Starting a new business website in Memphis? Good. Because building a website here isn’t just about having a digital business card. It’s about showing up—visibly, credibly, and in a way that makes sense to the people who live and work in this city. Memphis isn’t generic, and your site shouldn’t be either. It should feel like it belongs here; like it knows what Gus’s fried chicken tastes like and how long Union Avenue construction’s been dragging on.
Let’s talk about how to build a site that doesn’t just exist online, but actually works; especially in Memphis.
Start with the city, not the code
Memphis is a strange, beautiful mix. It’s got world-class logistics thanks to FedEx, a music scene that never really sleeps, and a tight-knit small business community that still believes in word of mouth. According to the Memphis Chamber of Commerce, more than 90 percent of businesses here are small businesses. That’s not just a stat. That’s your competition, your collaborators, and your customers.
So if you’re building a website here, it needs to speak the local language. That means adding geo-targeted keywords like “CPA in Cordova” or “event planner in South Main.” It means claiming your Google Business Profile and making sure your hours don’t say “open now” when you’re actually closed for a Tigers game. It’s small stuff, but it adds up.
Mobile isn’t optional, especially here
More than 60 percent of web traffic comes from mobile devices. Memphis isn’t bucking that trend. People are checking restaurant menus while circling for parking in Overton Square. They’re looking up your hours while waiting at a red light on Poplar. Your site has to work on a phone, and it has to work fast. According to Statista, mobile traffic continues to dominate.
Use a responsive framework like Bootstrap 5. Test it on
everything—iPhones, Androids, the weird off-brand tablet your cousin still uses. And if you’re not sure it’s mobile-friendly, Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test will tell you. No sugarcoating.
Trust matters more when it’s local
People in Memphis tend to trust people from Memphis. So your site should show that you’re part of the community, not just parachuting in with a Wix template and a dream.
That means real testimonials from local clients. Not “John S.” from nowhere. Actual names, actual businesses. If you’ve partnered with local organizations or are part of the Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South, say that. Show the logos. These little trust signals matter; especially when someone’s deciding between you and three other tabs they’ve got open.
Local SEO: still not optional
If you want to show up on Google when someone types “dog groomer near Cooper-Young,” you need to play the local SEO game. And honestly, it’s not that mysterious. Here’s what you need to do:
- Claim and fully fill out your Google Business Profile.
- Add schema markup so Google knows your address, hours, and what you actually do.
- Get reviews—real ones—from local customers.
- Create location-specific pages like “Wedding Photography in Midtown Memphis.”
Tools like Moz Local and BrightLocal can help you stay on top of your listings and track how you’re ranking. Worth every penny if you’re serious about visibility.
Content that sounds like it lives here
Here’s the thing. You can’t just write blog posts for Google. You have to write for people. And those people, in this case, are Memphians. So your content should reflect that.
Write about events in the city that tie into your business. Share case studies from local clients. If you’re a tech consultant, maybe publish a guide like “Top 10 Tools for Small Businesses in Memphis.” That kind of content doesn’t just help with SEO; it builds trust. It shows you’re paying attention to what’s happening here, not just repackaging blog posts from a national template mill.
Speed isn’t just about impatience; it’s about access
Let’s be honest. Internet speeds in Memphis can be… variable. Some neighborhoods are blazing fast. Others, not so much. If your site takes forever to load, people won’t wait. They’ll bounce. And Google will notice.
Get a good hosting provider. Look for one with regional CDN support so your site loads fast no matter where someone’s browsing from. Use tools like GTmetrix and Google PageSpeed Insights to figure out what’s slowing you down. Then fix it.
Build it like you’re going to grow
Even if you’re just starting out, your site should be ready to grow with you. Maybe you’re not selling products online yet; but you might be next year. Maybe you don’t need a scheduling tool now. Give it a few months.
That’s why we usually recommend platforms like WordPress or Webflow. They’re flexible. You can add features without rebuilding the whole thing. Avoid platforms that lock you into a box. If your site can’t grow with your business, it’ll eventually hold you back.
Don’t just guess. Watch what people actually do
Once your site is live, don’t assume it’s working just because it looks nice. Install Google Analytics 4. Connect it to Google Search Console. That’ll tell you how people are finding you, what they’re clicking, and where they’re dropping off.
Want to get a little deeper? Use a heatmap tool like Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity. You’ll see what people are actually doing on your site. Are they scrolling? Clicking? Confused? It’s like watching someone use your site without having to awkwardly stand behind them.
So, what makes a Memphis website work?
It’s not just the design. It’s not just the SEO. It’s how all of it fits together and feels like it belongs here. Your site should load fast, work on phones, speak the local language, and show that you’re part of the community. Do that, and you’re not just online.
You’re in Memphis. And people will notice.
That’s the view from the ground.
We’ll be back soon with more real-world insights.
Until then, keep building.
– Perfect Sites Blog