Free One-Page Website for a Local Business: What to Include
If you run a local service (plumbing, cleaning, lawn care, hair, tutoring, pet sitting), you don't need a big website. Most customers want four things: what you do, where you work, what it costs roughly, and how to reach you. One clear page covers all of that, and you can host it for free.
Why one page is usually enough
- People decide fast. Someone searching "house cleaner near me" scans for a phone number and a service area. Extra pages slow them down.
- Less to maintain. One file is easy to update when prices or hours change.
- Free hosting works. A plain HTML page runs on free static hosts like GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Netlify or Vercel. No monthly builder fee.
What to include, top to bottom
- Business name + one-line promise. "Reliable lawn care in north Austin, same-week service."
- Call / text / book button. Put it near the top and again at the bottom. Use a
tel:link so phones can tap to call. To also catch people who'd rather type, see How to Add a Contact Form or Booking Link to Your Website. - Services list. 3–6 services with a sentence each. Add "starting at" prices if you can; it filters out mismatched leads. How to Write Your Small Business Website Text (Examples) has weak vs. better examples for each section.
- Service area. Name the towns or neighborhoods. This also helps local search.
- Proof. 2–3 short reviews (with permission), years in business, licensed/insured if true, a few photos of real work.
- How it works. Three steps: contact, quote, done. Lowers the "what happens next" worry.
- Hours + contact details. Phone, email, and address or "mobile service." Keep these exactly the same as your Google Business Profile.
- Short FAQ. Payment methods, cancellation policy, how far ahead to book.
- Footer. Name, contact again, copyright year.
Small details that matter
| Detail | Why |
|---|---|
| Page title like "Lawn Care in North Austin – Green Yard Co." | It's what shows in search results and browser tabs |
| Meta description (1–2 sentences) | Often used as the search snippet |
| Works on phones | Most local searches happen on a phone |
| Fast-loading, compressed photos | Slow pages lose visitors |
| Same name, address, phone everywhere | Consistency helps local listings match up |
How to get it online for free
- Start from a simple HTML template (or write one) and replace the text, colors and photos.
- Open the file in your browser to check it. Before you share the link, Small Business Website Launch Checklist (Before You Share) lists the phone, link and speed checks to run.
- Upload the folder to a free static host (GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Netlify, Vercel). Each has a free tier and a step-by-step guide.
- Optional: connect your own domain (usually a yearly fee from a registrar) or use the free subdomain. How to Connect a Custom Domain to Your Website (Steps) walks through the DNS settings. How Much a Small Business Website Costs compares the yearly costs of a builder plan and a template on a free host, with example numbers.
- Add the link to your Google Business Profile, social bios and invoices. If you don't have a profile yet, How to Put Your Business on Google Maps for Free (Steps) walks through setting one up. To show up in regular Google search results too, How to Get Your Business Website on Google Search (Free) covers Search Console and a sitemap.
Common mistakes
- Hiding the phone number at the bottom.
- No service area, so people outside it call and people inside it aren't sure.
- Stock photos only. Real job photos build more trust; What Photos to Put on a Small Business Website lists which ones to take.
- Stale hours or prices. Put a reminder to review the page each quarter.
If you want a head start: the Local Business Website Template ($12) is a one-page HTML/CSS site with these sections already laid out, 3 color themes, and hosting notes. You edit one file and upload it.
Honest note: I make these templates and sell them under Cedar & Ledger, so I'd earn from a purchase. General information only.
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Related template: read about the html business template template
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Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
What a one-page local business website needs (services, service area, proof, call button, hours), small SEO details, and how to host it free.
Do I need a template to do this?
No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.