Greetings, small business owners! Want to boost your online presence to reach more customers? Then you’re in the right place!
Our experts evaluated based on design, functionality, uniqueness, and user experience. We focused mainly on WordPress websites—the most common choice for small businesses—but also included some great examples from WooCommerce, Shopify, Wix, and other platforms.
Gain inspiration and valuable tips to help your website stand out. Explore website examples from retail stores, service businesses, restaurants & cafes, home-based businesses, and local manufacturers. For more ideas, visit our greatest web design examples article!
Top Small Business Website Designs
1. Chicago French Press
We appreciated how white, black and gold are used to create a custom look. This logo grabbed our attention because of its modern feel and it used a landmark of Chicago. Using a blend of bold and decorative fonts was perfect. A staggered look for images and text was another reason why we included into this list.
2. Mill City Property Management
There was a good balance of colors and fonts here that makes it easy to look at. There was lots of short paragraphs that made it easy to understand their content. Using larger images to help break up written information was very smart, and helps with overall organization. Buttons are also used to get customers exploring more information.
3. Traackr
There was lots of graphics mixed with a beautiful color palate. We also felt like they did a good job customizing images to make them look like their own. It was cool how an aspect of their logo was repeated over and over. Using icons to help organize this navigation bar was something else that we really liked. Another feature in this clean example we liked was their simple but professional text.
4. Soundstripe
We loved how there’s a bright pink accent that highlights lots of great information. Having a search bar was something that we enjoyed. There was also lots of balanced white space that helps keep everything looking sharp. While most of these share this quality, we thought Soundstripe did a nice job with short and straightforward paragraphs. Soundstripe clearly had usability in mind when creating smooth transitions.
5. World Financial Group
Lots of buttons are used to enhance usability which was very impactful. Another design quality we liked was their showcase of companies they represent. This logo also caught our eyes because of its uniqueness. A button to locate an agent was also very helpful. A navigation bar that was very organized with drop downs was extremely helpful.
6. Christianos Pizza
So many high quality images are included here to get customers excited about tasty food. We also loved how there was a variety of icons relating to their business. Adding in a photo gallery was also helpful for people to stay connected with this business. Their domain is simple and matches with their business name which is totally smart. A drop down showcasing all their locations was very helpful.
7. Moving Waldo
Orange accents help to liven up this example and highlight what’s important. Using bullet points to help logically organize some of their information was also a good choice. Interesting photo frames and layered images can be noticed on multiple pages of Moving Waldo. A frequently asked questions section was another feature that we absolutely loved.
8. Milk Jar Candle Co.
Having original images that really harness how they wish their brand to be perceived was an amazing feature within this company. Their fun icons noticed on their packaging was something else that is playful, making them stand out. Bright colors were also used very effectively to create an engaging look. They had marketing in mind when designing a scent seer feature, allowing viewers to pick different general scents they enjoy to give them recommendations.
9. Our Place
Having little new tags showing products recently released. Additionally, showing ways that customers can save money was also a very helpful aspect. Allowing for a variety of color options was something else that we felt was refreshing. Their large customer review section was also very useful. A search bar was another feature that we really liked.
10. Stone Arch Brewpub
Graphics and images were likely the best features within Stone Arch Brewpub. We really liked how they included lots of event opportunities for all kinds of people. This unique logo really helped them stand out from other small pubs. A relaxing color palette was used that made sense for their brand. Their footer was very well organized and included lots of information.
11. Vessi
Right away, we liked how videos were used to grab attention of customers. A pop-up shows up for a mystery discount based on what you are shopping for. We also felt that their bright blue color used for image backgrounds and other accents looked great. White space was very well balanced, making it fairly easy to find a variety of information.
12. Moment Skis
Images are beautiful in this example – some vibrant, some black and white. We loved how many images changed upon hover to show their love for skiing. A page dedicated to sale items was another thing that we enjoyed. Allowing for lots of different colors and products helps them, but also helps their customers.
13. Vortic Watches
High quality visuals appeared everywhere within this example. We loved how as you scroll, a large watch image seamlessly transforms into different watch styles. Lots of customer reviews can be found to get new people excited about these products. Their ability to transform a pocket watch into a wrist watch was something that will help this company stand out.
