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A service business is a business that sells professional services or expertise. Examples of service-based business owners include personal trainers, financial advisors, photographers, interior designers, and hair stylists.
Creating a professional website is one of the best ways to get the word out about a small business. Plus, a website gives you tools to streamline and organize client bookings. Here’s how to create a website that simplifies your business and makes your online presence stand out.
1. Outline your service offerings
Before you jump in, decide what services you’ll offer and your rates for each. Knowing what you want to pitch to potential clients will help you design your homepage and figure out what other pages you need.
It’s natural to make adjustments as your business grows, but a starting point is helpful. For example, a wedding photographer could offer engagement sessions, multi-tiered wedding packages, and anniversary photoshoots.
See some business ideas to get you started
2. Choose a website builder
The website platform you choose should offer flexibility to make the design your own and tools to help you streamline your business.
A website builder that has customizable templates to choose from, like Squarespace, is a great starting point. You can choose a template designed for your business and personalize it or create a unique template based on your business needs.
From there, the platform has the functionality to set up scheduling and invoicing, add intake forms, and automate emails for your clients.
3. Build your service website
If you’re not sure where to begin, start with your homepage. Give your website a title—your business name or your name works well here.
Next, think about the most important things you want potential clients to know about you and your business. For most service providers, that’ll be your name or business name, what you do, and highlights of previous work. From there, create a call-to-action (CTA) that inspires potential customers to learn more about your services.
Once you have your homepage set up, work toward building the following information or pages:
Portfolio or client testimonials and reviews
Services page with pricing
Booking page and policies
FAQ
Make sure to list your cancellation policy and payment terms on your booking page or in your FAQ. If it’ll be easier for you to sort through client requests, you can also add a custom contact form to learn more about their project before you meet.
No matter which pages you have on your website, it should be user-friendly and simple to navigate. Add a navigation bar or a dropdown menu in the website header pointing to every page. Include some key links in your footer navigation too, like your FAQ or Contact page links.
See how Rio Viera-Newton launched her skincare consultancy
4. Brand your website design
A clear brand design makes an impression on potential clients and sets a tone for your business from the start. Brand visuals come down to a few main things in your site design:
All of these things come together to make up the personality of your brand. When choosing any of the above, think of what your brand would be like if it were a person. Would they be bold and confident? Calm and soothing?
Use those descriptors to choose colors, images, and fonts that bring that same energy to your web design. A logo isn’t a requirement, but you can design your own or work with a professional to create one.
5. Get a custom domain name
A domain name customized to your business makes it easier to find you online. Most people choose a domain that includes their name or their business or brand’s name. Make a list of a few ideas and use a domain search to check if any are available. From there, you just need to buy the domain name and apply it to your website.
Set up a business email address during this process if you can. Most domain registrars—the companies that sell domain names—have the option to set up professional email addresses while registering your domain. This will help you keep your business communication organized and build customer trust.
6. Link your social media
If you have social media accounts for your business, make sure to link them on your website. Include links in your website footer or header and your Contact page. This is an easy way to keep in touch with your clients and keep them updated about new services you’re offering.
Plus, you can use a link-in-bio tool like Bio Sites on your social media profiles to link back to your website and show off your best work. Think of it as a one-page version of your website, where you can link out to your booking information or feature customer reviews. That way, new customers can find you and book from social media too.
7. Launch and grow
Once you have the basics in place, do one final test of your website on a computer and mobile device. Then, it’s time to make its debut. Share the link with friends, family, and existing clients so that they can help spread the word. Keep track of how clients are finding you so that you can make adjustments to your web pages or optimize for search engine results.
As your business changes and grows, you can update your booking processes and services. You can even explore new revenue streams, like an ecommerce store to sell ebooks and worksheets. Or add a Member Site to sell courses or premium content like stock photography.
Ready to launch your service business?