Business Website Checklist: Rank on Google and Convert
A practical checklist for small business websites (WordPress or custom): speed, mobile design, pages, calls to action, SEO basics, tracking and security.
By Mir Ullash2 min readWebsites
A business website has two jobs: to be found on Google and to turn visitors into enquiries or sales. Many sites look good but fail at both. Use this checklist before you launch — or to audit the site you already have.
Speed and mobile first
- Most visitors arrive on a phone — design and test on mobile first.
- Compress images and use modern formats like WebP or AVIF.
- Choose good hosting and avoid heavy themes and stacks of plugins you don’t need.
- Check PageSpeed Insights and aim for good Core Web Vitals on mobile.
The pages every business site needs
- Home — who you help, what you offer and the main call to action, all visible without scrolling.
- One page per service or product category — each one can rank for its own searches.
- About — real people, experience and proof build trust.
- Contact — form, phone, WhatsApp, address and map.
- Proof — reviews, case studies or a portfolio.
Make it easy to take action
Every page should end with a clear next step: “Get a Quote”, “Call now” or “Message on WhatsApp”. Keep forms short (name, email or phone, and one question), show reviews near the forms, and say how quickly you reply.
SEO basics built in
- A unique title tag and meta description for every page.
- One clear H1 per page and logical subheadings.
- Descriptive image alt text and internal links between related pages.
- An XML sitemap submitted in Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
- Structured data (LocalBusiness, FAQ, Breadcrumb) so search engines and AI assistants understand your business.
The full list is in my on-page SEO checklist.
Tracking, security and upkeep
- Install GA4 and track form, call and WhatsApp clicks as key events — see my GA4 setup guide.
- Use HTTPS, strong passwords and regular backups.
- On WordPress, keep the core, theme and plugins updated — outdated plugins are the most common way sites get hacked.
- Protect forms from spam without annoying real visitors.
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress good for a business website?
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Yes. WordPress powers a large share of the web and is flexible, SEO-friendly and easy to update. It needs regular updates and good hosting to stay fast and secure.
How many pages should a small business website have?
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Enough to cover each main service or product category separately, plus home, about and contact. Quality and clarity matter more than page count.
How fast should a website load?
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Aim to show the main content within about 2.5 seconds on mobile, which is Google’s threshold for a good Largest Contentful Paint.