14. Qualified
An automatically playing video to grab attention right away was something that we liked. Having an AI chatbot was helpful to some, giving a possibility to answer quick questions. Bright ombre colors help them stand out from many of their competitors. Their interesting logo is sure to be remembered. Keeping information logically placed was another pleasing quality that we enjoyed.
15. Shwood Eyewear
Shywood Eyewear does a great job showing off their current collaboration products. An easily noticed feature of Shywood Eyewear we liked was how imagery tends to break up content. Upon clicking on a product, information about that product can be found. We loved how within that information they included bullet points to keep things simple and organized.
16. Kraftful
This is a good example because of their way of guiding customers through steps. Everything is written simply so that customers can understand. Simplicity is something they did well with for their template – white space is even balanced very well. Basic but professional font was another reason why we included Kraftful into our list. Adding in an informational blog was another feature that took them to another level.
17. Rye Restaurant
High quality visuals is definitely Rye Restaurant’s best feature. Additionally, they showcase what certain areas of their restaurant looks like, which gets people excited to visit. Their bold font was another part of their site that we really liked. Another design quality in this one that we enjoyed was their simple steps for reservations. They clearly had digital marketing in mind when allowing customers to view their entire menu online.
18. Incomee
We loved this simple color palette that is both relaxing and professional. The overall look and feel of this homepage caught our attention because of this clean design was free of distractions. We also liked how they layered images and graphics in order to create a unique look. They also used a domain that is simple and matches their company name, which we liked.
19. Rhone
This example with minimal colors was very professional and allowed for images of their products to guide viewers’ eyes. A template that was simple and easy to follow was a very impactful quality. Including posts from Instagram was something that we also felt was very helpful. Navigation bars within this site are very organized and include lots of information. We loved their slight accents of green to bring attention towards small bits of information.
20. RISE
Simplistic fonts are used to create a more basic feel. Having their logo be simple with a little bird created a sense of morning time, and we loved how it looked. Their pleasing color scheme was very good looking, and we enjoyed it a lot. We thought it was cool how they used images of their dishes prepared on a plate. RISE had usability in mind when balancing their white space.
21. Studio Neat
This is an overall minimalistic company selling writing tools and other office gadgets. Their color that explodes upon hover was a great addition. Their logo is also very simplistic, which makes sense for their site and products. Being able to sign up for their newsletter was another feature we liked. Subtle accents of blue looked great in this example.
22. New York Bug Killers
Here’s another great example to consider because of their honeycomb shapes that match with their business. Additionally, using a navigation bar that is really simple to find information was brilliant. Including a map to show areas that they service will prove to be helpful to customers. Many graphics are included to help improve their visual appeal.
23. Coastal Yacht Management
This one effectively conveys a sense of cleanliness and luxury. Generous white space is provided while still being well-balanced, ensuring the layout doesn’t feel cluttered. This logo gives an impression of exclusivity, resembling that of a prestigious club. Using blue complements imagery within, reinforcing their water theme and yacht management.
24. Tailwaggers Doggy Daycare
We loved how many interesting fonts were used here, making it look more personal. Lots of images of puppers are included, which makes sense for them. We loved their red accents that appear to highlight information and buttons. Their logo evoked a sense of energy, which is something that people resemble with puppies.
25. Izzy Wheels
We really love this example, mainly because of their bright colors. Allowing for product collections with big brands like Disney is something that is great for a small business like this one. We also really loved how touching their business story is – and they include it. A page dedicated to their public speaking (along with a request form) was also a very nice choice.
26. Fresh Air Technologies
We liked how different sized fonts are used to help certain parts of their design stand out more. Their use of different shades of blue was another thing that we really liked. Our web designers thought this was a good example because of their effective use of white space. Another thoughtful quality that we typically enjoy is a customer review section.
27. Tattly
For tattoo lovers of any age, you will instantly be engaged in this example. They use an artsy font for their logo, and include lots of colors. Showcasing many of their products on smiling people of all ages was a great choice. Being able to shop by categories like florals, real tattoo artists, kids, bestsellers and more was something we really liked. Being able to shop by tattoo color was another feature that stood out to us.
