What do you need before you start?
Just three things: your business name, a clear description of what you do, and a way for a customer to contact you. A good first page doesn't need ten sections or a long company history. It needs to answer who you help, what you offer, and what someone should do next.
Give your business a name
Use the name customers will recognize. Keep it consistent with social media profiles and any storefront signage. In the WHATIF Website Starter, enter the name and watch it appear in the preview.
Say what you do in plain English
Start with one sentence. Mention the kind of service or product, who it is for, and—if relevant—your service area. You can add the key services later.
That tells a visitor much more than a generic slogan such as "Quality you can trust." You can still add personality in your headline.
Add a contact method, then choose your look
Use an email address or phone number you actually monitor. Select a color design that suits the business. Check the mobile preview, proofread the details and choose Download my website. You'll get a standalone HTML file.
What happens after you download?
The file is a starting point you own and can keep. A downloaded website is not automatically published online. To make it available to customers, you'll need web hosting, and you can optionally connect your own domain. The starter doesn't provide hosting, live form processing, online checkout or a customer account.
Before publishing, check your details, test the contact links on a phone, make sure text is readable over the chosen background, and add authentic photos or information that helps visitors trust the business.
What makes a first business website useful?
- A clear headline: explain what the business offers.
- Easy contact: put the next step where visitors can see it.
- Phone-friendly layout: review the page on the device customers are likely to use.
- Accurate details: don't invent reviews, prices, opening hours or credentials.
- One focused goal: make it easy to contact you rather than overwhelming visitors with options.
Ready to see your idea?
You can try a made-up business, just like testing a design on paper. Pick a style, answer three quick questions and see what it looks like. No signup is required to generate and download your starter website.
MAKE MY FIRST WEBSITE ↗