Website Launch Lab

Small business website cohort

Website Launch Lab: build a starter site people can actually use.

Website Launch Lab is a hands-on class series for entrepreneurs and small businesses who need a clear first website, not a confusing tech project.

Participants plan the site, write simple page copy, build the first version, and leave knowing what to do next with web addresses, hosting, SSL, Google Business Profile basics, and future updates.

Two ways to run it

Choose the shorter sprint or the deeper Launch Lab Plus.

Both versions use two-hour sessions. The three-session sprint is good when the goal is a clear starter site. Launch Lab Plus is better when participants need more practice, photo help, mobile review, search basics, and time to make decisions.

Starting at $1,250 per cohort

Website Launch Lab Sprint

Three two-hour sessions. Best for a fast cohort where participants leave with a starter site, a basic web presence, and a simple next-step checklist.

  • Plan the site and write the homepage
  • Build Home, About, Services, and Contact
  • Review, publish, and understand next steps

Starting at $2,400 per cohort

Website Launch Lab Plus

Six two-hour sessions. Best for a stronger outcome with guided build time, polish, mobile review, search basics, local visibility, and a clear next-step plan.

  • Three teaching sessions
  • Three hands-on lab and review sessions
  • More support for mixed comfort levels

Starting at $375 per review lab

Website review and launch help

Optional follow-up for participants who want help reviewing the starter site, choosing a web address, or making the site safer to share publicly.

  • Starter site review
  • Web address and hosting guidance
  • Google and SEO next steps

Final pricing can be adjusted for group size, travel, custom materials, registration support, and whether the partner wants add-ons included for every participant.

Sprint agenda

The three-session version moves from idea to starter site.

Session 1

Plan the website and write the homepage

Participants choose the website goal, identify who the site is for, write the first homepage message, gather photos and contact details, and set up a free starter site.

  • Audience and main action
  • Homepage headline and service list
  • Photos, phone, email, location, and trust details
  • Free WordPress.com starter site setup

Session 2

Build the pages customers expect

Participants build the basic structure customers need: Home, About, Services, and Contact. They add navigation, buttons, photos, local details, and trust signals.

  • Page structure and menus
  • Simple service descriptions
  • Contact path and buttons
  • Mobile readability check

Session 3

Review, publish, and choose the next step

Participants review the site, publish or create a final checklist, and learn what web addresses, hosting, SSL, SEO basics, and Google Business Profile mean in plain language.

  • Final site review
  • Search and Google basics
  • Web address and hosting options
  • Next-step checklist

Launch Lab Plus

The six-session version gives participants more build time.

Launch Lab Plus is the better choice when the group needs a slower pace, more live help, or a stronger final website. Each session is designed for two hours: short explanation, live demonstration, hands-on work, and review.

Session 1

Website message and setup

Clarify what the business does, who the site is for, what visitors should do, and what content is needed. Set up the starter site and confirm everyone can log back in.

  • Business goal
  • Customer and offer
  • Homepage draft
  • Starter site setup

Session 2

Homepage build lab

Build the first homepage sections, practice editing, add buttons, and review examples so participants can see what makes a page clear.

  • Homepage sections
  • Photos and buttons
  • Editing practice
  • Group review

Session 3

Services, About, and Contact

Create the pages that help customers understand the business and reach out. Add trust details like photos, reviews, experience, and local information.

  • Service descriptions
  • About page
  • Contact page
  • Trust signals

Session 4

Polish and mobile review

Review each site on a phone-size screen. Fix confusing headings, missing contact details, weak buttons, large gaps, hard-to-read text, and image issues.

  • Mobile view
  • Readability
  • Photo cleanup
  • Visitor flow

Session 5

Search and local visibility

Explain how customers find a small business online. Cover page titles, descriptions, service wording, Google Business Profile, reviews, photos, and local trust.

  • Plain-language SEO
  • Google Business Profile basics
  • Local service wording
  • First search checklist

Session 6

Final review and next-step plan

Participants review the starter site, check the contact path, understand web address and hosting choices, check SSL basics, and leave with a final checklist.

  • Web address choices
  • Hosting and SSL basics
  • Maintenance and updates
  • Final next steps

Cohort benefit add-ons

Discounted upgrades partners can offer participants.

These add-ons give participants extra benefits after the cohort without forcing them to buy anything during class. A partner can cover them for the group, reserve a few spots, or let participants choose their own next step.

