The Ultimate Small Business Website & Automation FAQ
Straight answers to every website and automation question you have. No corporate speak, no runaround - just the info you need to make smart decisions.
💰What's the average cost of a small business website?
Real talk - small business websites typically run between $2,500 and $10,000. Here's the breakdown I've seen after 20+ years in business:
DIY (Wix/Squarespace): $200-500/year - You're doing all the work
Freelancer: $1,500-5,000 - Hit or miss on quality
Small Agency/Me: $3,500-7,500 - Professional, custom, done right
Big Agency: $10,000-50,000 - Lots of meetings, fancy proposals
The sweet spot for most small businesses? Around $3,500-5,000. That gets you custom design, mobile optimization, SEO basics, and someone who actually answers their phone.
💰How much does website hosting cost?
Hosting is like rent for your website. Expect to pay:
Shared hosting: $5-20/month (fine for most small businesses)
VPS hosting: $30-100/month (for busier sites)
Dedicated: $100+/month (probably overkill)
Don't get fooled by "$0.99/month!" deals - they jump to $15/month after the first year. Budget around $15-20/month for decent hosting that won't crash when five people visit at once.
💰What's the difference between domain and hosting?
Think of it like this - your domain is your street address (like mybusiness.com), and hosting is the actual building. You need both:
Domain: ~$15/year - This is your web address
Hosting: ~$180/year - This is where your website files live
Some companies bundle them together, which is convenient but makes it harder to switch providers later. I usually recommend keeping them separate - it's like not having your landlord also control your mail.
💰How long do websites last before needing redesign?
A well-built website should last 3-5 years before needing a major overhaul. But here's what actually happens:
Year 1-2: Looking fresh, working great
Year 3: Starting to feel a bit dated
Year 4-5: Definitely showing its age
Year 5+: Probably hurting more than helping
Technology moves fast. What looked modern in 2020 looks ancient now. Plus, Google keeps changing what it wants to see. Budget for a refresh every 3-4 years to stay competitive.
💰Custom website vs template - what's the real difference?
Templates are like buying a suit off the rack - it'll work, but it's made to fit everyone and no one. Custom sites are tailored to YOUR business:
Template Sites:
Custom Sites:
I spent years trying to make templates work for my businesses. Always ended up rebuilding from scratch when I hit their limits.
🚀How do I prepare for a website project?
Best thing you can do? Get clear on what you want this website to actually DO. I've had clients come to me saying "I need a website" - that's like saying "I need a vehicle." Are we talking pickup truck or Prius?
Before you call anyone:
The clearer you are on what you want, the better result you'll get. And the less you'll pay in revision rounds.
🚀What content do I need ready?
Here's what slows down every website project - content. Specifically, YOUR content. At minimum, you'll need:
Pro tip: Start a Google Doc now and dump everything in there. Messy is fine - your developer can help organize it. No content = project delays, every single time.
🚀How long does website design actually take?
I tell everyone 3 weeks, but here's the real breakdown:
Week 1: Design and initial build (I'm cranking)
Week 2: You review, we revise, add your content
Week 3: Final tweaks, testing, launch
What actually happens? If you get me content quickly, we can launch in 10-14 days. But most businesses need time to gather photos, write content, get approvals from partners. Hence, 3 weeks.
Big agencies telling you 3-6 months? They're not lying - they've just got 5 people who each need to touch your project. Me? It's just me. No account managers, no junior developers, no committees.
🚀What questions should I ask a web developer?
Skip the technical stuff - here's what actually matters:
"Can I see sites you've built for businesses like mine?"
"What happens if something breaks after launch?"
"How do I make updates myself?"
"What's included vs. what costs extra?"
"Who owns the website when we're done?"
Red flags: They talk in jargon. They dodge the ownership question. They require monthly hosting through them only.
Green flags: Clear pricing. Real portfolio. They explain things simply. You own everything when done.
🚀How do I choose a domain name?
