I Need a Website, But I Don't Know Where to Start
If you've found yourself thinking, "I need a website, but I don't know where to start," you're not alone.
It's one of the most common questions new business owners ask.
The good news is that getting online is much simpler than it used to be. You don't need to know how to code, understand web design or spend weeks learning complicated software.
The first step is understanding what your business actually needs.
For many small businesses, the goal isn't to build a huge website—it's simply to create a professional online presence where customers can learn about the business and get in touch.
This guide will help you understand your options and choose the right place to start.
What's the First Thing I Need Before Creating a Website?
Before choosing any website platform, think about what you want your website to achieve.
Ask yourself:
What services do I offer?
Who are my customers?
What information will customers want to see?
How do I want people to contact me?
Do I need advanced features, or just a professional online presence?
Many business owners assume they need a complex website when, in reality, customers simply want to know who you are, what you do and how to contact you.
Understanding your goals makes choosing the right solution much easier.
There isn't a single right answer.
It depends on how much time, budget and control you want.
Build your own website if you:
Enjoy learning new software
Want complete control over the design
Have time to create and maintain your website
Hire a web designer if you:
Need a bespoke website
Want advanced functionality
Prefer a fully customised solution
Choose a professionally built business page if you:
Want to get online quickly
Don't want to build a website yourself
Need a simple, professional online presence
The best option depends on your business—not what everyone else is doing.
What Information Should I Prepare?
Regardless of which option you choose, it's helpful to prepare some basic information first.
Most businesses will need:
Business name
Description of what you do
List of services
Contact details
Business logo
Photos of your work
Links to your social media profiles
Customer reviews (if you have them)
Having this information ready makes the process much quicker.
With PageNow, this is the information you'll provide during the 5-minute onboarding form.
How Much Should I Expect to Spend?
Website costs vary considerably.
Building your own website may involve monthly subscription fees and the time needed to create and maintain it.
Hiring a web designer often requires a larger upfront investment. This is typically between £500 – £3,000 depending on the size and complexity of the project.
If your goal is simply to establish a professional online presence, there are more affordable alternatives.
PageNow costs £6.99 per month, giving small businesses a professionally built business page without a large upfront cost.
The right choice depends on your requirements rather than the price alone.
How Long Does It Usually Take to Launch a Website?
The timeline depends on the solution you choose.
Building a website yourself may take several weeks or months while you learn the platform and create your content.
Hiring a web designer often involves planning, revisions and feedback before the finished website is launched.
With PageNow, the process is much faster.
Complete the onboarding form and your professionally built business page will be live within 24 hours.
If technology isn't your strength, you don't have to build a website yourself.
Many business owners simply want someone to handle the technical side for them.
PageNow is designed for exactly that.
Instead of learning website software, choosing templates and arranging layouts, you simply tell us about your business.
We'll professionally build your business page and publish it within 24 hours.
No technical knowledge is required.
Many first-time website owners make the same mistakes.
Try to avoid:
Waiting until everything is "perfect" before launching
Choosing features you don't actually need
Making your website complicated to navigate
Forgetting to include clear contact details
Using poor-quality photos
Writing very little about your services
Not thinking about what customers actually want to know
Remember, your website isn't for you—it's for your customers.
A simple website that answers their questions is usually far more effective than a complicated one filled with unnecessary features.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don't know anything about websites. Can I still get online?
Yes. You don't need technical knowledge to establish a professional online presence. Services like PageNow are designed specifically for business owners who don't want to build a website themselves.
Do I need a custom website?
Not always. Many service-based businesses only need a professional page where customers can learn about their services and make contact.
How quickly can I get online?
With PageNow, your professionally built business page will be live within 24 hours of completing the onboarding form.
What's the easiest way to get a professional website?
For many small businesses, using a professionally built business page service is one of the quickest and simplest ways to establish an online presence.
Should I use social media instead of a website?
Social media is valuable, but it's usually most effective when combined with a dedicated business page where customers can easily find all of your key information.
Can I update my PageNow business page later?
Yes. You can request updates whenever your business information, services or photos change.
Ready to Get Your Business Online?
PageNow makes it easy to get your business online with a professionally built business page—without the time, cost or complexity of building a website yourself.
✓ Live within 24 hours
✓ 5-minute onboarding
✓ Professionally built for you
✓ Just £6.99/month
✓ Cancel anytime
Get started today and let us build your business page, so you can focus on running your business.
