If you run a small business on the Border, sooner or later you will need a proper website. Maybe your Facebook page is doing the heavy lifting right now. Maybe you have an old site that nobody has touched in years. This guide covers everything I think you should know about small business website design in Albury before you spend a cent. I have been building websites since 1995 and these are the questions I get asked the most.
Why does a small business in Albury need its own website?
Most people in Albury Wodonga look for a local business the same way. They pick up their phone, type what they need into Google and tap one of the first few results. If you are not there, they ring someone else.
A Facebook page helps but it has limits. You do not own it, it does not show up well in Google searches and it is hard for a stranger to quickly see what you do, where you work and how to reach you. A website fixes all of that. It is your own space that you control and it works for you every hour of the day.
I build a lot of sites for people who have been running their business off social media for years. If that sounds like you, my page on moving from Facebook to a website explains how that move works.
What should a small business website include?
A good small business site does not need to be huge. It needs to answer the questions your customers already have, quickly and clearly. Here is the checklist I work through on every build.
- A clear headline that says what you do and where you do it
- A page or section for each main service you offer
- Your phone number and email easy to find on every page
- A simple contact form that lands in your inbox
- The areas you service, written in plain words
- A Google Map and your business details
- Real photos of your work, your team or your vehicles where possible
- An about section so people know who they are dealing with
- Fast loading pages that look right on a phone
The service pages matter more than most people expect. A plumber who lists hot water, blocked drains and gas fitting on separate pages gives Google three good reasons to show that site. One page that says “all plumbing” gives it very little to work with.
Do I need a blog?
Not at the start. A blog is useful once the core pages are solid and you have time to write, but it is an extra rather than a must.
How much does a website cost in Albury?
Prices vary a lot between designers so I think it is fair to be upfront. These are my prices for small business website design in Albury and Wodonga. They all include GST.
- Single Page Website at $880, good for a new business or a simple service with one clear message
- Complete Website at $2200, a full multi page site with separate service pages, about page and contact page
- Advanced Website from $3300, for online shops, bookings or member areas
Every site comes with a free first year of WordPress maintenance, mobile friendly design, Google Analytics, a contact form and Google Map. They are SEO ready from day one and you get full access to edit everything yourself in WordPress and Elementor.
Domain names and hosting are extra. Plenty of people already own their domain and I am happy to work with what you have. If you need somewhere to host the site I can sort that out too through my website hosting service.
If budget is tight, my page on affordable web design explains where you can save money without ending up with something that lets you down.
How long does a website take to build?
For most small businesses the build itself is quicker than people think. A single page site can often be ready in a week or two. A complete multi page site usually takes a few weeks from go to launch.
The biggest factor is almost always content. If your text and photos are ready, things move fast. If I am still waiting on service descriptions or images, the project waits too. That is why I always suggest getting your content sorted early, which I cover further down.
Advanced sites with online shops or booking systems take longer because there is more to set up and test. I will give you a realistic timeframe before any work starts so there are no surprises.
DIY website builders versus a web designer
Drag and drop builders can be a reasonable option if you have time, a good eye for layout and a very simple business.
The catch is that a website is more than how it looks. These are the things that often get missed on DIY sites.
- Page titles and descriptions written for Google
- Proper headings and structure so search engines understand each page
- Images that are sized properly so the site loads fast
- Service area wording that matches how people actually search
- Regular updates and backups so the site stays secure
Monthly fees on some builders also add up. Moving away later can be hard because you do not really own the site. I build in WordPress because you own it outright and you can take it anywhere.
If you want to understand what I do on each build, my web design page has the full rundown.
Why do mobile design and speed matter so much?
Most people searching for a local business are doing it on their phone, often while they are out and about. If your site is hard to read on a small screen or takes ages to load, they will hit the back button and try the next result.
Every site I build is designed to work on phones first. That means big tap friendly buttons, a phone number you can call with one tap, short paragraphs and images that load quickly.
Speed also affects where you show up on Google. I keep sites lean, compress images and avoid loading things that are not needed.