Keep it simple. YourBusinessName.com is usually perfect. But if that's taken:
Don't overthink this. I've seen businesses delay launches for months arguing about domains. Your service matters way more than whether you're .com or .net. Just make it easy to spell and easy to remember.
One warning: Don't let your nephew register it. I've seen too many businesses held hostage because the domain is in some relative's GoDaddy account. Register it yourself or make sure you have full access.
⚙️What is website maintenance?
Website maintenance is like oil changes for your car - skip it long enough and things start breaking. Here's what actually needs maintaining:
Software updates: WordPress, plugins, security patches (monthly)
Backups: In case something goes sideways (weekly)
Security monitoring: Checking for hack attempts (ongoing)
Broken link checks: Links die, it happens (quarterly)
Speed optimization: Cleaning out the junk (quarterly)
Some developers charge $100-500/month for this. Me? I build sites that need minimal maintenance, and I'll teach you the basics. Most of my clients spend 20 minutes a month on upkeep, not $200.
⚙️Why does site speed matter?
Because people are impatient. Google says 53% of people leave if a site takes over 3 seconds to load. Three seconds! That's how long you have.
But here's what really matters:
Google ranks faster sites higher
Faster sites convert better (more sales)
Mobile users on crappy cell towers REALLY need speed
Every second of delay costs you 7% in conversions
I aim for under 2 seconds on every site. Most WordPress sites? They're chugging along at 5-8 seconds. That's why I build with modern frameworks - speed is baked in, not bolted on.
⚙️What's SSL and do I need it?
SSL is that little padlock in your browser bar. It means the connection is secure. And yes, you absolutely need it.
Here's why:
Google shows "NOT SECURE" warnings without it (kills trust)
You legally need it if you collect ANY info (even email addresses)
Google ranks SSL sites higher
It's often FREE these days
If someone's charging you $100/year for an SSL certificate in 2025, they're ripping you off. Most good hosts include it free. It's like charging extra for wheels on a car.
⚙️Mobile-first design - what's that mean?
It means we design for phones FIRST, then make it look good on desktop. Why? Because 74% of your visitors are on their phones.
Old way: Build for desktop, squish it down for mobile
New way: Build for mobile, expand it for desktop
The difference:
Thumb-friendly buttons (not tiny desktop links)
Readable text without zooming
Fast loading on cell networks
Click-to-call phone numbers
Maps that actually work
When I say mobile-first, I mean I literally design on my phone first. If it doesn't work perfectly there, we're not launching.
⚙️What's web hosting and how do I choose?
Think of hosting like this - your website needs to live on a computer that's always on, always connected to the internet. That's a web host.
Types you'll see:
Shared hosting ($5-20/month): You're in an apartment building
VPS hosting ($30-100/month): You've got a condo
Dedicated ($100+/month): You own the whole building
For most small businesses, shared hosting is totally fine. You're not Amazon. You don't need a whole server.
What to look for:
99.9% uptime guarantee (your site stays online)
Daily backups
Free SSL included
Phone support (not just tickets)
Easy WordPress/website installation
Hosts I trust: SiteGround, WP Engine (for WordPress), Vercel (for modern sites)
Avoid: GoDaddy, HostGator, any host advertising on Super Bowl commercials
🔍How do I get on the first page of Google?
Ah, the million dollar question. Here's the truth - there's no magic button. But there IS a formula:
The basics Google wants:
Fast website (under 3 seconds)
Works perfect on mobile
Secure (that SSL certificate)
Content that actually helps people
Other websites linking to you
For local businesses, it's easier:
Google My Business profile (complete it!)
Consistent name, address, phone everywhere
Customer reviews (even 5-10 helps)
Location pages for areas you serve
Actually being good at what you do
Skip anyone promising "guaranteed first page in 30 days." That's like promising you'll be prom king. Maybe, but probably not how you think.
🔍Local SEO for small business - where to start?
