How to Make a Website Without a Website Builder: 9 Steps for Home Service Businesses
As a home service business owner, having a professional website is essential to showcasing your services and attracting customers. While platforms like Wix and GoDaddy make things easy, you might prefer more control and customization for making a website that truly reflects your business.
This guide breaks down the steps to building a website without relying on a website builder. Learn how to create a site that stands out and attracts local customers.
Steps to making your own website without a builder:
Why build a website without a website builder?
A well-designed, functional website showcases your expertise, builds trust, and makes it easy for people to contact you. While site builders may seem easy to use, they often limit your ability to customize features. You’re stuck with templates that might not be a great match for your needs.
A cleaning business, for example, might need an integrated booking system for clients to choose time slots. But site builders don’t always offer that flexibility.
Or let’s say a general contractor expands their services and wants to add a robust gallery to show off completed projects. Site builders often struggle to accommodate growing demands like this.
Making a website without a site builder gives you total control. Whether you use a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, code from scratch, or hire a developer, a custom solution puts you in the driver’s seat. You can design your site however you choose.
You need to have a website.
As your business grows, you’re going to be modifying that website here and there to reflect your new growth.
A custom website is easier to scale as your business grows. If you decide to integrate with software like Jobber for managing appointments and invoices, a custom-built site makes this a smooth process.
While avoiding a site builder may require more upfront effort, the payoff is a stronger online presence and a website that truly represents your business.
Here’s what your site could look like:
Step 1: Define your website’s goals
Figuring out what you want to accomplish with your website will help you make the right choices for the web design, content, and other technical details.
Are you trying to attract new clients? Share information about your services? Get online bookings?
Set goals before jumping into making your own website. You’ll be prepared to build an experience around those goals that turns visitors into customers.
For a rundown from expert business owners on what makes a successful site, see this episode of Masters of Home Service:
Step 2: Choose a website-building method
When you’re ready to make a website for your home service business, there are a few options—each with its pros and cons. Consider your goals, budget, and technical skills before choosing.
Code from scratch
Coding from scratch means building your website using programming languages like HTML (for structure), CSS (for design), and JavaScript (for interactivity).
This gives you full control over how your site looks and functions, but the method isn’t recommended unless you have web development skills and experience.
Pros and cons of coding from scratch
| Pros | Cons |
| Complete customization for your needs | Time-consuming and requires learning technical skills |
| No recurring subscription fees | Mistakes can lead to broken pages or functionality issues |
| Ideal for features like scheduling systems and custom portfolios |
Use a content management system (CMS)
A CMS like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal offers a middle ground between coding and pre-made website builders. WordPress is especially popular for making your own website because it’s user-friendly and easy to customize.
Pros and cons of using a CMS
| Pros | Cons |
| Easier to use than coding, with tutorials available | Some technical know-how is needed for setup and maintenance |
| Access to many plugins for features like contact forms | Potential security risks if the CMS isn’t updated regularly |
| Customizable themes that suit small businesses |
Hire a web developer
If you’d rather focus on running your business—which many owners prefer to do—hiring a web developer can take the guesswork out of creating your site.
Pros and cons of hiring a web developer
| Pros | Cons |
| Professional results tailored to your needs | Higher upfront costs compared to DIY options |
| Saves time | Communication challenges if the developer doesn’t fully understand your business |
| Ensures your desired functionality, such as a booking system or project gallery |
Pro Tip: Ask developers for a portfolio of past work to see if their style matches your vision. Then, check in on a regular basis throughout the build process to make sure the site reflects your needs the right way.
If you want to supercharge your website and have people actually find your website from searching online, then I recommend hiring someone to build a website for you.
They’re going to know what to do and how to optimize it properly.
Use Jobber
Looking to get your website up and running fast? Use Jobber to create a simple, professional website, that can be set up in minutes.
All you have to do is provide Jobber with details about your business and the services you provide. Then, Jobber will create a site that highlights what sets you apart from your competitors.
To help you convert visitors into leads, your website automatically comes with a quote request form. And when you connect your Google Business Profile to your site, people will see why you’re the right choice to work with.
You can even track and measure how many visitors your site gets and how many requests come from it.
