When you’re launching or modernizing a small business website, one of the first questions that comes up is:
“Do I need anything more than a brochure site?”
If you’ve heard the term “brochure website” but aren’t sure what it means—or whether it’s enough for your business—you’re not alone. I’ve built dozens of brochure-style websites for local businesses that needed something professional, simple, and effective.
Here’s what a brochure website actually is, what it can do (and can’t), and how to decide if it’s the right approach for you.
What Is a Brochure Website?
A brochure website is exactly what it sounds like: a digital version of a printed brochure. It’s typically a small, informative site with just a few core pages that explain:
- Who you are
- What you offer
- Where you’re located
- How people can contact you
It’s clean, lightweight, and usually doesn’t include advanced functionality like logins, e-commerce, or online booking. The goal is to give potential customers a quick, professional overview—enough to build trust and prompt a call, message, or visit.
What’s Typically Included
A well-designed brochure website often includes:
- A homepage that introduces your business
- A services or offerings page
- An about page with your background or story
- A contact page with a form, phone number, and map
- Optional extras like testimonials, FAQs, or a photo gallery
For most small businesses—especially local service providers—that’s more than enough to establish a credible online presence.
When a Brochure Website Makes Sense
I often recommend a brochure website for businesses that:
- Are just getting started and need to launch quickly
- Don’t require online transactions or user accounts
- Get most of their leads via phone or contact forms
- Need a modern website without ongoing complexity or cost
It’s especially ideal for:
- Trades and service professionals
- Local shops and studios
- Freelancers and solo consultants
- Nonprofits with a simple mission to share
If you just need to get found online, look professional, and make it easy for customers to reach you—a brochure website checks all the boxes.
What It Doesn’t Include
It’s important to know what a brochure site doesn’t do. It’s not the right fit if you need:
- Online booking or scheduling tools
- User portals or logins
- Advanced form logic or CRM integration
- Product catalogs or e-commerce
- High-volume blogging or gated content
That doesn’t mean you can’t start with a brochure site and grow into something more. In fact, I often build brochure websites in a way that makes them easy to expand later.
Do Brochure Sites Still Need SEO?
Absolutely.
Even a simple website should:
- Be fast and mobile-friendly
- Include basic on-page SEO like meta tags and structured content
- Connect to a Google Business Profile
- Use proper heading structure and internal links
I make sure every brochure website I launch includes these foundational elements—because what good is a great site if no one can find it?
Is a Brochure Website Right for You?
If you’re not sure whether you need something more advanced, ask yourself:
- Do I need users to take specific actions on the website?
- Is my website a marketing hub, or just an online business card?
- Do I have the time, budget, or team to manage something more complex?
If the answer is “I just need to look legit and get leads,” a brochure website is likely the perfect place to start.
Let’s Build Something Simple and Effective
If your current site is outdated—or if you don’t have one yet—a clean, modern brochure website could be the fastest way to upgrade your digital presence.
Contact me today and let’s talk about what kind of site makes sense for your business. I’ll help you build something simple, polished, and built to grow when you’re ready.
