Website Essentials 101:
Part 1
What no one tells you—but absolutely should
There are hundreds of “how to build a website” guides out there - but most of them skip the parts that really matter. They throw around acronyms, oversimplify the process, or assume you know what to do with a template once it’s in front of you.
This isn’t one of those guides.
Website Essentials 101 was created to do things differently—whether you're planning to build your own site, or working with someone like me to get it done properly. It’s designed to be practical, thorough, and genuinely useful. No jargon without explanation. No skipping the tricky bits. No hollow checklists.
Instead, this is the kind of guide I wish more people had when they started:
✅ Clear stages that actually reflect how websites are built
✅ Questions that help you think, not just tick boxes
✅ Real guidance—not just generic advice
It’s here to help you:
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Feel more confident and in control
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Understand what’s involved at every stage
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Spot red flags in quick fixes and poor builds
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And, most importantly, create something that works for your business.
Who Is This For?
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DIYers who want a reliable reference
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Business owners who want to understand what’s happening behind the scenes
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Anyone working with a web designer or developer who wants to stay informed, involved, and clear.
This guide flows into our Website Design & Development Process Infographic, followed by Part 1: Before You Build.
Part 1
This opening section walks you through everything that needs thinking about before a single page is designed—from goals and audience, to structure, research, planning, branding, content, and data capture—so your website starts with clarity, not guesswork.
Website Development & Build: Part 2 Coming Soon - Let's Build It Right!
You’ve got the foundations sorted — now it’s nearly time to move into the build phase. Part 2 of Website Essentials will guide you through layouts, key pages, content tips, and how to bring your site to life without the overwhelm.
Want to be the first to know when it’s ready?
Subscribe for early access as soon as Part 2 goes live, and get a sneak peek at what’s coming next inside the Smarter Business Hub (set to launch in early June).
Get Your Bonus FREE Part 1 Checklist
Part 1: Before You Build
For those of you who are DIYing then this is ideal. Or you might like to double check as you go. Part 1 lays the groundwork for a successful website. It walks you through the key decisions, strategy, and planning steps you need to tackle before you even think about design – from defining your goals and audience to mapping content and functionality. Use this checklist to ensure you have covered all areas.
Use it your way
This interactive PDF works best on a desktop or laptop, where you can check as you go. But if you'd rather have a printed version in your hands, you can easily download and print it out to work through at your own pace.
Read Our Blogs
Websites Designed for Women in Business
"Is your business ready to shine online—but you don’t know where to start?"
"Want to attract more customers online but not sure where to begin?"
Then you are exactly in the right place.
Why A Great Website Is So Important
We create stress-free, fully organised websites—so you don’t have to be. No tech headaches, no jargon—just a smooth, guided process that gets you online with confidence.
Your website isn’t just a page—it’s your business’s digital home. It should:
- ✔ Be inviting and delightful—engaging your customers from the first click
- ✔ Reflect your expertise and personality—so you stand out with confidence
- ✔ Work for you—helping the right people find you and take action
Book A Discovery Call: https://www.kingstown-web-studio.co.uk/discovery-call
Who We Help
- ✔ Women launching a business—Start-ups and growing brands looking for an online home.
- ✔ Women ready to go online—You’ve got an offering, now it’s time to showcase it.
- ✔ Women fed up with DIY websites—Tired of wasting time on clunky, ineffective sites.
- ✔ Women who aren’t confident with the online space—You don’t have to be techy; we make it easy.
Let’s get started: https://www.kingstown-web-studio.co.uk/discovery-call
Why We’re Different
Building a website shouldn’t be overwhelming—it should be an exciting next step for your business. That’s where we come in.
- ✔ A stress-free, guided process—We handle the tech, so you can focus on your business.
- ✔ A website that feels like you—Professional, inviting, and built for your audience.
- ✔ Support beyond launch—We don’t just leave you with a site; we help you use it.
If you’ve been putting off your website because it feels too complicated, you’re in the right place. Let’s make it simple.
Chat Now: Opens up the Chat Box bottom right of the screen
What We Do
At Kingstown Web Studio, we build websites designed for women in business—whether you’re launching, growing, or finally ready to go online properly.
