75% of potential customers judge a business or a service by their website. If you don't have one or you have a poorly designed one, you can lose credibility and customers fast.
So why doesn't every small business have a website? Well, traditionally you have 3 options:
- Hire a website designer or developer and pay them thousands of dollars to create something for you.
- Use a popular drag-and-drop website builder and do it yourself and spend days if not months battling the learning curve and trying to make it look professional.
- Code it yourself using.
But what if I told you that there is a fourth option, one that let's you can create a professional-looking website yourself, even if you are absolutely terrible with tech, and it’s only going to cost you less than $10 a month?
In this article, I’m going to show you step by step how you can create a professional-looking website with all of the tech done for you, customize it with your content, and launch it to your custom domain name, and you can follow along and do it with me in under 1 hour.
Why Siimple Works for Small Businesses
To create our website, we’re going to be using a no-code website builder called Siimple. As the name suggests, it’s much easier to use than any of the other website builders on the market, partially because it’s a one-page website builder.
Why simplicity matters for local businesses
Research has shown that simpler websites convert better: a Google study found that users judge visually complex websites as less appealing within 50 milliseconds, and websites with a clear structure and fewer distractions tend to see higher engagement and conversions. For local businesses, this means more customers and less bounce rate.
Local businesses often thrive on focusing their time and resources on their business rather than making designing a website their business—whether that's landscaping, locksmith services, or coaching. Siimple ensures you can create a website that looks like you spent months creating it, without actually having to.
Here’s what Siimple website builder includes:
- Website hosting: No separate hosting service needed.
- Custom domain support: Connect your own domain name.
- Analytics, contact forms, and SEO tools: All essential features included.
- Pre-made templates: Choose from many categories like coaching, course landing pages, locksmith, handyman, electrician, and lawn care.
Let’s take a closer look at how to get started:
Step 1: Choose a Template
Start by exploring the pre-made templates. There are options tailored for different industries. For example, let’s take a preview of the Lawn Care site. This is a template that includes demo content relevant to this type of business.
This demo wasn’t just randomly created; it was designed and laid out using decades of proven website templates that convert for small businesses. It has all the essential sections.
Why pre-made templates are a game-changer
For many small business owners, the hardest part of creating a website is knowing where to start. Siimple’s industry-specific templates are crafted based on what works, saving you the guesswork. Templates ensure your site is professional and conversion-friendly, giving your business the credibility it deserves from day one.
Studies have shown that websites with clear call-to-actions (CTAs) and structured layouts can increase conversions by up to 200%. Siimple’s templates are designed with these principles in mind, helping small businesses capture leads and grow their customer base effectively.
Once you’ve picked your template, click on the blue button in the top right to load it into your account. If you don’t have an account yet, make sure to sign up for one. Once you are logged into your account, you can also create a new site and choose a template directly from your dashboard.
Step 2: Customize Your Site
After loading your template, your site editor will open. This is where you can make all your customizations. Here are the three main areas to focus on:
- Page Sections: Add, remove, or edit sections. There are many to choose from, and you can mix and match as needed.
- Design Tab: Change the entire theme with pre-set styles. You can adjust colors, fonts, and button styles with just a few clicks.
- Settings Tab: Update the description of your site, set up a free subdomain, or connect your custom domain name.
Why less is more when it comes to customization
Over-customization can lead to wasted time and inconsistent designs that confuse visitors. Siimple focuses on the essentials, offering enough flexibility to match your branding while keeping the process streamlined. This ensures your site looks polished without requiring design expertise.
Simple designs are not just faster to create; they’re also more effective. Studies indicate that reducing the number of choices on a webpage can increase user satisfaction by 152% and lead to better decision-making. For small businesses, this means visitors are more likely to take the desired action, like contacting you or booking a service.
Step 3: Add Content and Features
Use Siimple’s intuitive tools to personalize your site:
- Magic Restyle Tool: Quickly adjust sections to match your brand.
- AI-Powered Content: Hover over a section and use the generate AI button to create engaging text automatically.
- Stock Photos and Icons: Replace placeholders with relevant visuals or icons.
- Interactive Features: Add maps, galleries, testimonials, and more to make your site functional and appealing.
How these features benefit local businesses
Interactive features like maps, contact forms, and testimonials are critical for local businesses. They make it easy for customers to find you, trust your services, and reach out directly. Siimple makes adding these elements straightforward, ensuring you can focus on your customers instead of tech challenges.
A well-designed contact form can make a big difference. Research shows that improving form design can increase submissions by up to 25%. By making it easy for customers to contact you, Siimple helps you convert visitors into leads.
Step 4: Connect a Custom Domain
If you already own a domain, you can easily connect it to your site. Siimple provides step-by-step instructions to update your DNS settings. This process is straightforward and usually takes about 24 hours to go live.
Why having a custom domain is essential
A custom domain name (e.g., www.yourbusiness.com) adds professionalism and helps build trust with customers. It makes your business appear established and credible, which is especially important for local businesses looking to stand out in competitive markets.
Step 5: Publish Your Site
When your website is ready, hit the Publish button. Everything you’ve worked on will go live. It’s completely free to try Siimple and build your site. You’ll only need to pay when you’re ready to unlock analytics and other advanced features.
Why speed matters for local businesses
Getting your site live quickly can have a direct impact on your business. Whether you’re announcing a new service, launching a promotion, or simply making your business more discoverable, a fast and simple publishing process ensures you’re not left waiting.
Why Siimple Is Ideal for Small Businesses
- Affordable: Costs less than $10 a month.
- Simple: No technical skills required.
- Effective: Professional templates designed for conversion.
Why simplicity leads to success
Local businesses thrive when they can focus on their customers, not on managing complex technology. Siimple’s streamlined approach ensures you get a functional, beautiful website without unnecessary complications, allowing you to dedicate more time to what truly matters: growing your business.
Get Started Today
Don’t let a lack of a website hold your business back. Try Siimple today, and see how quickly and easily you can get your site online. With just a few clicks, you’ll have a professional, mobile-ready, and responsive website that helps grow your business. Give it a spin and see the difference for yourself!
