You’ve spent weeks (or months!) planning your new website. You’ve picked colours, agonised over fonts, and collected just the right mix of photos. And now… your finger is hovering over that big shiny “Publish” button.
Before you launch your website into the wild West (or Bristol as we know and love it), let’s make sure it’s set up to work hard for your business. Attracting the right customers, showing off what makes you brilliant, and ranking on Google.
At it’seeze Web Design Bristol, we’ve helped hundreds of local businesses go from “we just need a website” to “wow, this is growing our business.” Here’s what every Bristol business should check before their site goes live.
1. Know Who You’re Talking To (Hint: It’s Not Everyone)
Your website shouldn’t try to please everyone - you cannot please all of the people all of the time – so work on some of the people all of the time and aim it at just your perfect customers. Think about the people who walk through your door (or DM you, or buy your products etc depending on how you trade). What are they looking for? What questions do they ask? What would make them choose you?
If you’re a local café, your audience might be Bristol 20 somethings looking for a weekend brunch spot or families looking for somewhere they can bring the children. If you’re a tradesperson, your visitors might be homeowners searching for someone trustworthy nearby.
Quick tip: use local language naturally in your copy. Mention Bristol neighbourhoods like Clifton, Bedminster, or Filton. Google loves local relevance, and your customers will feel an instant connection.
For see how some other local businesses have built sites that reflect their audience, visit our local portfolio page.
2. Make Mobile Users Your Priority
Here’s a scary statistic: over 65% of website visitors now browse on mobile and for local searches, that number’s even higher. If your site doesn’t load quickly or display properly on a phone, you’re probably losing potential customers before they’ve even read your headline.
Your website should automatically adapt to different screen sizes, this is called responsive design. At it’seeze Bristol, every site we build is mobile-friendly by default, so it looks just as good on a smartphone as it does on a big desktop monitor.
Want to test this yourself? Open your website on your phone and try to:
Click your phone number (does it dial automatically?)
Fill in a contact form (is it easy to type on?)
Read your text (is it too small or squashed?)
If any of that feels awkward, then it’s time for a tweak.
3. SEO – Speak Google’s Language Without Sounding Like a Robot!
Search engine optimisation (SEO) doesn’t have to be scary. Think of it as helping Google understand what your site is about so it can send the right people your way.
Here are a few local SEO basics to get you started:
Use your key phrases naturally. If you’re based in Bristol, phrases like “web design Bristol”, “Bristol plumber”, or “architect in Bristol” should appear in your text, headings, and page titles.
Add your address and a Google Map (if your clients need to visit you) to your contact page.
Keep your Google Business Profile updated, it’s one of the biggest ranking signals for local searches.
Quick tip: Write for people first, Google second. The goal is clear, readable text for your visitors and not a game of keyword bingo!
4. Your Branding and Imagery Should Feel Real — Because You Are
Stock photos can look fine and they certainly have their place… however you don’t want your website visitors to see the same smiling office team on three other Bristol websites.
Authenticity resonates with your visitors. Show them your real team, your office/café etc or your products. Even a simple photo of your shopfront or van in a familiar Bristol location can instantly boost credibility.
Colour and typography matter too. Stick to two or three brand colours and one or two fonts to keep things consistent and polished.
At it’seeze Bristol, we design with your brand personality in mind so your website doesn’t just look good, it reflects you as a business.
5. Include Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
Your website visitors shouldn’t have to guess what to do next. Do you want them to call you? Book a quote? Buy something? Sign up to a newsletter?
Each page should make that next step obvious. Use buttons, banners, or forms that say exactly what to do e.g. “Book a free consultation,” “Get a quote today,” or “View our services.”
Quick tip: Make sure your phone number and contact form are visible on every page, such as on the banner and in the footer. It’s surprising how many sites hide them like a secret treasure map.
You can see great examples of clear CTAs on our portfolio pages.
6. Build Trust From the First Click
People buy from people they trust, especially in Bristol, where local reputation is everything.
Here are a few quick trust-builders to add before you launch:
Testimonials or reviews from happy customers
Logos of partners or certifications (like Checkatrade, Trustpilot, or industry associations)
Clear contact details: a real address, local phone number, and links to your social media
If you’re a brand-new business, start collecting reviews early (your Google Business Profile is a good place to start). Even a handful of genuine quotes can make a huge difference.
7. Test, Tweak, Repeat
A website is never “done.” It’s a living, breathing part of your business. After launch, check your website analytics every month. What pages get the most views? Where do people drop off?
Tools like Google Analytics and Hotjar can help you spot what’s working and what’s not. Then you can tweak headlines, update photos, or simplify navigation to keep improving your results.
At it’seeze Bristol, we don’t just hand over a finished site and wave goodbye, we provide ongoing help and support, making sure that your website can continue to evolve as your business grows.
8. Bonus: Think Beyond the Launch
Once your website is live, keep it fresh:
Add blog posts (like this one!) that answer customer questions
Share updates, photos, or seasonal offers
Keep your content current. Google rewards active websites
Ready to Go Live?
Publishing your new website is an exciting time, it’s like unlocking a digital front door to your business. But taking a little extra time to get these foundations right can mean the difference between “just a website” and “a website that actually brings in customers.”
If you’re planning to launch a new site or redesign an old one, our Bristol team can help you every step of the way from design and SEO to hosting and support.
Book a free website consultation today and let’s build something brilliant for your Bristol business.
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