Basics of building a high quality website

Building High-Performance Websites for Small Businesses: My Process

As a solo Fullstack developer, I work with small businesses to build custom websites designed to rank, convert, and keep visitors engaged. My approach goes beyond templates and pre-built themes. Here’s a closer look at how I craft a fully optimized website from the ground up.

1. Understanding the Business and Audience

Before writing a single line of code, I dig into what makes your business unique, who your audience is, and what goals you want your website to achieve. This helps shape a user-focused design that not only looks good but also meets your business needs—whether that’s more contact form submissions, sales, or phone calls.

2. Designing for Performance and Mobile-First

Many small business owners don’t realize how much page speed affects user experience and search rankings. I build with a “mobile-first” mindset, ensuring that the website works seamlessly on smartphones and tablets. Starting with a clean, responsive design helps ensure the site loads quickly, reduces unnecessary elements, and keeps things visually appealing without slowing down performance.

3. Code Efficiency and SEO Best Practices

I write custom, efficient code to keep the site as fast and lightweight as possible. For SEO, I make sure every page has well-optimized titles, meta descriptions, and structured data to help search engines understand the content. I also set up Google Business Profile (GBP) and integrate local SEO elements to improve your visibility in local search results.

4. Integrating Analytics for Insight

To help you understand how your website is performing, I set up site tracking analytics tools like Plausible.io and Google Search Console. This lets us track visitor behavior, understand traffic sources, and identify areas for improvement over time. These insights allow for data-driven adjustments and continuous optimization.

5. Testing for Speed and Usability

Once the website is built, I test it extensively for speed, accessibility, and usability across different devices and browsers. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse provide a clear picture of how the site performs in real-world scenarios. This step ensures your visitors have a smooth, frustration-free experience.

6. Ongoing Support for Lasting Results

I don’t see a website launch as the end of the road. From helping with content updates to suggesting improvements based on analytics, I’m available to make sure your site keeps up with changing needs and technology.

Each site I build is tailored to support small businesses, helping them stand out in a crowded digital space. Custom development means each detail—from performance to conversion—is built around what works best for your business.