28. Pop Chart
We loved fonts that are used within this custom site. A unique selection of posters that are neatly organized into sections makes it exciting for people to search for a product. Incorporating social media is always a great choice for companies like this one. Their domain was also simple, making it seem more relevant with their business.
29. Discovery Land Global
This overall design is amazing – there is lots of color and everything is well balanced. As you scroll through, you might notice their use of large buttons to draw attention towards additional information. Having a well organized navigation bar is always extremely helpful to include. Paragraphs were short and straightforward, which was overall great.
30. Big Boi
This logo caught out eye right away. It looks interesting, it’s simple and it doesn’t use too many colors. Additionally, their images make viewers wish they could just reach into their screen and taste their food. We loved how in lots of areas they use white and tan colors over black for a more stunning look. Including their Instagram account right into their homepage was a feature we loved.
31. Local Baskit
Here we have an example that truly showcases how local this business is. Using checkboxes to show what to expect from their services was something we really enjoyed. We felt that their yellow accents allowed for a vibrant and happy design. Occasionally, small graphics were used to add another sense of visuals to their page. They also did a great job balancing their white space throughout this template.
32. Zee Dog
We liked how this business finds a way to allow a variety of products in many colors and patterns. Having collections that come out regularly was another thing that we enjoyed. Zee Dog did such a good job expanding on their products but also coming into other pet markets like cats. Having a small banner to show their current sales on their products of shipping was something else they did well with.
33. Kustom Thrills
Kustom Thrills has an unforgettable design. Their font and layout is very cohesive but extremely artistic, which is what makes sense for such an expressive business. Additionally, individual images and portfolios for each team member was refreshing and helpful for those wishing to book an appointment. Selling merch alongside their main service was also a good choice.
34. Native Union
Native Union keeps a simple look maintained, which is what they strive for as a brand, so it makes sense. We thought it was a cool feature to have “For my ____, I need a _____” that helps customers find what products they are looking for. Having a section that explains their what they believe in is a very strong business choice that we loved. Another feature that we appreciated was their fast and easy checkout process.
35. Denver Cabinet Express
A live chat can be noticed almost immediately to help answer questions. We loved their green accents that create a natural, calming feel. After scrolling for a bit, you’ll notice how sketches of each of their cabinets can be found to show just what you’ll be getting. Denver Cabinet Express had ease of use in mind when designing a navigation bar with individual categories.
36. Ginger & Baker
If you are looking to use lots of images and videos, here’s an example for you. These images are high quality, and speak a thousand words. Their font was creative, but still classy. Including a variety of classes and events within their website on a calendar was another great idea. We also enjoyed how they creating a company blog.
37. Silk & Willow
Silk & Willow takes an interesting approach on wedding services. Instead of the typical white and bright accent colors, it uses lots of muted colors and grays – helping them stand out. Their images were stunning with their rich dark backgrounds. Their font was a cool addition looking like a typewriter almost. Including lots of buttons to help keep a good flow without being annoyed by buttons was something else they did well with.
38. The Wild Pine
This example knew how to create a design that looks unique and really shows off their products. Their interesting color palette was another thing that we noticed because it truly displayed a feel that matched their products. Having customer service reviews but labeling it “kind words” was an interesting touch. The Wild Pine’s logo truly showed their focus on handcrafting their products.
39. Storehouse Tea
There was lots of images that really show off what this business is all about. We felt that their addition of graphics looking like plants was another great choice. Their accent of green was another feature that we e enjoyed quite a bit. A captivating font was also used to allow for a more professional design overall. Including reviews and an AI generated summary of all their reviews was a neat touch.
40. Texas Beard Company
We loved how many of these packaging designs are showcased, showing off their variety. Including images that show off their scents was a unique touch. A simplistic feel is used in order to get customers excited about this product. We also enjoyed how Texas Beard used their logo on each and every package.
41. Complete Canine Companion
This company’s color palette really helps elevate this example to a whole other level. Many pictures of happy dogs and their products are included to gain trust with customers. A variety of different text sizes are included to separate titles, subtitles and body text so readers can skim through. Brightly colored buttons can also be noticed.