Step 3: Get a domain name
A domain name is your website’s unique address on the internet. For example, Jobber’s domain is getjobber.com, which you’ll see in your web browser. The domain is one of the first things people notice about your business online.
A custom domain adds authenticity to your website and makes it easy for customers to find you online.
Here are some tips for selecting a memorable, professional domain:
- Keep it simple: Long or complex domain names can be hard to remember. Aim for a name that’s easy to spell and pronounce.
- Use your business name: This helps with branding and makes it easy for people to find you online.
- Include a keyword: Incorporate a keyword that’s relevant to your services. For example, if you run a plumbing business, words like “plumbing,” “plumber,” or “repair” can be helpful.
- Don’t use numbers or hyphens: These can make your domain harder to say out loud and can even look spammy. Stick to letters.
- Be unique: Your domain should be distinctive and not too similar to your competitors.
Register your domain name with a registrar like GoDaddy. Then, you can create a personalized email address through Google’s G Suite or Microsoft Office 365 using your domain name for another layer of professionalism.
Step 4: Set up web hosting
Web hosting is where your website “lives” on the internet. Think of it like renting a storage unit for your site’s files, images, and content for people to access online. Without web hosting, your site can’t be seen.
Choosing the right hosting ensures your site runs smoothly and is always available when customers need it.
Best web hosting options for home service businesses
Shared hosting
Shared hosting is best for new or small businesses with a simple website. Your site shares server space with other websites, so it’s a cost-effective option.
Example: If you’re starting a lawn care business and only need a few pages (e.g. services, contact, about), shared hosting (such as from Bluehost or SiteGround) is budget-friendly.
VPS hosting (virtual private server)
VPS hosting is best for businesses expecting a fair amount of traffic or needing additional resources to showcase digital assets. You share a server but have dedicated space, improving performance and reliability.
Example: If your construction company wants to showcase a large image gallery of past projects, your site might benefit from VPS hosting (such as HostGator) for faster load times.
Managed hosting
Managed hosting is best for businesses using a CMS (like WordPress) to build their website. Hosting is provided by the CMS, offering speed and automatic updates.
Example: If your cleaning service uses a WordPress site with a booking plugin, you could benefit from the hassle-free setup and maintenance of managed hosting.
Step 5: Design your website
Go with a design and layout that emphasizes your business’s branding—the colors, fonts, and style of your uniforms, business cards, etc.
The design should fit the tone of your business too. How do you want people to feel? What are their expectations?
The navigation and layout should lead your visitors to your desired objective, whether it’s checking out the service pages, finding contact information, or booking an appointment.
Your potential customers are on a mission. Finding the details they need and reaching out will likely be their top priorities. Design your website to guide them.
Step 6: Develop important pages
Then, there are essential pages you should plan for when making your website:
- Home page: This is the face of your site, conveying what your business is and what visitors need to know. Think of it as an executive summary of sorts.
- About page: This is the story of your business. Talk about the history and mission of your business. Introduce visitors to the owner (you) and team.
- Contact page: This page helps visitors get in touch with you. Include a contact form so people can send you a message without calling or opening their email app. List your phone number and email address. If you have an office or headquarters, include the address and a link to Google Maps.
- Services page: This covers what you do, how you do it, and how much it costs. If you have any credentials (certifications, licenses, and awards), this is a good place to mention them.
As your site grows, you might consider having a dedicated page for each of your individual services, like ZAP Pest Control does:
Pro Tip: When creating URLs for your pages, keep them short, include a keyword if possible, and use hyphens (“-“) instead of underscores (“_”). The service page for a plumber in Lansing, MI might be http://yoursite.com/plumbing-services-lansing-michigan
Step 7: Set up online booking
Your main call-to-action (CTA) will probably be for visitors to use an online booking form. So, make sure people can easily get to the form and book a service through your website.
Here’s an example from Guin Services. When visiting their homepage, you’ll see a CTA button under the main heading to schedule a service and another button in the main navigation to do the same.
Jobber’s online booking feature was built specifically for home service businesses and easily plugs into your site. The form is customizable, and you can collect your customers:
- Names
- Addresses
- The services they want
- And their preferred service dates and times
Plus, your services and availability are based on the preferences you set. When a booking is made, Jobber will automatically schedule the job, assign an available team member, and notify you. This type of form will help make your website a lead generation machine.