We take care of everything—so you don’t have to. Whether you need a quick website in a day or a fully tailored solution, we have options to suit your budget, time constraints, and business goals.
Our Services:
- ✔ Website Design & Development – Professional, inviting websites for services or products
- ✔ Fast-Track Websites – Need a site in a day? We make it happen
- ✔ SEO & Visibility – Get found by the right people online
- ✔ Marketing Add-ons – Email marketing, social media, and more to help you grow
- ✔ Ongoing Support – 🔗 [Find the Right Option for You →]
Who We Are (‘We’ is mostly ‘me’)
Hello and Welcome. I'm Susi Hogan, founder of Kingstown Web Studio and a professional marketer with over 30 years experience (where did it go?). As a mature woman in business myself, I know firsthand the challenges growing a business in the digital space.
I also know how overwhelming websites and tech can feel when they’re not your thing. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to help other women in business step online with confidence - without the stress, confusion, or DIY frustration. So tech and websites etc. may not be your thing but it’s exactly MY thing!
You don’t have to figure this out alone - I’m here to make it a simple and stress-free experience.
At Kingstown Web Studio, we don’t just build websites - we create strategic online spaces that help you grow your business, attract customers and feel proud of what you’ve built.
Read About My Journey: https://www.kingstown-web-studio.co.uk/post/helping-women-in-business
Why Choose Kingstown Web Studio?
Expertise
30 years+ experience in marketing - this includes developing websites and the full scope of marketing-related services.
Flexibility
Options to suit every budget. I'll work closely with you to deliver what you need - a website that is reflective of your business.
Understanding
How better to discuss building your business than with someone who has been there, experienced the same challenges and 'Gets it!'
….Read More Here: https://www.kingstown-web-studio.co.uk/about
Happy Customers
What they’re saying
"I needed a new detailed, professional website for my B2B service—one that didn’t just look good but worked effectively. The result was exactly that. The site is structured for my clients, easy to manage, and optimised for visibility."
"Beyond the website, the ongoing system and marketing support has been invaluable. From refining processes to driving traffic, it’s made a real difference in how my business operates and grows. Highly recommend!"— Becky
"My B2C website had a complete makeover and it's now looking really great, very user friendly and products easy to find. It showcases everything brilliantly. Just what I wanted. Thank you. I'm delighted."— Susan
"Our DIY B2C website was really static and clunky. Not being techy I felt needed the help to bring it to life. Susi did that. Not only do we now have a lovely looking website, we have lots of regular content that keeps engaging our existing customers and bringing new. For example we have a monthly newsletter which is really well received. Our email list has increased over 400%!"— Sandi
Want To Find Out More?
Our Services, Pricing & Packages
Pick n mix your options. Starting with your ideal website package and then bolt on services.
Pick Your Service: https://www.kingstown-web-studio.co.uk/services
Page FAQs
Question: What is the main focus of Kingstown Web Studio?
Answer: Kingstown Web Studio designs stress-free, professional websites tailored for women in business, helping them establish an online presence with confidence.
Question: Who is the target audience for Kingstown Web Studio?
Answer: Women in business who are launching, growing, or struggling with DIY websites and need a professional, stress-free solution.
Question: What makes Kingstown Web Studio different?
Answer: A guided, jargon-free process that removes tech headaches, creates websites that truly reflect the business, and provides ongoing support beyond launch.
Question: Why is a great website important for women in business?
Answer: It serves as a digital home, engaging customers, showcasing expertise, and ensuring businesses are visible to the right audience.
Question: What are the core services offered?
Answer: Website design, fast-track websites, SEO & visibility, marketing add-ons (email and social media), and ongoing support.
Question: How does Kingstown Web Studio make website development stress-free?
Answer: By handling all technical aspects, offering a guided approach, and ensuring clear, smooth communication throughout the process.
Question: What type of businesses does Kingstown Web Studio help?
Answer: Start-ups, established businesses moving online, women frustrated with DIY websites, and those who lack confidence in the digital space.
Question: What support is available beyond website launch?
Answer: Ongoing guidance to help clients use and maximise their websites effectively.
