Ask a small business owner how they got their website, and a surprising number will say: "I bought the domain on GoDaddy and it offered me a website too." GoDaddy's builder is quick and simple, which is why so many small businesses use it. It's also limited, and the owners often know it.
Very few designers go looking for these businesses on purpose. That's the opportunity.
- 273
- Websites
- 33%
- Publish an email
- 16%
- Outdated © year
- 0%
- Not mobile-friendly
Who uses GoDaddy's builder
GoDaddy's builder is made for small businesses that want to get online quickly, so expect trades, clinics, local shops and one-person services. The owners are busy, often not technical, and they set the site up to get online, not to win design awards.
That shapes how you should approach them. Keep it simple, keep it local and keep the price clear.
What these sites need
- Updating. 45 GoDaddy builder sites still show an old footer year, a sign the site was set up once and left.
- More than a single page. Many are a short homepage with a phone number. A proper services page, a few photos and reviews can make a real difference to a local business.
- A way to stand out. Builder templates look alike. A site that looks like it belongs to that specific business is an easy upgrade to explain.
Reaching them
Fewer of these businesses publish an email address than on most platforms, around 33% in our data. Many list a phone number instead, and some only have a contact form. That's fine: a short message through their contact form, written like a local business talking to another, often works better than a polished cold email.
A simple offer works best
Don't lead with a big redesign. Offer something concrete with a clear price: a refreshed homepage, a proper services page and a contact form that works on phones. Small businesses buy small, clear projects. The bigger work follows once they trust you.
