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5 Things Every Small Business Website Needs in 2026
A quick checklist I run through with every Fife business before their new website goes live - the five things that actually win you customers.
By Jack Lamond
2 min read
Before any website I build goes live, I run through the same short checklist - whether it's a tattoo studio in Dunfermline, a private chef, or a property management company. Plenty of websites look nice. Far fewer actually turn visitors into paying customers. These five things are what make the difference.
1. A clear one-line pitch at the top
When someone lands on your site, they decide whether to stay in about three seconds. The very first thing they see should say - in plain English - what you do, who you do it for, and where. "Family-run electricians covering Fife, available 7 days a week" beats a vague slogan every time.
2. Real contact details, not just a form
A contact form is fine, but some people want to phone, email or message you right now. Make your email and (if you have one) phone number easy to find on every page. The harder you make it to get in touch, the more enquiries you quietly lose.
3. Proof that other people trust you
Reviews and testimonials do the selling for you. A few genuine quotes from happy customers - ideally near the top of the page, not buried at the bottom - reassure a stranger that you'll do a good job. If you have Google reviews, show them off.
4. A website that works on a phone
Most people will visit your site on their phone, often while they're out and about. If it's slow, fiddly or hard to tap, they'll back out and try the next business on the list. Mobile isn't an afterthought - it's where most of your customers actually are.
5. Something you can update yourself
Your prices change. You add a service. You go on holiday. You shouldn't have to email me every time you want to tweak a line of text. A good site gives you simple ways to keep it current without touching code.
Everything else - fancy animations, clever design touches - is a nice-to-have. These five aren't. Get them right and your website starts pulling its weight.
If you're not sure your current site ticks all five boxes, send me a message and I'll take a quick look for you, free of charge.
Let's work together
I work with business owners who want someone that gets how their business actually works - no tech-speak, no jargon. Plain English, on time, and focused on getting you more customers.