The Ultimate Guide to Web Design for Small Businesses in York
If you run a small business in York, you’ll know two things for certain. First, this city has more independent businesses than it has cobbles, and second, everyone seems to have an opinion about websites. One minute someone’s telling you to use Wix because it’s “dead easy”, the next someone else is insisting Webflow is the only respectable choice, and somewhere in the distance you can hear a developer shouting about WordPress like it’s a religious calling.
Meanwhile, you’re just trying to run your business, drink your tea while it’s still hot and figure out why your email keeps asking for a password you definitely did not forget.
So let’s make your life easier. This is a practical, no-nonsense guide to getting a website that actually works for your business in York. Whether you’re in Clifton, Fulford, Acomb or running a stall at Shambles Market, this is everything you need to know — written in English rather than tech-speak, with a few dry comments thrown in because that’s how we survive adulthood.
Why your small business website matters more than you think
York is a city that loves small businesses. People genuinely want to buy local, support independents and choose real humans over faceless corporations. But (and this is where many small business owners sigh loudly) they won’t magically find you unless your website does a bit of the heavy lifting.
Your website is often the first impression someone has of you. Before they message, before they visit, before they buy, they’re quietly sizing you up online. If your website looks tidy, loads quickly and actually tells people what you do, things go well. If your site looks like it hasn’t updated since the Roman walls were built, well… it doesn’t send the right message.
Good web design isn’t about looking fancy. It’s about clarity, trust and making life simple — for you and for your customers. That’s why we build modern, sustainable and easy-to-manage sites through our FastTrack Website and Full Custom Website services. They’re designed for small business life, not agency ego.
What makes a website “good” for small businesses in York
You don’t need a site that wins awards or stuns the design world into silence. You need a website that does its job without driving you up the wall. For small businesses, especially around York where competition is friendly but fierce, a “good” website usually means three things.
First, it needs to be clear. Customers should be able to land on your homepage and instantly understand what you offer, who it’s for and why they should care. If they have to go hunting for the information, they won’t. York residents may be polite, but even politeness has limits.
Second, it needs to be easy for you to update. You shouldn’t have to fight with your website every time you want to change a price, add a service or upload a new photo. That’s why we use Webflow and Wix so much at Jorvik Web Dev — both platforms keep things simple for you even after we’ve handed everything over. And because we include full training with every project, you’re not left staring at the screen wondering what button you just pressed.
Third, it needs basic SEO done properly. I say “basic”, but you’d be surprised how many websites don’t have it. This is the stuff that helps Google understand your content so local customers can find you. Think clear headings, sensible page structure, alt text on images and all the on-page SEO setup we automatically include in our web design packages. Forget the myth that “SEO costs extra” — that’s nonsense. The fundamentals should always be there from the start, which is why we build them in by default.
Planning your website content without losing your mind
Most small business owners think the hardest part of a new website is the design. It’s not. It’s the content. You know your business inside out, but somehow when it comes to writing it down, your brain either freezes or rambles like you’ve just had three coffees.
The trick is to focus on what your customers actually want to know. They’re trying to solve a problem, not admire your vocabulary. So keep things simple. Think about what questions people ask you in real life, what they worry about, what they need reassurance on. If you run a dog grooming business in York, they want to know things like prices, location, availability and whether you’re good with nervous dogs. If you run a bakery, they want opening times, menu, allergies and how to order.
Your content should sound like you, not like a corporate brochure. The more human you are, the easier it is for customers to trust you — especially in a place like York where community really matters. This is also where tone-of-voice guidance from our Branding Kit service is extremely useful. It helps you stay consistent without having to reinvent your writing style every time you update a page.
Choosing the right platform: Webflow or Wix?
Let’s talk about the platforms, because I’m forever being asked, “Which is better, Webflow or Wix?” and the honest answer is: it depends on your personality, patience level and how much control you want.
Webflow is brilliant for small businesses that want a clean, fast, modern site with a lot of flexibility but without technical headaches. You can edit text, swap images, publish blog posts and manage content without accidentally breaking the entire layout. It’s the platform we recommend the most because it gives you the benefits of custom design while still being extremely user friendly. It also produces tidy, fast-loading code, which Google absolutely loves — great news for your SEO.
Wix, on the other hand, is perfect for people who want the simplest possible editing experience. If you’re the type who wants to drag and drop things around without thinking too hard about structure, Wix will be your best friend. It’s intuitive, forgiving and very calming for anyone who gets overwhelmed by too many options. Plenty of York small businesses use Wix successfully because it gets the job done without fuss.
Both platforms have their place. That’s why we work with both, depending on what suits the client. Our values are empathy and accessibility, so the platform should fit you, not the other way around.
SEO for small businesses in York: what actually matters
SEO is one of those terms that scares people unnecessarily. You don’t need to become an expert or learn what an algorithm had for breakfast. You just need the basics done properly so your customers can find you.
For local businesses, that means making sure your website clearly mentions what you do and where you are. York-based searches are extremely valuable — people look for things like “baker in York”, “York dog groomer”, “plumber near Clifton”, “York web designer”, you get the idea. Your site needs to reflect that, which is why in our SEO Starter package we fix all the foundational things small businesses often miss.
Google Business Profile setup also plays a massive role. You can’t show up on Google Maps without it, and you won’t rank locally if it’s neglected. So whether we’re doing Google Setup and Optimisation for you or guiding you through it, it’s always part of the picture.
If you want to get more advanced later on, our SEO Booster service can help strengthen key landing pages or blog posts, but you don’t have to dive in straight away. Sustainable SEO is built slowly, not dramatically.
Common mistakes York businesses make with their websites
Let’s be honest. Most small business websites don’t fail because the owner did something terrible. They fail because the owner didn’t have time, was overwhelmed, or followed advice from a well-meaning relative who once made a Facebook page in 2009.
One of the biggest mistakes is not having enough information. People click onto your site, take one look and leave because they can’t immediately find what they need. Another mistake is relying too heavily on social media. Those platforms change their algorithms more often than York changes its weather, so building your entire business presence on Instagram alone is risky.
And then there’s the classic: never updating the site. Businesses evolve. Your website should too. This is exactly why we offer maintenance plans — not because we want to lock you in, but because we know life gets busy and your website shouldn’t fall apart quietly in the background.
Why working with a local York web designer actually helps
Yes, the internet is global. Yes, you could hire someone abroad to make your site. And yes, it might be cheap. But small businesses in York often thrive with local support because someone who understands the area also understands your customers. We know the difference between tourists and locals. We know the quirks of York’s small business scene. And we know what people here expect when they land on your site.
At Jorvik Web Dev, our values include empathy, honesty and helping you feel empowered rather than overwhelmed. That’s why we include full training with every web design package and why we work closely with organisations like York Growth Hub — because small businesses deserve clarity, not confusion.
Final thoughts: your website should work for you, not against you
A good website doesn’t just make your business look professional. It makes your life easier. It supports your growth. It saves you time. And if it’s built properly — with solid SEO, clean design and a platform that fits your personality — it becomes one of the most valuable tools you own.
Whether you’re starting from scratch, rebuilding something that stresses you out, or trying to make sense of the digital chaos, you’re not alone. And if you want a website that feels like a breath of fresh York air rather than a panic attack in digital form, you know where to find me.
