r/smallbusiness — What actually works when building a website?Open discussion ↗

Owners and designers repeatedly describe useful small-business sites as simple, fast, easy to contact, clear about core services, and supported by real proof such as reviews or case examples.

How it changes this tutorial: That is why the workflow below tests service clarity, contact details and speed before decorative extras.

FULL TUTORIAL

Step-by-step tutorial

Every step is shown below. Work through them in order and use each checkpoint to confirm the result before moving on.

STEP 01 / 13

Sign in to WordPress

Do this

Open https://YOURDOMAIN.com/wp-admin/ and sign in.

Why

The Dashboard is the private administration area. Do not edit the public page through browser developer tools; those changes are temporary.

WordPressA content management system (CMS) used to store, edit and publish website content.

CHECKPOINTThe WordPress Dashboard loads.

STEP 02 / 13

Open the Pages list

Do this

Click Pages → All Pages.

Why

Pages are used for relatively permanent site content such as Home, Services and Contact.

PageA WordPress content item normally used for relatively permanent content such as Home, Services, About or Contact.

IF THIS GOES WRONGThe page list keeps growing

Merge pages whose purpose is identical. Create a new page only when it answers a distinct visitor task.

CHECKPOINTYou can see existing page titles and statuses.

STEP 03 / 13

Check whether the page already exists

Do this

Look for an existing page that already performs the job of “Website Plan”.

Why

Editing an existing correct page is better than creating a duplicate URL with the same purpose.

PageA WordPress content item normally used for relatively permanent content such as Home, Services, About or Contact.

IF THIS GOES WRONGThe page list keeps growing

Merge pages whose purpose is identical. Create a new page only when it answers a distinct visitor task.

CHECKPOINTYou know whether to edit or create.

STEP 04 / 13

Create the page if it is missing

Do this

Click Pages → Add New and enter “Website Plan” as the title.

Why

The title becomes the editor title and normally influences the public heading/URL depending on the theme.

PageA WordPress content item normally used for relatively permanent content such as Home, Services, About or Contact.

IF THIS GOES WRONGThe page list keeps growing

Merge pages whose purpose is identical. Create a new page only when it answers a distinct visitor task.

CHECKPOINTA new draft opens in the Block Editor.

STEP 05 / 13

Add the opening explanation

Do this

Insert a Paragraph block and explain this job in plain language: identify the business, its actual offer, who it serves, where it operates and the single most important next action.

Why

Use facts a first-time customer can act on. Avoid “innovative solutions” or other wording that does not tell them what happens.

HomepageThe main entry page that identifies the site/business and routes visitors to important information/actions.

IF THIS GOES WRONGThe site has no obvious primary action

Choose the business action that staff actually wants and can handle: call, booking, quote, purchase or inquiry.

CHECKPOINTThe first paragraph answers what the page is for.

STEP 06 / 13

Create section 1: Customer questions

Do this

Insert a Heading block for “Customer questions”, then add Paragraph/List blocks underneath.

Why

Write the questions people ask before buying: what is offered, price/pricing method, location, timing, eligibility and contact method.

PageA WordPress content item normally used for relatively permanent content such as Home, Services, About or Contact.

IF THIS GOES WRONGThe page list keeps growing

Merge pages whose purpose is identical. Create a new page only when it answers a distinct visitor task.

CHECKPOINTThe section contains specific information rather than a placeholder heading.

STEP 07 / 13

Create section 2: Page map

Do this

Insert a Heading block for “Page map”, then add Paragraph/List blocks underneath.

Why

Map each distinct visitor question to a page such as Home, Services, About, Contact, Pricing, Locations or FAQ.

PageA WordPress content item normally used for relatively permanent content such as Home, Services, About or Contact.

IF THIS GOES WRONGThe page list keeps growing

Merge pages whose purpose is identical. Create a new page only when it answers a distinct visitor task.

CHECKPOINTThe section contains specific information rather than a placeholder heading.

STEP 08 / 13

Create section 3: Content inventory

Do this

Insert a Heading block for “Content inventory”, then add Paragraph/List blocks underneath.

Why

List the real text, photos, logos, policies, prices, staff information and proof needed for those pages.

PageA WordPress content item normally used for relatively permanent content such as Home, Services, About or Contact.

