Starting your first website doesn't have to be overwhelming. Whether you're launching a portfolio, small business site, or blog, a structured approach makes it manageable. Here's how Scottish businesses can get it right from the start.
1. Define Your Goals and Audience
Before touching any code or design tools, ask yourself:
- What's the primary purpose of this website? (Sell products, share information, build your brand, generate leads)
- Who are you trying to reach? (Age group, interests, pain points)
- What action do you want visitors to take? (Contact you, make a purchase, subscribe to a newsletter)
Write these down. They'll guide every decision you make, from colour choices to the words on your homepage.
2. Plan Your Content Structure
Think about what pages you'll need. Most small business websites include:
- Homepage – Your digital storefront. Make it clear what you do within 3 seconds.
- About – Tell your story. People connect with people, not faceless companies.
- Services/Products – Be specific about what you offer and the problems you solve.
- Contact – Make it easy to reach you. Include a form, email, and phone number.
For each page, sketch out what information belongs there. You don't need fancy tools—pen and paper work great.
3. Choose Your Platform
You have several options depending on your technical skills and budget:
Website Builders (Easiest)
- Wix, Squarespace, or Weebly offer drag-and-drop interfaces
- Great for beginners, limited customisation
- Monthly fees typically £10-30
Content Management Systems (Balanced)
- WordPress powers 43% of all websites[1] for good reason
- Thousands of themes and plugins available
- Requires more learning but offers more control
Custom Development (Most Flexible)
- Frameworks like Nuxt, Next.js, or traditional HTML/CSS
- Complete control but requires technical knowledge
- Best when you need specific functionality
For most small businesses starting out, we recommend WordPress or a modern static site generator if you have some technical background.
4. Design for Your Users First
Good design isn't about looking fancy—it's about making things easy to use.
Keep it simple
- Use plenty of white space
- Stick to 2-3 fonts maximum
- Choose a colour palette of 3-4 colours
Make navigation obvious
- Keep your menu at the top
- Use clear labels (not clever ones)
- Every page should be 3 clicks or less from the homepage
Optimise for mobile
- Over 60% of web traffic comes from phones
- Test your site on an actual mobile device
- Make buttons big enough to tap easily
5. Write Clear, Helpful Content
Your website copy should sound like you're talking to a friend:
- Use short paragraphs (2-3 sentences)
- Break up text with headings
- Start with benefits, not features
- Include a clear call-to-action on every page
Don't try to sound corporate. Be genuine. If you sell handmade pottery, let your passion show through.
6. Basic SEO from Day One
You don't need to be an SEO expert, but doing these basics will help people find you:
- Page titles – Include relevant keywords naturally (e.g., "Handmade Pottery Edinburgh" or "Ceramics Workshop Leith")
- Meta descriptions – Write a compelling 150-character summary for each page
- Alt text for images – Describe what's in the image for accessibility and SEO
- Fast loading times – Compress images before uploading them
7. Set Up Essential Tools
Before launching, install:
- Analytics – Google Analytics or a privacy-focused alternative like Plausible
- Search Console – Google Search Console helps you monitor how you appear in search
- SSL Certificate – That little padlock in the browser. Most hosts include this free.
8. Launch and Iterate
Your first version doesn't need to be perfect. Get it live, then improve it based on real feedback.
On launch day:
- Test all links and forms
- Check on desktop, tablet, and phone
- Ask 3 friends to browse and give honest feedback
After launch:
- Check your analytics weekly
- Update content regularly
- Fix issues as they come up
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too much text – Nobody reads walls of text online. Break it up.
- No clear call-to-action – Tell people what to do next.
- Ignoring mobile users – Test on real devices, not just resize your browser.
- Setting and forgetting – Websites need maintenance and fresh content.
What's Next?
Once your site is live, focus on:
- Getting your first 100 visitors (share on social media, tell friends, add it to your email signature)
- Collecting feedback from real users
- Creating content that helps your audience (blog posts, guides, videos)
Remember, every successful website started somewhere. The key is to start, learn, and improve over time.
Need help getting your website off the ground? Get in touch – we'd love to help you create something you're proud of.