How to Build a Website for a New Business
Building a website for a new business starts with registering a domain name through an ICANN-accredited registrar, then making sure the site's claims follow FTC truth-in-advertising rules, any data it collects from visitors follows applicable privacy rules, and the site itself is accessible, since Title III of the ADA generally requires businesses open to the public to make their goods and services accessible to people with disabilities.
By LLC Register · Last reviewed October 2, 2026
Comprehensive Guide
Register a Domain Name
A business website starts with a domain name, registered through one of the more than two thousand ICANN-accredited registrars, per ICANN. These registrars are bound by a Registrar Accreditation Agreement and the relevant registry agreement for that domain extension (.com, .org, .biz, and others), while country-code domains are instead handled by separate ccTLD operators. Registering a domain also means providing contact information as part of the registration data, some of which may become publicly available depending on the registrar's and registry's current policies; check your chosen registrar's own disclosure before registering if privacy is a concern.
Don't Let the Registration Lapse
A domain registration runs for a set term and must be renewed to keep it active; losing track of the renewal date can mean losing the domain entirely, sometimes to someone else who registers it once it expires. Set a renewal reminder well before the expiration date, and keep the registration's contact information current so renewal notices actually reach you.
Decide What the Site Needs to Do
Before building anything, settle what the website's job is: informational only, a way to collect leads, or a full online store. This decision shapes what the site needs to include and what rules apply to it, since a site that takes payments or collects customer data takes on obligations a purely informational site doesn't.
Keep Claims on the Site Truthful
Per the FTC, claims made in advertising, including a business's own website, must be truthful, not deceptive or unfair, and backed by evidence where the claim requires it. This applies to product and service descriptions, customer testimonials and reviews displayed on the site, and any specific numbers or guarantees the site makes.
Follow Privacy Rules for Any Data You Collect
If the site collects visitor information, such as through a contact form or email signup, check which federal rules apply. Per the FTC, COPPA requires verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13, and applies to general-audience sites that knowingly collect data from children, not just sites built for kids. If the site collects email addresses for marketing, any commercial email sent later needs to follow the CAN-SPAM Act's rules on honest headers, a working opt-out, and a physical postal address.
Make the Site Accessible
Title III of the ADA generally requires businesses open to the public to provide full and equal access to their goods, services, and accommodations for people with disabilities, which federal guidance applies to online content as well as physical locations. Practical steps include adding alt text to images, captions for video, and making sure the site can be navigated without a mouse; building accessibility in from the start is far less work than retrofitting a finished site later.
Protect Your Business Name and Content
Registering a domain name doesn't check it against the USPTO's trademark database or stop someone else from using a similar name in a different context; a federal trademark is a separate filing if nationwide brand protection matters. Original written content, photos, and design on the site are automatically protected by copyright once created, though registering that copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is a separate step that adds legal benefits if the content is ever copied without permission.
Practical Considerations
A Website Doesn't Replace Registering the Business Itself
Putting up a website doesn't form an LLC, get an EIN, or satisfy any state or local licensing requirement; those are separate steps covered in our guide on how to register a new business. Treat the site as a tool the already-registered business uses, not a substitute for the registration itself.
Accessibility Is an Ongoing Practice, Not a One-Time Fix
New pages and content added after the initial build need the same accessibility treatment as the original site, so it helps to set an internal policy that every new or modified page meets the same standard. Retrofitting accessibility into years of accumulated content is far more work than maintaining it from the start.
Keep Registration Contact Information Current
A domain registrar typically sends renewal notices, and sometimes legal notices, to the contact information on file; letting that information go stale risks missing a renewal deadline or a notice you needed to see. Review and update it whenever your business's contact details change.
Review Website Copy the Same Way You'd Review an Ad
Because FTC truth-in-advertising rules apply to a business's own website the same way they apply to a paid advertisement, it helps to review site copy, testimonials, and specific claims with the same scrutiny you'd give an ad campaign, not assume the standard is lower just because it's your own site.
This Is Not Legal Advice
Which privacy, accessibility, and advertising rules apply in full depend on what the site does and who it's aimed at. Talk to an attorney about your specific site's data collection and content before launch, particularly if it's aimed at a general audience that could include children.
Sources
The official sources used for this article.
ICANN: How to register a domain name | icann.org/resources/pages/register-domain-name-2017-06-20-en |
|---|---|
ADA.gov: ADA Business Connection | archive.ada.gov/business.htm |
FTC: Children's Privacy (COPPA) | ftc.gov/business-guidance/privacy-security/childrens-privacy |
FTC: Advertising and marketing basics | ftc.gov/business-guidance/advertising-marketing |
FTC: CAN-SPAM Act compliance guide for business | ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business |
U.S. Copyright Office: Copyright basics | copyright.gov/what-is-copyright |
Created by: LLC RegisterLast reviewed October 2, 2026
Updated: October 2, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to trademark my business name before building a website?
Not to build the site itself; registering a domain name doesn't check the USPTO's trademark database or require a trademark. A federal trademark is a separate, optional filing that matters if you want nationwide protection against similar names in your industry.
Does my business website have to be accessible under the ADA?
Generally, yes. Title III of the ADA requires businesses open to the public to provide full and equal access to their goods and services, which federal guidance applies to online content, so features like alt text for images and keyboard navigation matter from a compliance standpoint, not just a usability one.
What happens if my domain name registration lapses?
The domain becomes available again and can be registered by someone else once it expires, since a domain registration only lasts for a set term. Renew it before the expiration date and keep your registrar contact information current so renewal notices reach you.
Do website privacy rules apply if my site just collects a customer's email address?
It depends on the site and audience. COPPA applies specifically to collecting data from children under 13, even on a general-audience site, and any marketing emails sent afterward need to follow the CAN-SPAM Act's rules on honest headers and a working opt-out.
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