Local SEO is your secret weapon. You're not competing with Amazon - you're competing with the other plumber in town. WAY easier.
Week 1: Foundation
Claim your Google My Business
Fill out EVERY field (hours, services, photos)
Make sure your website matches EXACTLY
Week 2: Citations
Get on Yelp, Facebook, YellowPages.com
Same name, address, phone on all of them
Industry directories (like Angie's List for contractors)
Week 3: Reviews
Ask your 5 best customers for reviews
Make it easy - send them the direct link
Respond to every review (good and bad)
Ongoing:
Post updates to Google My Business weekly
Add photos of your work
Keep those reviews coming
This alone puts you ahead of 80% of local businesses. Seriously.
🔍How long before my site shows up in Google?
New website? Here's the real timeline:
24-48 hours: Google knows you exist
1-2 weeks: You'll appear for your exact business name
1-3 months: Starting to show for service searches
3-6 months: Building momentum if you're doing things right
6-12 months: This is when things get interesting
Anyone promising faster is either lying or talking about paid ads. SEO is like growing a garden - you can't rush it, but you can make sure you're planting the right seeds.
Pro tip: Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console. It's like sending Google an invitation instead of waiting for them to stumble upon your party.
🔍Do I need a blog for SEO?
Need? No. Should you? Probably, but not how you think.
Most business blogs are graveyards of "Welcome to our new website!" posts from 2019. That's worse than no blog.
Blog ONLY if you can:
Post at least monthly
Write stuff your customers actually care about
Answer real questions you get asked
Share project photos and stories
Keep it going for at least a year
Better alternatives if you hate writing:
Case studies of your work
FAQ pages (like this one!)
Service area pages
Photo galleries with descriptions
I've ranked plenty of sites without blogs. It's about helpful content, not forcing out "5 Tips for Spring Cleaning" posts nobody reads.
🔍What are Google reviews and why do they matter?
Google reviews are like word-of-mouth on steroids. They show up when someone searches for your business, and they massively impact whether people call you.
Why they matter:
Show up in search results (social proof)
Impact your local rankings
88% of people trust them like personal recommendations
Negative reviews happen - how you respond matters more
How to get them:
Just ASK. Most happy customers will help
Make it easy - text them the direct link
Best time? Right after you finish the job
Aim for 1-2 per month, not 20 in one week (looks fake)
When you get a bad review:
Respond professionally within 48 hours
Don't argue or get defensive
Offer to fix it offline
Other people are reading your response, not just the reviewer
One warning: Never buy reviews or have your mom write 10 of them. Google's not stupid, and getting caught kills your rankings.
📈How do I know if my website is working?
A working website does more than just exist. Here's your scorecard:
The basics (monthly check):
Google Analytics shows visitors (and they're not all you)
People stay longer than 10 seconds
Phone calls or emails coming in
You're showing up in Google searches
The real metrics:
Calls/leads per month (track this!)
Cost per customer acquisition going down
People mention finding you online
Less time explaining what you do
I had a client getting 3 calls a month from their old site. New site? 3 calls a week. Same business, same services, just a website that actually worked. That's $30K in new revenue from a $3,500 investment.
📈What's a good conversion rate?
Conversion rate = the percentage of visitors who actually do something (call, email, buy). Industry average is 2-3%, but that's misleading.
For local businesses:
5-10% for service businesses (plumbers, HVAC)
2-5% for restaurants (menu views → orders)
3-7% for professional services
10-20% for emergency services
But here's what matters more:
Quality over quantity. I'd rather have 100 visitors with 10 conversions than 1,000 visitors with 20. Those first 100 are actually looking for you.
Quick wins to boost conversions:
Phone number in the header (duh, but many miss this)
Clear "Get Quote" button above the fold
Trust signals (reviews, certifications)
Fast loading (every second counts)
Answer the damn phone
📈Should my website integrate with my POS?