Once a site is live it needs looking after. Plugins and WordPress itself need regular updates or things start to break. My WordPress maintenance plans keep everything up to date, backed up and secure. The first year is included free with every new site.
How do I get my business on Google Maps?
Your Google Business Profile is the listing that shows up on Google Maps and in the map box at the top of local searches. For a lot of small businesses it brings in more calls than the website itself.
The two work best together. Your website gives Google the detail about what you do and your Business Profile tells it where you are and which areas you serve. When both say the same thing, Google trusts the information more.
Here is a quick checklist for your profile.
- Claim and verify your listing if you have not already
- Choose the main category that best matches your business
- Add your services, opening hours and service areas
- Link it to your website
- Upload real photos and keep adding new ones
- Make sure your business name, phone and address match your website exactly
If you work from home, you can hide your street address and set a service area instead. My local SEO page goes into more detail about getting found on Maps.
How do I rank in both Albury and Wodonga?
This is one of the most common questions I get from businesses on the Border. Albury and Wodonga sit on opposite sides of the Murray River, in two different states, but plenty of businesses serve both. Google treats them as separate places, so a site that only mentions Albury may struggle to show up for Wodonga searches.
A few things help.
- Mention both cities naturally in your page content where it makes sense
- Create a dedicated page for Wodonga if a lot of your work is on the Victorian side
- Add both areas to your Google Business Profile service areas
- List the suburbs and nearby towns you actually work in, such as Lavington, Thurgoona, Baranduda or Jindera
The key word is actually. Do not list places you never go. Google is good at spotting padding and customers notice too. If you want to see how I approach the Victorian side, have a look at my page on web design in Wodonga.
For businesses that want their site and their search rankings handled together from the start, I offer web design and SEO as a package so the site is built to rank from day one.
What should I prepare before a website build?
A little preparation saves a lot of time. Before the build starts, it helps to have these things ready or at least thought about.
- Your logo, ideally in a good quality file
- A list of every service you offer
- The suburbs and towns you work in
- Photos of your work, your team or your premises
- Any wording you already like from your Facebook page or flyers
- Two or three websites you like the look of, even from other industries
- Login details for your domain if you already own one
Do not worry if you are missing some of this. I can help write your content and suggest where photos would make the biggest difference.
If you are still weighing up who to work with, my guide on how to choose a web designer in Albury walks through the questions worth asking any designer before you sign up.
Common questions about small business website design in Albury
How much does a small business website cost in Albury?
A small business website in Albury with Website Design Albury costs $880 for a single page site, $2200 for a complete multi page site or from $3300 for an advanced site with a shop or bookings. All prices include GST and a free first year of WordPress maintenance. Domain names and hosting are extra and I can help with both if needed.
Who builds websites for small businesses in Albury Wodonga?
Website Design Albury is run by Nick Fritzkowski, who builds WordPress websites for small businesses right across Albury Wodonga, the Riverina and North East Victoria. I have been building websites since 1995 and do every part of the work myself without outsourcing overseas. I work with clients by phone, email and video call, so getting started is easy.
How long does it take to build a website for a Wodonga business?
A website for a Wodonga small business usually takes between one and a few weeks to build, depending on its size and how quickly the content comes together. A single page site is often ready in a week or two. A complete multi page site takes a little longer. Shops or booking systems need extra time for setup and testing.
Can one website rank in both Albury and Wodonga?
One website can rank in both Albury and Wodonga searches if it clearly mentions both cities and the areas it serves on each side of the border. Adding a dedicated Wodonga page and listing both cities as service areas in your Google Business Profile helps a lot. Keep the wording honest and only mention places you genuinely work in.
Do I need to know how to code to update my own website in Albury?
You do not need any coding skills to update a website built by Website Design Albury, because every site is built in WordPress and Elementor with full editing access. Changing text, swapping photos or adding a new page is done with a visual editor. If you would rather not touch it, I can make updates for you instead.
Ready to talk about your site? Head to my contact page and tell me a little about your business. You can also see what a brand new build involves on my new websites page.