IF THIS GOES WRONGThe page list keeps growing

Merge pages whose purpose is identical. Create a new page only when it answers a distinct visitor task.

CHECKPOINTThe section contains specific information rather than a placeholder heading.

STEP 09 / 13

Create section 4: Customer path

Do this

Insert a Heading block for “Customer path”, then add Paragraph/List blocks underneath.

Why

Choose a real path such as Home → Service → Quote form and make sure every step has a page/action.

PageA WordPress content item normally used for relatively permanent content such as Home, Services, About or Contact.

IF THIS GOES WRONGThe site has no obvious primary action

Choose the business action that staff actually wants and can handle: call, booking, quote, purchase or inquiry.

CHECKPOINTThe section contains specific information rather than a placeholder heading.

STEP 10 / 13

Create section 5: Launch responsibilities

Do this

Insert a Heading block for “Launch responsibilities”, then add Paragraph/List blocks underneath.

Why

Record who supplies content, who approves it, who receives leads and who maintains it after launch.

PreviewA view of how content should look on the public site before or after publishing.

IF THIS GOES WRONGThe page list keeps growing

Merge pages whose purpose is identical. Create a new page only when it answers a distinct visitor task.

CHECKPOINTThe section contains specific information rather than a placeholder heading.

STEP 11 / 13

Add a useful next action

Do this

Insert a Buttons block and use a literal label such as “Review the plan”. Link it to the real destination.

Why

A CTA should describe what happens when clicked, not merely say “Learn more” when a more specific label is available.

Call to action (CTA)A specific next-step instruction such as “Book an appointment”, “Request a quote” or “Buy now”.

IF THIS GOES WRONGThe site has no obvious primary action

Choose the business action that staff actually wants and can handle: call, booking, quote, purchase or inquiry.

CHECKPOINTPreviewing the button opens the intended URL.

STEP 12 / 13

Click every action

Do this

Test the primary CTA plus email, phone, navigation and related-page links.

Why

Do not assume a button works because it looks correct.

PageA WordPress content item normally used for relatively permanent content such as Home, Services, About or Contact.

IF THIS GOES WRONGThe site has no obvious primary action

Choose the business action that staff actually wants and can handle: call, booking, quote, purchase or inquiry.

CHECKPOINTAll important links open the intended destination.

STEP 13 / 13

Assign an update owner

Do this

Record who is responsible for keeping the page accurate.

Why

Business pages become misleading when hours, services, staff, prices or policies change but the site does not.

PageA WordPress content item normally used for relatively permanent content such as Home, Services, About or Contact.

IF THIS GOES WRONGThe site has no obvious primary action

Choose the business action that staff actually wants and can handle: call, booking, quote, purchase or inquiry.

CHECKPOINTA named person/process owns future updates.

Concrete examples

Simple local-service mapHome → Services → Individual Service → Contact / Quote

Minimum factual inventoryBusiness name, real services, service area, phone/email, hours, approved images, policies

Troubleshooting

The page list keeps growing

Merge pages whose purpose is identical. Create a new page only when it answers a distinct visitor task.

You do not have the facts yet

Keep a Missing Information list. Do not fill gaps with invented copy.

The site has no obvious primary action

Choose the business action that staff actually wants and can handle: call, booking, quote, purchase or inquiry.

FINAL CHECKAssign an update owner
A named person/process owns future updates.

Public discussion excerpts

How the topic comes up in practice

Short excerpts from public discussions that directly relate to the task. Use the source link for the complete context.

“A website 'like everyone else' is actually a feature and benefit because then visitors know how to use it.”
what should I do for a website? ↗

Documentation and references

Use these primary and supporting sources to verify current controls, browser behavior and product-specific details.

← Tutorials index How to Build a Website for a Law Firm →

Key terms before you start

What you need before starting

Real-world notes from public discussions

Step-by-step tutorial

Sign in to WordPress

Open the Pages list

Check whether the page already exists

Create the page if it is missing

Add the opening explanation

Create section 1: Customer questions

Create section 2: Page map

Create section 3: Content inventory

Create section 4: Customer path

Create section 5: Launch responsibilities

Add a useful next action

Click every action

Assign an update owner

Concrete examples

Troubleshooting

How the topic comes up in practice

Continue with these tutorials

Documentation and references