Step 8: Optimize for local SEO
When people need a painting service, they’ll likely search Google for a painter in their area. Getting your business to appear in local search results for your region can bring you leads without paying a cent.
Local SEO, or search engine optimization, helps your website appear higher on the search results page when someone searches for painting services on Google. Include key terms and phrases on your site that prospects might use to search for a local painter, such as:
- “Bedroom painter,” “home exterior painter,” or “professional painter,”
- Commercial painter in [CITY]
- Residential painter in [CITY]
- House painting services
Add these terms on every relevant page, in headers, headlines, and in the footer of your website.
You should also show your service areas. Parker Eco Pest Control has both a list of locations and a map. This helps visitors quickly determine if you serve their region.
READ MORE: Getting started with SEO for contractors
Step 9: Launch your website
Launching your website is an exciting milestone. It’s your digital business card that can help attract new customers and showcase your services.
To make sure everything goes smoothly, follow these tips:
Website pre-launch checklist
- Test the functionality: Check that all links work and that there are no “404” dead ends. Test all forms (contact, appointment booking) to confirm you receive the information correctly.
- Proofread the content: Review your messaging on all pages for spelling and grammar mistakes. Make sure your service descriptions are clear.
- Optimize for mobile devices: Your site needs to look and function well on smartphones and tablets. Many customers searching for a plumber or landscaper, for instance, will do so from their phones.
- Set up analytics: Install tracking for an analytics tool like Google Analytics (which is free) to monitor your site traffic and learn how visitors use your site.
- Do the SEO basics: Confirm that your site’s title tags, meta descriptions, and content use keywords, such as “home exterior painter” or “commercial painter in [CITY].”
Depending on the method you’ve chosen to make your own site, you may have different steps to follow from here. Talk to your developer, or refer to CMS help documentation for specific instructions.
Then, when your site goes live, it’s time to spread the word. Here’s how:
- Post on social media. Share the link to your website and let customers know what they can do on it (see past projects, request a quote, etc.).
- Send an email to existing customers announcing the launch of your new site. You could even include a special offer—like 10% off if they book a service through your website—to encourage visits.
- List your business on online directories, such as Google Business Profile, Bing Places, and Yelp.
- Add your website URL to business cards, flyers, and work vehicles. This helps with brand visibility and promoting your services and contact information.
- Partner with other local businesses to cross-promote. For example, a lawn care business could team up with a garden center to share each other’s services online.
Pros and cons of creating a website without a website builder
Making a website without a website builder gives you the freedom to create something unique and tailored to your specific services. Whether you’re showcasing your projects or offering online bookings, this approach allows you to design a professional looking website that fits your needs.
However, taking this route also has its challenges. To help you decide if not using a builder is the right choice, here are some pros and cons:
Pros and cons of creating a website without a website builder
| Pros | Cons |
| Complete control over design and functionality | Steeper learning curve |
| No recurring subscription fees | More time-consuming to set up and maintain |
| Ability to implement custom features | Potential security risks if not properly managed |
| Potential for better performance and SEO | May require ongoing technical support |
Frequently Asked Questions
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A Jobber website is the fastest way without using a website builder. Jobber offers a quick, easy solution for service professionals like plumbers, landscapers, and cleaners. Set up a site in minutes with pre-made templates and customization options to showcase your services, collect leads, and book appointments online. You can create and host your Jobber website for free with any Jobber plan.
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1. Choose whether you want to code from scratch, use a CMS, or hire a developer.
2. Secure a domain name and hosting.
3. Design your site and create essential pages like Home, About, Services, and Contact.
4. Add features like booking forms and testimonials.
5. Optimize for mobile and SEO.
6. Launch your site and share the news with customers and partners. -
Many home service businesses use WordPress to make their own website without coding. It offers a user-friendly interface, customizable themes, and plugins for nearly every function your business might need.
Other businesses use Jobber Websites, which get their brand and services online in just a few minutes. Battle Born Handyman, for instance, uses a simple design with a clear button for customers to click to request an estimate.