42. Sweet Dreams
This is a great example for small businesses looking for a professional website design. As you scroll through the homepage, one of the design qualities you’ll notice is their template that seems authentic to their product. The optimized content was refreshing for a custom small business website. They clearly had website marketing in mind when designing the clearly labeled menu for their website. Be sure to consider the one-of-a-kind design of this small business website when building out your next website.
Creating an Outstanding Website for Your Small Business
Building a website for your small business? How exciting!
Here are key steps for creating or redesigning your site.
Already have a domain, hosting, and platform? Feel free to skip ahead!
1.) Acquiring a Domain Name
Choosing a domain name is important when establishing your online identity. It’s your website’s address and essential for branding and recognition.
Follow these steps to find the perfect domain:
- Brainstorm: Start by coming up with domain names based on your business name, products or services, and location.
- Simplicity: Keep your domain simple, easy to spell, and pronounce—avoid complex words, hyphens, and numbers.
- Consistency: If you have an established name, include it in your domain. For example, if you’re “Kimberly Local Business,” avoid unrelated names like “MakingItHappenOnline.net.”
- Availability: Check if your desired domain is available. Many popular names are already taken; if so, see if it’s for sale—but avoid spending too much on it.
- Domain Extensions: Choose an extension that fits your website’s purpose. While .com is most popular, alternatives include .net, .org, and industry-specific options like .biz.
- Legal Considerations: Before registering your domain, perform a trademark search to ensure you’re not infringing on another company’s intellectual property.
- Register the Domain: Once you’ve chosen your domain, register it through a reputable registrar. We recommend GoDaddy and Namecheap for their user-friendly platforms.
2.) Selecting a Website Platform
After figuring out a domain name, you’ll need to select a platform. You’ll likely want to develop content-based websites with phone numbers, live chats, contact forms, lead magnets, or appointment calendars to drive conversions.
For Content Websites:
For small businesses, there are several suitable website platform options available:
- WordPress: WordPress is a highly versatile and widely used content management system (CMS) that provides extensive flexibility and customization options. With lots of themes and useful plugins, it allows you to create something tailored to your needs. While there’s a hosted version of WordPress, most users opt for the open-source version installed on a web hosting account.
- Wix: Wix is comparable to WordPress in terms of page building features, but it is a hosted solution. We have experience working on websites built on Wix, and it’s a solid page builder option. With Wix, you won’t require a separate web hosting service.
For Ecommerce Websites:
If your small business sells products online, you might like WooCommerce or Shopify as for your platform.
- WooCommerce: If you plan to create an online store using WordPress, WooCommerce is ideal. It seamlessly integrates with WordPress, allowing you to add functionality to your existing site. With a wide range of extensions, payment gateways, and inventory management tools, WooCommerce is a perfect choice.
- Shopify: The Shopify platform is another solution that provides everything you need to create and manage your business. It is a hosted ecommerce platform, eliminating the need to find a separate web hosting service. Like other solutions, Shopify offers a user-friendly interface, customizable themes, built-in security, and a range of features for inventory management, payments, and shipping.
Web Hosting Requirements
If you choose a platform like WordPress or WooCommerce, you’ll need to find a reliable web hosting service for your small business website.
As a recommendation, we often suggest our own web hosting service, which is excellent for WordPress. If you prefer recommendations from other hosting companies, consider the following:
- WP Engine: WP Engine offers a great control panel that simplifies the creation of staging websites. Their backup process is seamless. However, a downside we’ve encountered was the limits they impose on PHP max_execution_time. Additionally, their pricing can increase rapidly if you require upgraded services.
- SiteGround: We have always had a positive experience working with SiteGround. Their live chat and email support are excellent compared to more well-known hosting firms. Their backup tools are user-friendly, and they offer reasonable pricing for small businesses.
- Digital Ocean: This is a great option for cloud hosting, but it may be too advanced for some companies. We have never encountered issues with Digital Ocean‘s cloud network. But cloud hosting can become expensive when factoring in droplet (server instance) costs, along with operating system, control panel, server software, offsite backup, and server management fees. For server administration, we recommend checking out AdminGeekZ.
3.) Selecting a Website Template
For most small businesses, it’s cost-effective and efficient to purchase and customize a pre-designed layout. However, if you prefer a custom design, you can always hire a professional web developer or ecommerce developer to create a theme from scratch.
