If you've never had a business website before, the process can feel overwhelming. There's a sea of jargon — hosting, domains, CMS, SSL, SEO — and a thousand people trying to sell you something. This guide cuts through all of that. Whether you want to get a website built by a professional or understand what's involved before you talk to anyone, this is your plain-English starting point.
Step 1: Before You Get a Website Built, Gather These Essentials
The single biggest cause of slow website builds is the client not being prepared. Before you brief any web designer, gather the following:
- Your business name, ABN, and contact details — these go on the site and may affect your domain availability
- A short description of what your business does — written in plain language, not industry jargon
- The services or products you offer — a simple list to start with, details can come later
- Photos of your work, your team, or your premises — real photos always outperform stock images
- Any existing branding — logo files, brand colours, fonts if you have them
- Examples of websites you like — two or three URLs that give a designer a feel for your taste
- Your budget and timeline — even a rough idea helps a designer give you appropriate options
Step 2: Understand How to Get a Website Made — Your Main Options
There are four realistic paths to getting your first business website:
| Option | How It Works | Upfront Cost | Time Needed From You | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Builder (Wix, Squarespace) | You build it yourself using templates | $0–$80/month | 20–50+ hours | Very tight budgets with plenty of time |
| Freelance web designer | One person designs and builds your site | $1,500–$5,000 | 5–10 hours for briefing/reviews | Custom design on a budget |
| Web design agency | A team handles the full project | $5,000–$25,000+ | 5–15 hours | Complex sites or larger businesses |
| Monthly plan (WaaS) | Professional team builds + hosts, you pay monthly | $0 upfront | 2–4 hours for your input | Small businesses wanting quality without big upfront cost |
Step 3: What Happens After You Hire a Web Designer?
Once you've chosen a provider, here's the typical process — demystified:
- Discovery / briefing call — your designer asks questions about your business, goals, target customers, and preferences. This usually takes 30–60 minutes.
- Strategy and sitemap — the designer maps out the pages your site will have and the structure. You review and approve.
- Design concepts — visual mockups are created for your homepage and one or two inner pages. You give feedback.
- Content gathering — you provide your text, photos, and any other content. Some providers help with copywriting.
- Build phase — the designer codes or builds the site using your approved design. You may see a staging (preview) version to review.
- Testing and revisions — the site is tested across devices and browsers. You request any final changes.
- Launch — your domain is connected, the site goes live. Champagne optional.
Get a Website Built: What to Expect in the First Two Weeks
If you're working with a professional provider who has a clear process, a basic small business website can typically go from brief to live in 10–14 business days. The main variable is how quickly you supply your content and respond to feedback. Delays almost always happen on the client side, not the designer side — so having your materials ready upfront makes a significant difference.
A well-structured provider will give you a clear timeline at the outset, tell you exactly what they need from you and when, and communicate proactively if anything shifts.
Common Questions First-Timers Ask
"Do I need to buy my own domain name?" — Usually yes, though some bundled providers include domain registration in the plan. A .com.au domain costs $15–$25/year.
"Will my website show up on Google straight away?" — No. A new site takes days to weeks to be indexed by Google, and months to build rankings through SEO. A well-built site with proper SEO foundations will rank faster than one without.
"What if I want to change something after launch?" — This depends on your provider. Some charge hourly for changes; others include a monthly allowance. Always ask about this before you commit.
"Who owns the website?" — This varies significantly by provider and contract. Always clarify in writing what you're entitled to keep if you decide to move on.
Getting your first business website doesn't have to be complicated. At WebDevise, we guide first-time clients through the entire process with a clear, structured approach — from brief to live site in around two weeks, with no upfront cost. Start the conversation →