How to Create a Simple Business Website (Without Coding)

You don't need to be a developer to have a professional business website. In fact, some of the best small business sites out there were built by people who couldn't tell HTML from a hole in the ground. With today's no-code website builders, creating a simple, effective online presence is something you can do in a weekend — often for less than £20 a month.

This guide walks you through the whole process, from choosing a platform to publishing your finished site.

Why Every Sole Trader Needs a Website

Before we get into the how, let's talk about the why — because there are still plenty of sole traders who think a Facebook page or an Instagram profile is enough. It's not, and here's why:

You don't own your social media presence. Platforms change their algorithms, their rules, and sometimes they disappear entirely. Your website is yours. Nobody can take it away or throttle your visibility.

Clients expect it. When someone hears about your business and wants to learn more, the first thing they'll do is search for you online. If they find a professional website, they feel reassured. If they find nothing — or just a sparse social media profile — they may move on to someone else.

It works while you sleep. A good website answers common questions, showcases your work, and generates enquiries 24 hours a day. It's your hardest-working employee, and it doesn't need a lunch break.

It gives you credibility. A clean, well-structured website signals that you take your business seriously. This matters when you're a sole trader competing against larger firms — it levels the playing field.

A website also complements the other building blocks of a professional business. You've registered as self-employed, you've got a business bank account, and your bookkeeping is sorted. A website ties it all together and gives your business a public face.

Choosing the Right Platform

There are dozens of website builders available, but for sole traders, these are the ones worth considering:

Squarespace Best for: Service-based businesses that want to look polished. Squarespace has some of the most attractive templates on the market. The designs are modern and clean, and the editing interface is intuitive. Plans start at around £13 per month, and you get a free custom domain for the first year.

Wix Best for: Flexibility and customisation. Wix offers enormous creative freedom — you can drag and drop elements anywhere on the page. It has a free plan (with Wix branding and ads) and paid plans starting at around £8 per month. The app market is extensive, so you can add features like booking systems and contact forms easily.

WordPress.com (not self-hosted WordPress.org) Best for: Bloggers and content-heavy sites. WordPress.com is the hosted version of the world's most popular content management system. It's powerful and scalable. Plans with a custom domain start at around £4 per month. The learning curve is a little steeper than Squarespace or Wix, but the flexibility is hard to beat.

Carrd Best for: One-page sites on a budget. If you just need a simple landing page with your contact details, services, and perhaps a testimonial or two, Carrd does this brilliantly for as little as £15 per year. It's not suited for complex sites, but for many sole traders, one page is all you need.

Google Sites Best for: The absolute simplest option. Google Sites is free and incredibly easy to use. The templates are basic, but if your primary goal is simply to exist online with your contact details visible, it does the job.

For most sole traders, Squarespace or Wix will strike the right balance between ease of use, professional appearance, and cost.

The Essential Pages Your Website Needs

You don't need dozens of pages. For a sole trader, these five are the foundation:

1. Home page This is your first impression. It should clearly communicate what you do, who you do it for, and how to get in touch. Keep it simple — a headline, a brief introduction, and a clear call to action (such as "Get a free quote" or "Book a consultation").

2. About page People buy from people, especially when you're a sole trader. Your about page should tell your story — who you are, why you do what you do, and what makes you different. Include a professional photo if possible. It doesn't need to be a studio headshot — a well-lit, friendly photo taken on a modern phone is perfectly fine.

3. Services page List what you offer, with enough detail that visitors understand what's included. If you can include indicative pricing, do — it saves time for both you and potential clients. If your pricing varies, consider using "starting from" prices or offering a free consultation to discuss.

4. Testimonials or portfolio page Social proof is powerful. Even two or three genuine testimonials can make a significant difference. If your work is visual (photography, design, construction, gardening), include photos of your best work. If it's not, client quotes work brilliantly.

5. Contact page Make it easy for people to reach you. Include a contact form, your email address, your phone number (if you're comfortable sharing it), and your location or service area. If you use a booking tool, embed it here.

That's it. Five pages. You can always add more later, but starting with these gives you a complete, professional website that does its job.

Step-by-Step: Building Your Site

Here's the general process, regardless of which platform you choose:

1. Sign up and choose a template. Pick a template that suits your industry. Most platforms let you preview templates before committing. Choose one that's clean and easy to navigate — avoid anything overly flashy.

2. Customise the design. Add your business name, logo (if you have one), and brand colours. Consistency matters — use the same colours and fonts throughout. If you don't have a logo, your business name in a clean font works perfectly well.

3. Add your content. Write the text for each page. Keep your language clear and conversational — write as you'd speak to a potential client. Avoid jargon. Use short paragraphs and subheadings to make the text easy to scan.

4. Add images. Use high-quality images that represent your work. If you don't have your own photos, free stock image sites like Unsplash and Pexels offer excellent options. Avoid generic corporate stock photos — they'll make your site look impersonal.

5. Set up your domain. Connect your custom domain (e.g., yourbusiness.co.uk). If you've already registered one for your business email, point it at your website too. If not, most platforms let you register a domain during setup.

6. Check the mobile version. More than half of all web traffic in the UK comes from mobile devices. Preview your site on a phone and make sure everything looks right, loads quickly, and is easy to tap.

7. Publish. Hit the publish button. Your website is live. It doesn't need to be perfect — you can refine it over time. The most important thing is to get it out there.

What It Costs

Here's a realistic budget for a sole trader's website:

| Item | Cost | |------|------| | Website builder (e.g., Squarespace) | £13–£20/month | | Domain name (.co.uk) | £8–£15/year (often free for the first year) | | Stock photos | Free (Unsplash, Pexels) | | Total first year | £150–£255 |

If you already have a domain from setting up your business email, you'll save a few pounds there. And if you opt for a free or very cheap platform like Carrd or Google Sites, you can get online for almost nothing.

SEO Basics — Getting Found on Google

A beautiful website is no use if nobody finds it. Here are a few basic search engine optimisation (SEO) steps that make a real difference:

• Write a clear page title and meta description for every page. These are what appear in Google search results. Include your location and main service — for example, "Jane Doe Plumbing — Emergency Plumber in Bristol."
• Use headings properly. Your main heading should be an H1, with subheadings as H2s and H3s. This helps Google understand the structure of your content.
• Add alt text to images. Describe what's in each image. This helps Google and also makes your site accessible to people using screen readers.
• Claim your Google Business Profile. It's free and helps you appear in local search results and on Google Maps. For local service businesses, this can be more valuable than the website itself.
• Keep your site fast. Compress images before uploading, avoid unnecessary animations, and choose a platform known for fast loading times.

You don't need to become an SEO expert. These basics will put you ahead of the majority of small business websites.

Keeping Your Site Updated

A common mistake is building a website and then forgetting about it. Your site should be a living thing — kept current and relevant:

• Update your services and pricing when they change
• Add new testimonials as you receive them
• Refresh your portfolio with recent work
• Consider adding a blog to share your expertise (it's great for SEO too)

Even checking in once a month to make sure everything's current is enough. Your website is part of the professional image you project alongside your branded emails, your organised finances, and your prompt invoicing. Speaking of which, if your bookkeeping is still a work in progress, Accounted and Penny can help get that sorted — so everything from your website to your tax return reflects a business that's running smoothly.

If you're also working on building a personal brand, your website is the cornerstone of that effort.

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Related reading:

• Do I Need a Business Bank Account as a Sole Trader?
• Build a Personal Brand as a Sole Trader
• Best Business Bank Accounts 2026

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Accounted helps UK sole traders stay on top of their bookkeeping and tax. Start your free 30-day trial at getaccounted.co.uk

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