Cohort rate from $125 each

Business flyer design

A clean one-page flyer participants can use online, print, hand out locally, or bring to meetings with partners and customers.

  • Participant provides wording and photos
  • CodeForce designs a branded flyer
  • Print-ready PDF and shareable image

Cohort rate from $225 each

Business print starter pack

A small print-ready package for participants who need offline marketing to match the new website.

  • Flyer or one-sheet
  • Business card direction
  • Short brochure copy or service handout

Cohort rate from $125 per website

Future Search Console setup

When the site has a clear address and is ready to track search results, connect Google Search Console and explain what the first reports mean in plain language.

  • Site verification support
  • Sitemap submission when available
  • Simple first-month search checklist

Cohort rate from $175 per business

Google Business Profile tune-up

Review the public business listing so customers can find accurate services, photos, hours, contact details, and location information.

  • Category and service review
  • Photo and description suggestions
  • Local visibility checklist

Cohort rate from $225 each

Domain and hosting setup call

Help participants choose a web address, understand hosting options, connect SSL, and launch safely when they are ready to move beyond the free starter site.

  • Domain decision support
  • Hosting and SSL guidance
  • Launch checklist review

Cohort rate from $175 each

Starter brand kit

Simple visual cleanup for a participant who needs consistent colors, fonts, logo use, and social-ready graphics before sharing the website.

  • Color and font direction
  • Simple logo cleanup guidance
  • Social profile image suggestions

Cohort rate from $450 per lab

Launch review session

A final review lab for participants who want another set of eyes on the site before they share it publicly.

  • Mobile and readability check
  • Contact path review
  • Prioritized next-step list

Cohort rate from $150/hour

Business consulting hour

A focused hour for a participant who wants help with an offer, pricing, content plan, Google visibility, or next-step decision.

  • Offer clarity
  • Website direction
  • Practical action list

Cohort rate from $350 each

Advertising starter package

Simple ad copy, audience notes, landing-page guidance, and a first campaign checklist before spending real ad budget.

  • Ad message direction
  • Audience and location notes
  • Landing-page checklist

Review materials

Session plans, worksheets, and checklists.

These materials show the class structure, participant outcomes, and the practical worksheets used during the cohort.

3-session agenda

The short sprint plan: plan, build, review, and choose next steps.

Download PDF

Participant planner

Worksheet for gathering website wording, services, photos, contact details, and trust signals.

Download PDF

After-class checklist

Plain-language next steps for free starter sites, web addresses, hosting, and support.

Download PDF

Partner one-sheet

Short overview for program staff reviewing whether the cohort fits their participants.

Download PDF

Launch Lab Plus session guide

Detailed six-session plan for the deeper cohort format.

Download PDF

Launch Lab Plus workbook

Expanded workbook for the six-session version.

Download PDF

Launch Lab Plus final review checklist

Final website review checklist before participants share the site publicly.

Download PDF

Plain-language technology

The class teaches website decisions, not just button-clicking.

Participants learn what every small business website needs: clear wording, a working contact path, readable mobile pages, trust signals, search basics, and a realistic plan for what to pay for later.

  • No required hosting purchase during class.
  • Beginner-friendly WordPress.com starter path.
  • Clear upgrade options after the website makes sense.
  • Optional CodeForce review or launch help after class.

Local teaching experience

CodeForce teaches practical technology in Western Massachusetts.

CodeForce has supported community technology classes, senior tech help, small business workshops, and marketing technology support across Western Massachusetts.

Greenfield Community College and local libraries

Community technology workshops through GCC with New Salem Public Library, Wendell Public Library, Colrain Public Library, Leyden Town Offices, and Northfield Senior Center.

Southern Hilltown Adult Education Center

Technology classes and senior tech hours, including work with Chester Senior Center, with patient support for everyday devices, online accounts, safety, and computer questions.

Franklin County CDC

Small business technology classes, including Canva-focused workshops and the planned website cohort.

LaunchSpace in Orange, MA

Creative business workshops on monetizing art, turning creative skills into teachable classes, and using AI to plan class content and promotional materials.

Legacy Economic Development Corp

Social media strategy and small business technology support for community-focused economic development work in Springfield, MA.

Transparent choices

Participants are free to choose their own tools.

CodeForce may recommend website platforms, web addresses, hosting, WordPress tools, or support packages. Some optional links may be affiliate or referral links, which means CodeForce may receive a commission at no extra cost to the participant. Participants can use any website platform, registrar, or hosting provider they prefer.