Let’s face it: building a website for your small business can feel like being handed a blank canvas the size of a football field and told to “just paint something nice.” Do you need an FAQ? A blog? A landing page for your landing page? Suddenly, that blank canvas becomes a maze of confusion.
The good news? You don’t need a 50-page mega-site to succeed online. In fact, you only need five pages — yes, five — to create a smart, focused, and professional website that gets the job done.
At our web studio, we’ve helped dozens of small businesses go from digital ghost towns to thriving hubs with just these essentials. Whether you’re a local café, a freelance photographer, or a B2B service provider, this simple five-page blueprint is all you need to get started — and stand out.
1. Homepage — Your Digital Welcome Mat
Your homepage is your first impression, your elevator pitch, your front door — all wrapped into one. It’s not just about looking pretty (though that helps). It needs to communicate who you are, what you do, and why someone should care, all in a matter of seconds.
What to include:
- Clear headline that says what you do (avoid fluff like “Welcome to our site!”).
- A one-liner value proposition. What problem do you solve?
- Navigation to other pages.
- Strong call-to-action (CTA). Think “Book a free consultation,” not “Learn more.”
- A brief overview of your services or offerings.
- Social proof: testimonials, logos, or review snippets.
Pro tip:
Put your call-to-action above the fold — meaning, visible before someone starts scrolling. Attention spans are shorter than a goldfish’s these days.
2. About Page — Tell Your Story (Without the Novella)
This is where people go when they’re almost sold, but they just need a bit more human connection. So, give them a reason to trust you.
But please, don’t start with “Our company was founded in 2012 with a mission to leverage synergies and optimize scalable solutions.” (Yawn.)
What to include:
- A brief, human story: Who are you? Why did you start this business?
- Your mission or values (if they’re not just corporate jargon).
- A photo of you or your team (bonus points for not looking like a stock image).
- Optional: fun facts, behind-the-scenes, or your favorite coffee order — something real.
Pro tip:
People don’t connect with businesses. They connect with people. So show your face, tell your story, and speak like a human.
3. Services (or Products) Page — Show What You Offer
This is where the magic happens. The Services (or Products) page is where visitors figure out if you’re the solution to their problem.
Whether you offer online coaching or artisanal hot sauce, clarity is everything here.
What to include:
- List of services/products with short, benefit-focused descriptions.
- Pricing, if applicable (transparency builds trust).
- A clear CTA for each offering — contact you, book a call, purchase online, etc.
- Optional: images, process overview, FAQs.
Pro tip:
Use plain language. If you confuse, you lose. “Handcrafted furniture for cozy homes” is better than “Innovative solutions in ergonomic wood design verticals.”
4. Contact Page — Make It Easy to Reach You
You’d be surprised how many businesses hide their contact info behind four clicks and a vague form. If your potential customer is ready to reach out — don’t make them chase you.
What to include:
- Contact form (short and sweet — name, email, message).
- Email and/or phone number.
- Location, if relevant (with a map if you have a physical space).
- Social media links.
- Optional: availability, response time, or even a friendly note like “We typically reply within 24 hours.”
Pro tip:
Even if you use a form, always provide a direct email as a backup. Some people don’t trust forms. Give them options.
5. Blog or Portfolio — The Trust Builder
This last one depends on your type of business. If you’re a service provider (like a designer, developer, coach, or copywriter), a portfolio builds credibility. If you’re in a content-heavy or advice-based industry (like wellness, finance, or education), a blog boosts SEO and builds authority.
You don’t have to blog every week — but even 3–5 solid posts can make your site more searchable and persuasive.
What to include (Blog):
- Well-written, useful articles relevant to your audience.
- Keywords that match what your audience searches for (hello, SEO).
- Internal links to your services.
- What to include (Portfolio):
Case studies or project snapshots. - Problem → solution → result format.
- Testimonials from happy clients.
Pro tip:
Add a “Start Here” guide or featured post/project to guide first-time visitors.
Wait, What About a FAQ Page?
You can absolutely add more pages as your business grows. But if you’re just getting started, try folding FAQs into your Services or Contact pages to keep things lean.
The key is not adding pages just because you “should.” Each page should serve a purpose and guide your visitor toward action.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Need): The Five-Page Formula
Let’s recap the essential five:
- Homepage – What you do, why it matters, where to go next.
- About – Who you are and why someone should trust you.
- Services/Products – What you offer, clearly and compellingly.
- Contact – Easy ways to reach you, no friction.
- Blog or Portfolio – Build trust, boost SEO, show your work.
Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Grow Smart
When it comes to websites, less is often more. You don’t need bells, whistles, animations, and 12 different dropdowns to make an impact. You just need a clear structure, good content, and thoughtful design — and a bit of your personality baked in.
Start with these five pages. Polish them. Promote them. And when you’re ready to scale, you’ll be building on a strong foundation.
And hey — if the idea of building your website still makes your head spin, that’s what we’re here for. Designing beautiful, functional, high-converting sites for small businesses is what we do. Drop us a line — we’d love to help you bring yours to life.