Here are some links for pre-built templates:
WordPress Business Themes
You can find free themes at wordpress.org or explore business templates at ThemeForest.
Ohlala – Themeforest
$59
Don Peppe – Themeforest
$79
Brewski – Themeforest
$79
MoveMe – Themeforest
$69
WooCommerce Business Themes
You’ll find numerous ecommerce themes for WooCommerce on ThemeForest.
MeloKids – Themeforest
$59
TheCrate – Themeforest
$59
CleanSkin – Themeforest
$69
Larcorso – Themeforest
$110
Shopify Business Themes
Discover free and paid themes at themes.shopify.com or explore options through marketplaces like ThemeForest.
Decorks – Themeforest
$56
Boutique – Themeforest
$99
Pookal – Themeforest
$69
Kofi – Themeforest
$39
Wix Business Themes
Find free and paid themes in the marketplace at wix.com, including options suitable for small businesses.
4.) Crafting Content & Adding Images
Now that you have your domain name, website platform, and theme in place, it’s time to start developing content!
Here are some helpful tips for creating engaging and effective information:
- Know your target audience: Understand their demographics, preferences, and needs. Tailor content to address their issues and provide value, improving search visibility.
- Define your key messages: Clearly outline main messages aligned with your brand. Highlight unique advantages and clearly communicate the benefits of your products or services.
- Keep it concise and scannable: Write concise, easy-to-digest content. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, subheadings, and bold text to enhance readability.
- Create clear and compelling headlines: Use attention-grabbing headlines to quickly communicate your small business’s value and encourage further exploration.
- Incorporate keywords strategically: Naturally use relevant keywords in your content to boost search engine visibility. Avoid keyword stuffing. Tools like Ahrefs or Semrush can help.
- Maintain a conversational tone: Engage your readers with friendly, conversational language. Avoid jargon unless essential to your audience.
- Edit and proofread: Always check content for grammar, spelling, punctuation, flow, and alignment with your brand voice. Tools like Grammarly can help.
- Leverage ChatGPT for assistance: Consider using AI tools like ChatGPT for content ideas or refinement.
To enhance the readability and visual appeal of your content, incorporate relevant and high-quality images. Consider the following tips:
- Opt for high-quality images: Select clear, visually appealing images—avoid blurry or pixelated visuals.
- Ensure relevance: Images should complement and enhance your content by adding context and visual interest.
- Explore stock photo resources: Find professional-quality images on sites like Unsplash, Pixabay, or Shutterstock. Always follow licensing guidelines.
- Customize images when possible: When possible, brand or customize images using tools like Adobe Photoshop or Canva for consistency.
- Optimize image file sizes: Compress images to improve page speed and SEO without losing quality. Tools like TinyPNG can help.
5.) Post Launch Essentials
Once your webpage is built and launched, there are several important tasks and services to consider to maximizing its effectiveness. Here are some fundamental suggestions to help you navigate post-launch activities:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO):Boost local visibility with keyword research, optimized content, and strong internal linking. Regularly create fresh, quality content. Consider our SEO services or third-party options like The HOTH.
- Paid Advertising: Attract targeted visitors quickly using Google Ads or Facebook Ads. Explore our PPC management services or hire professionals via Mayple.
- Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Analyze website performance with Google Analytics. Identify barriers and conduct A/B testing using tools like VWO to enhance conversions and user experience.
- Website Security: Protect your site with SSL certificates, web firewalls (like Sucuri), regular backups, and timely updates. Monitor security proactively and consider UptimeRobot for uptime tracking.
- Website Maintenance: Regularly update plugins, themes, and address errors or broken links. Ensure frequent backups. Explore our website maintenance services or find help on Upwork.
- User Feedback and Testing: Regularly seek user feedback to improve your site. Use insights from user testing to optimize the visitor experience continually.
- Content Updates: Keep content fresh and accurate. Regularly post engaging blogs and update product or service details to encourage repeat visits and shares.
Remember, post-launch digital marketing activities are crucial for the long-term success of your small business. Stay proactive, monitor performance, and adapt your strategies to achieve your business goals and meet the needs of your audience.