If you're retail or restaurant, probably yes. If you're a service business, maybe not. Here's how to decide:
Integration makes sense if:
You update inventory/menu frequently
Customers order online
You need real-time availability
You're tired of updating two systems
Skip it if:
You have under 50 products
Inventory doesn't change much
Online ordering isn't a thing for you
The integration costs more than you'll save
I learned this running my Amazon business - integration is amazing when it works, expensive headache when it doesn't. Start simple, add complexity only when the pain is real.
📈How do websites generate leads?
Your website should be your hardest-working employee. Here's how it earns its keep:
Passive lead generation:
Contact forms (keep them short!)
Click-to-call buttons
Online scheduling
Live chat (if you'll actually use it)
Email newsletter signups
Active lead generation:
Free guides or resources
Online quotes/calculators
"Get a Free Consultation" offers
Case studies that show results
Clear next steps everywhere
The secret? Make it EASY. Every extra field on your form costs you leads. Every confusing page loses customers. I've seen businesses double their leads just by adding their phone number to the header and making buttons bigger.
🤖What is business automation really?
Business automation is having technology do the repetitive stuff that's eating your time. It's not robots taking over - it's more like having a really reliable assistant who never forgets, never calls in sick, and works 24/7.
Real examples:
Customer fills out your contact form → They instantly get a text confirmation
Someone books an appointment → Automatic reminder 24 hours before
Job completes → Review request goes out 3 days later
New lead comes in → Gets added to your CRM and assigned to sales
I spent years doing this stuff manually in my businesses. Now? The computer handles it while I sleep. That's automation.
🤖How much does business automation cost?
Way less than you think, especially compared to hiring someone:
One-time setup costs:
Simple automation (like auto-responders): $500-1,000
Medium complexity (appointment booking): $1,000-2,500
Full system (lead routing, CRM, follow-ups): $2,500-5,000
Monthly tool costs:
Zapier or Make: $20-100/month
CRM: $50-200/month
All-in-one systems: $100-300/month
Compare that to an employee at $15/hour. Even part-time, that's $1,200/month. Automation pays for itself in 2-3 months, then it's pure profit.
🤖How much time can automation really save?
I tracked this with my clients. Here's what we found:
Restaurant owner: Saved 10 hours/week on reservations and confirmations
HVAC company: Cut response time from 2 hours to 2 minutes
Real estate agent: Saved 15 hours/week on lead follow-up
Landscaper: Eliminated 90% of scheduling calls
My own experience? My Amazon business would've needed 3 more employees without automation. Instead, systems handled inventory updates, repricing, and order routing automatically.
The real savings? Not waking up at 3 AM remembering you forgot to follow up with someone.
🤖Where should a small business start with automation?
Start with whatever's driving you crazy. But here's the usual suspects:
Week 1: Lead Response
Auto-reply to form submissions
Add leads to a spreadsheet/CRM
Text notification when leads come in
Month 1: Appointment Booking
Online scheduling
Automatic confirmations
Reminder texts/emails
Month 2: Follow-up Sequences
Post-service review requests
Check-in emails for quotes
Birthday/anniversary messages
Month 3: Internal Stuff
Invoice reminders
Inventory alerts
Team scheduling
Don't automate everything at once. Pick one painful process, fix it, then move to the next. It's like eating an elephant - one bite at a time.
🤖What are the biggest automation mistakes?
I've made them all, so learn from my pain:
Mistake 1: Over-automating
Lost a big client because my "personal" follow-up was obviously automated. Keep the human touch where it matters.
Mistake 2: Not testing properly
Sent 400 "Hi [FIRSTNAME]" emails once. Test everything with your own email first.
Mistake 3: Set and forget
Automation breaks. Numbers change. Services update. Check monthly.
Mistake 4: Making it too complex
If you need a flowchart to explain it, it's too complex. Simple automations are reliable automations.
Mistake 5: Automating bad processes
Automation makes things faster, not better. Fix the process first, then automate.
