Website Basics for Self-Employed: What You Actually Need (And What You Do Not Need)
When starting your business, it is easy to get overwhelmed by website options. Learn what really matters for your first professional website.
Website Basics: What You Actually Need (And What You Don't)
When you're starting your business, everyone seems to have an opinion about your website. "You need video backgrounds!" "You must have a blog!" "Don't forget the newsletter popup!"
I understand the confusion. With so many options and conflicting advice, it's hard to know where to start.
Let me share what I've learned working with self-employed professionals and small businesses in Salzburg: Your first website doesn't need to be everything. It needs to be the right things.
Why Your Website Matters
Before we talk about features, let's talk about purpose. Your website serves three main goals:
1. You Can Be Found
When someone in Salzburg searches for your service, you want to appear. A professional website makes that possible.
2. You Build Trust
First impressions matter. A well-designed website shows you take your business seriously.
3. You Save Time
A good website answers common questions automatically, freeing you to focus on actual client work.
The Essential Elements Every Business Website Needs
Contact Information
This might seem obvious, but I've seen many websites where it's surprisingly hard to find how to reach the business owner.
What you need:
Make this information easy to find. Many visitors go straight to "Contact" – don't make them hunt for it.
Clear Description of Your Services
People need to understand quickly:
You don't need fancy marketing language. Simple, clear explanations work best.
Good example:
"I help small businesses in Salzburg set up their IT infrastructure. From email to cloud storage, I make technology work for you."
Less effective:
"Leveraging cutting-edge solutions to optimize your digital transformation journey."
About Section
People do business with people. Your "About" section helps potential clients understand who you are.
What works well:
You don't need your whole life story. A few paragraphs are enough.
Examples of Your Work
This could be:
Choose what makes sense for your business. Not every service can show visual results, and that's fine.
Legal Requirements for Austria
In Austria and the EU, your website must include:
Impressum (Legal Notice):
Privacy Policy:
This isn't optional – it's required by law. I can help you set this up correctly if you're unsure.
What You DON'T Need (At Least Not Yet)
Complex Animations
Yes, they look cool. But they also:
Start simple. You can always add effects later if they make sense for your business.
Every Social Media Integration
You don't need to be on every platform. Choose one or two that your clients actually use, and do those well.
A Blog (Unless You'll Use It)
A blog can be valuable, but only if you'll actually write posts. An abandoned blog with the last post from 2023 looks worse than no blog at all.
If you're not ready to commit to regular writing, wait. You can add a blog later.
Complicated Navigation
If visitors need a map to find information on your site, something's wrong. Keep it simple:
You can expand later as your business grows.
Auto-Playing Music or Videos
Please, no. Most visitors will leave immediately. Let people choose what they want to interact with.
Mobile-Friendly Is Non-Negotiable
More than half of web traffic comes from phones and tablets. Your website must work well on small screens.
What this means:
Any modern website should handle this automatically, but always test it yourself on your phone.
Speed Matters More Than You Think
If your website takes more than 3 seconds to load, many visitors will leave before they even see it.
Common speed problems:
This is why starting simple often works better. A fast, simple site beats a slow, fancy one every time.
Your First Website: A Practical Checklist
Before launch, make sure you have:
Common Questions I Hear
"Should I build it myself or hire someone?"
This depends on your comfort with technology, your available time, and how you value your time.
Many business owners start building themselves and then realize it's taking much longer than expected, or they get stuck on technical issues. By the time they ask for help, they've spent weeks on something that could have been done properly in days.
The question isn't just about budget - it's about whether your time is better spent building your business or learning web development.
"How do I know if my website is good enough?"
Ask yourself:
If you answered yes to these, you're in good shape.
"What about SEO?"
SEO (getting found on Google) is important, but don't let it paralyze you. A simple, clear website is already a good start.
The basics:
We can work on more advanced SEO later, after your basic website is working.
"When should I update or redesign?"
Plan to review your website every 1-2 years. Technology and design trends change, and your business evolves.
Signs it's time for an update:
How I Can Help
As an IT partner for self-employed professionals in Salzburg, I understand that you want a website that works – not a technology headache.
My approach:
Many of my clients appreciate having someone who listens first and understands the local market.
Getting Started
If you're thinking about creating a professional website or have questions about what you need:
Email me: info@amadeuswebdesign.com Call me: +43 650 7964955
We'll discuss what makes sense for your specific situation. No pressure, no technical jargon – just a straightforward conversation about what will work for your business.
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*Written for self-employed professionals and small businesses in Salzburg, Salzburger Land, and Austria | December 2025*
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