Small Business Website Examples: What Good Looks Like
Real examples of effective small business websites. See what works structurally, why certain designs convert better, and what to steal for your own site.
Most advice about small business websites is vague. “Make it look professional.” “Focus on the user experience.” “Use high-quality images.” Sure. But what does that actually look like?
Let’s look at specific examples of what works and why. These are real template designs we’ve built, and each one demonstrates a different approach to solving the same problem: getting visitors to become customers.
Example 1: The restaurant that leads with the menu
The restaurant template puts the most important information first. The homepage hero doesn’t waste space on generic stock photos. It shows the food and puts a “View Menu” button front and center.
Why it works:
- 80% of restaurant website visitors are looking for the menu. This design respects that.
- Hours and location are visible without scrolling on mobile.
- The menu page uses clear categories with prices. No PDFs, no downloads. Just text on a page that loads instantly.
What to steal: Lead with the thing your customers are actually looking for. Don’t make them hunt for it.
Example 2: The contractor that builds trust first
The plumbing template opens with licensing information, years in business, and service area. Before you even see what they offer, you know they’re legit.
Why it works:
- Home service customers are wary. They’re letting a stranger into their house. Trust signals come before sales pitches.
- The services page is organized by category (emergency, residential, commercial) so visitors self-select.
- The contact section leads with a phone number, not a form. When your pipes burst, you want to call someone.
What to steal: If your business requires trust (you enter people’s homes, handle their money, or affect their health), lead with credibility.
Example 3: The salon that sells the experience
The hair salon template uses warm colors, elegant typography, and plenty of white space. It feels like walking into an upscale salon before you’ve read a single word.
Why it works:
- Beauty businesses sell a feeling. The website needs to make visitors feel something positive about your brand.
- Services include descriptions and price ranges so there are no surprises.
- Team profiles with photos make the experience feel personal. You’re not just booking an appointment. You’re choosing a person.
What to steal: Design your site to match the feeling of being in your physical space. If your business is warm and inviting, your website should feel the same way.
Example 4: The professional firm that respects your time
The law firm template is clean, structured, and gets to the point. No flashy animations. No trendy design tricks. Just clear information organized logically.
Why it works:
- Professional service clients are usually stressed and short on time. They need to quickly determine if this firm handles their type of issue.
- Practice areas are broken into clear sections with brief explanations.
- The about page establishes credentials without being boastful.
What to steal: Match your design energy to your audience’s mindset. If people visit your site during a stressful moment, keep things calm and organized.
Example 5: The fitness studio that motivates action
The fitness studio template is bold, energetic, and action-oriented. Strong colors, dynamic layout, and CTAs that push you to sign up.
Why it works:
- Fitness businesses sell motivation. The site design should make you want to get moving.
- Class schedules and pricing are easy to find. No hidden costs.
- Testimonials from real members build social proof.
What to steal: Your website’s energy should match your brand’s energy. A CrossFit gym should feel different from a yoga studio.
Example 6: The coffee shop that feels like a neighborhood spot
The coffee shop template uses warm tones, rounded corners, and a relaxed pace. It feels approachable and comfortable.
Why it works:
- The menu is visual with descriptions that make you crave a drink.
- Location and hours are impossible to miss.
- The overall vibe says “come hang out” rather than “buy something.”
What to steal: Small food and drink businesses succeed by feeling local and personal. Your website should feel like a friend recommending a place, not a corporation advertising.
The patterns that matter
Across all these examples, a few patterns show up repeatedly:
- The most important info is above the fold. Menu for restaurants, trust signals for contractors, services for professionals.
- Mobile works perfectly. More than half your visitors are on their phones. Every example adapts seamlessly.
- CTAs are specific. Not “Learn More” but “View Menu” or “Get a Free Quote” or “Book an Appointment.”
- Pages load fast. No heavy frameworks. Pure HTML and CSS. Pages load in under a second.
- Four pages is enough. Home, About, Services, Contact. That covers everything a local business needs.
Get started with any of these
Every example above is a free template you can download and customize. Pick the one closest to your industry, replace the content with your own, and host it for free.
If you want a deeper look at the different ways to get a website, check out our small business website guide.