The goal isn't to remove all human interaction - it's to remove the mundane stuff so you can focus on what matters: actually running your business.
🔧What's Zapier and do I need it?
Zapier is like the translator between all your different tools. Your website speaks one language, your CRM speaks another - Zapier makes them talk to each other.
Example: Customer fills out your form → Zapier grabs that info → Adds them to your email list → Creates a task in your CRM → Texts you. All automatic.
Alternatives:
Make.com: More powerful but harder to use
n8n: Super powerful, needs technical knowledge
IFTTT: Simple but limited
Built-in integrations: Sometimes your tools talk directly
Most small businesses do fine with Zapier. It's like the automatic transmission of automation - gets the job done without you needing to understand the gears.
🔧What's a CRM and which one should I use?
CRM = Customer Relationship Manager. Fancy words for "keeping track of your customers without sticky notes."
What it actually does:
Stores all customer info in one place
Tracks every interaction
Reminds you to follow up
Shows you who's worth pursuing
Runs reports on what's working
Popular options for small business:
Google Contacts: Free, basic, you probably already have it
HubSpot: Free tier is solid, gets expensive as you grow
Pipedrive: Great for sales-focused businesses
Monday.com: Visual, easy, good for teams
Simple spreadsheet: Honestly fine for under 100 customers
Don't overthink this. The best CRM is the one you'll actually use. I've seen $500/month systems abandoned for Google Sheets because they were too complicated.
🔧How does email marketing automation work?
Remember those emails you get after buying something online? "Thanks for your order" → "How was everything?" → "Come back for 10% off"? That's email automation.
For local businesses:
Welcome series for new customers
Appointment reminders
Monthly newsletters (automated scheduling)
Birthday discounts
Win-back campaigns for old customers
Tools that make it happen:
Mailchimp: Everyone knows it, getting pricey
ConvertKit: Great for service businesses
ActiveCampaign: Powerful but complex
Brevo (SendinBlue): Good balance of features/price
The money is in the sequences. Set up one good welcome series and it works forever.
🔧Zapier vs Make vs n8n - which is better?
Depends on your tech comfort and wallet:
Zapier - The Honda Civic
Easiest to use
5,000+ app integrations
$20-70/month for most businesses
Great customer support
Perfect for non-techies
Make.com - The BMW
More powerful and flexible
Better for complex workflows
$9-100/month
Steeper learning curve
Good middle ground
n8n - The Build-Your-Own Kit Car
Most powerful and customizable
Can self-host (own your data)
Free if you're technical
Requires coding knowledge
Total control
For 90% of small businesses? Zapier. It just works.
🔧Why don't all my tools integrate with each other?
Because software companies are like teenagers - they don't always play nice together. Each tool has its own way of doing things.
Common integration headaches:
QuickBooks only talks to certain tools
Your POS might be stuck in 2010
Industry-specific software often integrates with nothing
"Coming soon" usually means "never"
Workarounds that actually work:
Zapier/Make as the middleman
Export/import CSV files (old school but reliable)
Email parsing (pulls data from emails)
Custom API connections (requires a developer)
The truth? Perfect integration is a myth. But "good enough" automation still beats doing everything manually. I'd rather have 80% automation that works than wait for 100% that never comes.
Still have questions?
I'm here to help. No pressure, no sales pitch - just straight answers about what might work best for your business.
📈Is social media enough or do I need a website?
Relying only on social media is like building your house on rented land. Facebook changes their algorithm? Your business disappears. Instagram goes down? You're closed.
Social media is great for:
Building community
Showing personality
Quick updates
Paid ads
But you NEED a website for:
Google searches (where buyers are)
Credibility (no website = not serious)
Control (your rules, your content)
Conversions (social media sucks at this)
Think of it this way: Social media is where you chat and build relationships. Your website is where you close deals. You need both, but if I had to pick one? Website every time.
Plus, what happens when someone Googles you and finds... nothing? They move on to your competitor who has their act together online.