Building a Website that Works: The Essentials

In a world where folks Google everything from the best coffee shop to family photographers, your business needs a website that actually works—not just looks pretty. Whether you're running a small-town bakery, starting a nonprofit, or offering creative services like photography or social media help, a good website isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Start Smart—Don’t Just Hit “Publish”

One of the biggest mistakes we see? Folks get excited, buy a domain, toss up a homepage, and go live before the foundation is solid. We get it—you're eager to launch! But just like building a barn or planting your summer garden, you’ve got to prep the ground first.

Take time to answer questions like:

• Who am I trying to reach?

• What do I want them to do when they land on my website?

• What makes my business different?

It’s better to start small, get your ducks in a row, and grow with confidence than to scramble to fix things later.

Key Elements Every Website Needs

Let’s break it down. No matter what kind of business you run, your site should include:

1. Clear Messaging

Right away, visitors should know what you do and who you serve. Use simple, friendly language that reflects your personality. No need for jargon—just be real.

2. Easy Navigation

Your website should feel like walking into a tidy general store. Everything has a place, and folks can find what they need. Keep your menu clean with main pages like:

• Home

• About

• Services or Products

• Contact

Bonus if you include a blog or FAQs!

3. Mobile-Friendly Design

More than half your visitors are probably on their phones. If your site looks clunky or loads slow on mobile, that’s a problem. Choose templates or builders (like Wix, Squarespace, or Showit, and Wordpress-if you have the time) that automatically adapt to smaller screens.

4. SEO Basics

Search Engine Optimization sounds fancy, but it’s really just about helping people find you online. Use keywords your audience would search (like “family photographer in Rice Lake” or “custom wood signs Turtle Lake”), add location tags, and update your site regularly with new content.

Budget-Friendly Website Options

Just starting out? You don’t need a $5,000 custom site. Here are some great options:

• Wix or Squarespace: User-friendly and affordable with modern templates.

• WordPress (with Elementor or Divi): Great for customization if you’re a little tech-savvy.

• Showit: Excellent for photographers and creatives who want full design control.

As your business grows, you can always upgrade or hire someone to take it to the next level.

Quick Website Audit Checklist

Here’s a handy way to see if your current website’s pulling its weight:

✅ Is your homepage clear and welcoming?

✅ Can visitors easily find your services or products?

✅ Is your contact info easy to find?

✅ Does your site look great on phones and tablets?

✅ Are you using keywords related to your business and location?

✅ Do all your links work?

✅ Is it easy to update on your own?

If you answered “no” to a few of those, no worries—now you know what to tackle next.

What Do You Want to Know?

At Bright Iris Media, we believe a good website should work hard so you don’t have to chase every lead. Cause, well, we've been there!

Got questions about website platforms, blog strategy, or what to write on your About page? Let us know! We’re here to help.

Ready to Make Your Website Work Harder for You?Download our free Website Essentials Checklist and take the guesswork out of what your site really needs.

Whether you’re just getting started or doing a little spring cleaning, we’ve got your back.

👉 [Grab the Checklist]

Got questions or stuck on something? Hit reply or shoot us a message—we’d love to help!