Question: How does Kingstown Web Studio ensure websites match a client’s brand?
Answer: By focusing on personalisation, ensuring the website reflects expertise, personality, and business goals.
Question: What marketing services are offered alongside website design?
Answer: SEO, email marketing, social media integration, and visibility strategies to enhance online presence.
Question: What is the process for getting a website built?
Answer: A clear, step-by-step system from consultation to launch, ensuring a stress-free experience.
Question: How does Kingstown Web Studio help with email marketing?
Answer: By offering strategic guidance on email frequency, list-building, and engagement tactics.
Glossary
Brand Reflection: Ensuring a website accurately represents a business’s identity, values, and target audience.
Call to Action (CTA): A prompt encouraging users to take a specific step, such as booking a consultation or learning more about services.
Digital Home: A business’s website, acting as its main online presence and customer touchpoint.
DIY Website: A website built using basic online tools by non-professionals, often lacking professional design and optimisation.
E-Commerce Website: A website designed for online selling, enabling businesses to showcase and sell products.
Fast-Track Websites: A streamlined website-building service designed to launch a professional site quickly.
Marketing Add-ons: Additional services such as email marketing and social media integration to enhance digital strategy.
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation): The process of optimising a website to improve visibility on search engines like Google.
Website Visibility: The ability of a website to be found easily by potential customers through search engines and online marketing.
What we do: We build stress-free, professional websites for women in business—whether you're starting out, scaling up, or ready to ditch the DIY frustration.
Who we help: Women who want a confident, visible, and inviting online presence—without the jargon, overwhelm, or tech hassle.
Why it matters: Your website is your digital home. It should reflect your brand, attract the right people, and help you grow.
Why choose Kingstown: ✔ 30+ years marketing experience ✔ Personalised service from someone who’s been there ✔ Flexible packages, fast-track options, and ongoing support
What we offer: Website design, SEO, fast-track builds, content support, email marketing & more—tailored to your business goals.
Want to chat it through? Fill in the form, book a discovery call, or click the chat bubble. We’ll help you figure out the best next step.
Website Essentials Part 1: FAQs
FAQ: Is the site live yet?
The full site is launching this April, but we’re already open for business and taking on projects now.FAQ: Can I work with you before the site launches?
Yes! You can book a Discovery Call and get started straight away—we’re already helping clients and ready to support you.FAQ: What’s the guide about?
Our free guide, “Thinking of Starting a Business Over 50?”, is a supportive, honest introduction for women exploring a business journey later in life. It includes an interactive online version and a downloadable workbook.FAQ: What’s the Smarter Business Hub?
It’s our upcoming online resource packed with blogs, guides, and step-by-step help for women building or growing a business. No jargon—just clear, practical support.FAQ: Who are your services for?
We specialise in websites for women in business—whether you're starting fresh, growing something new, or finally making it official online.FAQ: What if I don’t know what I need?
No problem. We offer a free Discovery Call to talk through your ideas, challenges, and next steps—no pressure, just helpful guidance.FAQ: Where can I find your blog?
You can browse our latest articles here: https://www.kingstown-web-studio.co.uk/blogFAQ: How do I subscribe for updates?
Easy—just head here and pop in your details: https://www.kingstown-web-studio.co.uk/subscribeWebsite Essentials Part 1: Glossary
Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO)
A future-facing approach to SEO that helps your content show up in voice search, smart assistants, and direct answer boxes—designed for how people search now.Discovery Call
A free, no-pressure chat to explore what you need and how we can help—whether that’s a fast-track website or something more bespoke.Fast-Track Website
A streamlined option for getting online quickly—ideal for launching something new or getting visible fast, without compromising on quality.Guide: Thinking of Starting a Business Over 50?
An interactive online guide with a downloadable workbook—created to support women exploring business later in life, with honesty and encouragement.Smarter Business Hub
A growing library of blogs, how-tos, and jargon-free resources to help women in business feel confident, visible, and supported online.Subscribe
A simple way to sign up for updates, resources, and new content—so you don’t miss anything when the full site goes live.Visibility
The ability for your business to be found online by the right people—through your website, search engines, and supporting content like blogs or social media.