Website Options for Small Business Owners in 2025: A Practical, No-Nonsense Guide

Introduction: Websites, Overwhelm, and Why You’re Not Alone

If you’ve been putting off your website because it feels too expensive, too techy, or just too hard, you’re in good company.

I work with small business owners across all sorts of industries, from counselling to home organisation to beauty services, and the website is always the thing that quietly sits in the “I’ll deal with it later” pile.

But here’s the good news: it’s 2025, and building a website no longer needs to cost you $5,000, 17 tabs open, and your sanity. Whether you’re neurodivergent, time-poor, or just trying to launch something you believe in, this guide will walk you through what your real options are - and help you take action with confidence.

Do You Even Need a Website Yet?

Here’s a hot take: Not everyone needs a full website right away.

If you’re just starting out, a Linktree or Notion landing page might be all you need. Something simple that lets people know:

• What you do

• Who you help

• How to contact or book you

👉 Start here if:

• You’re still testing your offer

• You’re promoting mainly through socials

• Your clients already come from referrals

👉 Move to a full site when:

• You want to grow your reach (hello, Google!)

• You need to streamline bookings or payments

• You want to look more “legit” for grants, funding, or networking

In fact, when I started Ninth Koi Business Solutions, I built my first website in 48 hours - just enough to get me out there. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked. And now? I’ve upgraded it to reflect where I am now - not where I thought I had to be to launch.

What Should a “Good” Website Actually Do?

Forget bells and whistles. A good small business website should do three things, really well:

1. Tell people what you do

2. Tell them how to take the next step

3. Make it easy for them to do it

Let’s break that down:

• One clear call to action (Book a consult, Download this, Contact me)

• Simple structure (Home, About, Services, Contact = perfect)

• Mobile-friendly (because 75% of Australians browse on phones)

• Findable (basic SEO like page titles and descriptions is a win)

According to the ASBFEO, only 50% of small businesses in Australia currently have a website—so just having one already gives you a leg up.

Website Options by Budget (What’s Actually Doable)

Here’s the part no one breaks down properly: what you can get at different price points.

Real talk? Most service-based businesses can get everything they need between $500–$1500 if they work with someone who focuses on clarity over complexity.

I help clients choose based on how their brain works, not what’s trending.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Waiting until it’s perfect

❌ Choosing a platform just because “someone else uses it”

❌ Adding too many pages or features before you need them

❌ Ignoring the mobile version (dealbreaker in 2025)

Signs Your Website is Holding You Back

• You're embarrassed to share the link

• People visit but don’t take action

• You keep saying “I just need to update it…”

• You're doing most of your explaining in DMs or emails

If this is you, it’s not your fault - it’s your site. And you can fix that.

How to Choose the Right Website Option for You

Start by asking:

• What do I actually need it to do right now?

• How comfortable am I with tech or DIY?

• What’s my budget and my time capacity?

Tip: You can always start small and build later. You don’t need a 10-page site to show up professionally.

When in doubt, get someone to walk you through your options (hi 👋).

A Quick Client Story (Because Proof Helps)

Milly is a service-based business owner who came to me overwhelmed by the tech side of websites. We built a site that was clean, simple, and strategic. She said:

Because that’s what a good website does: it gives you clarity, traction, and the confidence to show up.

Conclusion: Start Where You Are

You don’t need to drop thousands to have a website that works.
You don’t need to be techy, design-savvy, or even “ready.”
You just need to start.

And if you want a calm, collaborative, zero-jargon chat about what that looks like for you?

👉 Book a free website consultation and let’s find what works for your business - and your brain.

FAQs

1. How much does a small business website cost in Australia?
Anywhere from $0 (for a Notion or Carrd page) up to $5,000+. Most service businesses get what they need between $500–$2,500.

2. Can I build a website myself without coding?
Absolutely. Wix, Squarespace, and Hostinger are all DIY-friendly. WordPress is doable too with a bit of support.

3. Which platform is better—Wix or Squarespace?
Wix = more flexibility. Squarespace = better for visual brands. Both are solid—choose what suits your brain.

4. Do I need SEO right away?
Basic SEO? Yes. It helps Google find you. But you don’t need to hire an SEO agency to launch.

5. What pages should I include on my site?
Home, About, Services, Contact. That’s plenty to start.

6. Can I start with one page and grow later?
Yes! And that’s often the smartest option. Start small, launch faster, evolve as needed.

External Resources

• Setting Up a Business Website – business.gov.au

• Digital Tools for Small Businesses – ASBFEO

• Website Design Best Practices – Neil Patel