How to Take Your Regional Business Online
Without the Tech HeadacheBringing your country business into the digital world doesn’t have to be confusing, overwhelming or expensive. Here’s how to make it simple, clear and doable.
So, you’ve got a business that’s going strong in your local community. Maybe it’s a farm store, a bakery, a wellness studio or a side hustle that's outgrown your kitchen table. You’ve built something people love—and now you’re ready to take it online.
But if the idea of tech, websites, and "marketing funnels" makes you want to run for the hills (or at least ignore your inbox for a week), you’re not alone.
The good news? Taking your business online doesn’t need to feel like a full-time job or a tech nightmare. In fact, with the right tools and a bit of support, it can be one of the smartest, simplest ways to grow.
Why Taking Your Business Online Is Worth It
Before we get into the “how”, let’s talk about the “why.”
Taking your regional or rural business online means:
Reaching beyond your postcode – Whether you're selling physical products, offering bookings, or just want more people to find you, a website opens you up to new customers who don’t live next door.
Showing up in Google searches – More people are searching for “café near me” or “best massage in [town]” than ever before. If you’re not online, you’re probably not showing up.
Building trust – A well-designed website makes your business look polished, reliable, and professional—even if you're running things from your home office (or the paddock).
Selling 24/7 – Your website doesn’t sleep, which means it can take bookings, sell products or share info even when you're off the clock.
Step 1: Get Clear on What You Actually Need
Not every business needs an all-singing, all-dancing website. A simple, well-designed site that reflects your business and offers the right info is more than enough to start.
Ask yourself:
Do I need online bookings?
Do I want to sell products?
Do I need to showcase my work or portfolio?
Or do I just need a digital home to direct people to?
Once you’ve answered those questions, the right platform and layout becomes a whole lot clearer.
Step 2: Use a Platform That Makes Life Easy
I build most of my client sites using Squarespace or Shopify—both platforms are user-friendly, mobile-friendly, and easy to manage yourself.
Squarespace is perfect for content-driven sites like cafes, service providers, photographers, and wellness brands.
Shopify is my go-to for rural and regional businesses selling products online.
Both come with built-in tools like SEO, email marketing, and analytics so you don’t need to juggle ten different platforms just to keep your business running.
💡 Pro tip: Choose a platform you feel confident editing later on, so you’re not stuck waiting on a designer every time you want to update a price or photo.
Step 3: Write Copy That Sounds Like You
You don’t need fancy jargon or corporate-sounding blurbs. What people really want is to understand:
Who you are
What you do
How to work with or buy from you
Keep it clear, friendly, and aligned with your brand tone (and yes, I can help with that too if writing isn't your thing!).
Step 4: Use Good Photos (Even If You Take Them Yourself)
You don’t need a full-blown photoshoot, but a few clear, well-lit images of your product, space, or team can make a huge difference.
If you’re not quite ready to invest in professional photography, I offer Socials Made Simple—a service where I teach you how to take better photos and write captions that actually connect.
Step 5: Launch + Promote
Once your website is live, let people know about it! Add your site link to your:
Google Business profile
Facebook and Instagram bios
Email signature
Flyers, posters, packaging or wherever people might find you
And keep in mind, a website is a living thing. You can update it, change it, and grow it as your business evolves.
Need Help Taking Your Business Online?
At Prairie Studio, I work with regional and rural businesses to create websites that are easy to use, look good, and actually help your business grow.
From strategy and design to the tech bits and support, I’ll help you launch your online presence with confidence (and without the stress).
Let’s figure out what will work best for your business.