If you’re a small business owner, your website is often the first place people will interact with your brand. Whether they’re searching for a local dog groomer, florist, or accountant, the experience they have on your website can make or break that all-important first impression.
A user-friendly website isn’t just about looks (though that helps too!). It’s about creating a space that’s easy to navigate, loads quickly, and helps visitors find the information they need without any fuss. Here are five key elements I focus on when designing websites for small businesses like yours:
1. Clear, Intuitive Navigation
Think of your website like a shopfront. If someone walks in and doesn’t know where anything is, they’ll likely walk right back out.
What works:
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- A simple menu with clear labels like “About”, “Services”, and “Contact”
- Keeping your most important pages just one or two clicks from the homepage
- Using calls-to-action that gently guide visitors—like “Book a Consultation” or “View Our Services”
- A good test? If someone unfamiliar with your business can navigate your site easily in under 30 seconds, you’re on the right track
2. Fast Loading Times
We all know the feeling—waiting for a slow website to load and eventually giving up. Your customers feel the same way.
Here’s how I help:
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- Optimising your images so they look great without weighing things down
- Avoiding clunky add-ons or plugins that slow performance
- Choosing reliable, UK-based hosting providers
- Speed isn’t just about convenience—it also helps with Google rankings, which is crucial for getting found by local customers
3. Mobile-Friendly Design
More than half of all website traffic comes from mobile devices. That means your site has to look and function just as well on a phone as it does on a laptop.
My approach:
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- I build every website to be responsive—automatically adjusting to different screen sizes
- I make sure buttons are easy to tap and text is easy to read
- I test your site across multiple devices before launch
- If your customers are scrolling on the go, let’s make sure your site keeps up
4. Easy to Read Content
Even the most beautifully designed website won’t do its job if visitors can’t quickly understand what you offer.
What I recommend:
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- Clear headings and short paragraphs
- Friendly, professional language that reflects your personality
- Highlighting the essentials: what you do, where you’re based, how to contact you
- I often help my clients refine their content to make it more engaging and effective—less waffle, more impact
5. Strong Visual Hierarchy
Visual hierarchy is a fancy way of saying “the stuff that matters should stand out.”
That means:
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- Key messages and calls-to-action are easy to spot
- Consistent use of fonts, colours, and spacing to make everything feel polished
- A layout that naturally guides the eye from top to bottom
- The result? A site that feels professional, trustworthy, and—most importantly—easy to use
Your website doesn’t need to be flashy or complex. In fact, the best small business websites are the ones that are simple, thoughtful, and tailored to the people they serve.
If you would like a friendly, no-jargon chat about your current site—or you’re starting fresh—I’d love to help.