How to Keep Your Small Business Website Secure and Protect Client Info
Your website is a tool. It helps people find you, trust you, and reach out.
But most small business websites are built without a real security plan. They collect names, emails, and inquiries—but leave the backend exposed. That creates risk. And it weakens trust.
If your forms are not protected, private details can be sent through unsecure channels or picked up by bots. If your logins are weak or shared, someone can get into your site and make changes without your knowledge.
On platforms like Wix, Squarespace, Duda, or Showit, everything is managed through one account. That means one exposed login can put your whole site—and your reputation—at risk.
This article shows you what to check, what to fix, and how to protect the brand you are building.
Why Website Security Matters—Even if You Are Not Running an Online Store
You might not sell products online, but if you collect any information from visitors—names, emails, client inquiries—your website is holding personal data.
That means:
Your contact forms could be exposed
Your login credentials could be vulnerable
Your business reputation could suffer if your site is misused
Most service businesses use their site to support lead generation, outreach, and client communication. That makes security part of your brand.
Even small websites are targets. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) continues to recommend basic cybersecurity practices for all businesses—no matter the size.
Step 1: Add Two-Factor Login Protection
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the easiest ways to protect your website. It adds a second step when you log in, so even if someone gets your password, they cannot access your site.
Enable two-factor login on:
Your website platform (Wix, Squarespace, Duda, or Showit)
Your email account (Google Workspace, Outlook, etc.)
Your password manager
Your domain registrar or DNS host
Still routing contact forms to a personal Gmail account? That is a red flag for both security and brand professionalism.
As part of your brand setup, we help you switch to a secure, domain-based email address.
Step 2: Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
Weak or reused passwords are still one of the most common reasons small businesses get hacked.
Here is what to do:
Use passwords with at least 12 characters
Avoid repeating the same password on multiple platforms
Store everything in a secure password manager (like 1Password or Bitwarden)
If your password is easy to guess—or you are still using the same one you chose when you launched your business—it is time to update it.
Your login is the key to your entire site. It needs to be protected.
Step 3: Review Who Has Access to Your Website
If you have worked with a designer, assistant, or developer in the past, they may still have access to your site.
Log in and check:
Who has login access
What roles or permissions they have
Whether they still need it
We clean this up for every client during a custom website rebuild.
You should never wonder who can get into your website—and you should never be the only person locked out of it.
Step 4: Learn to Spot Phishing Emails
Phishing emails look real, but they are built to steal your login info or plant malicious code. In 2025, these emails are more convincing than ever.
Watch for:
Slight misspellings in the sender’s email address
Unusual requests to update payment or billing information
Attachments or links you were not expecting
Fake notices from platforms like Google, Squarespace, or Wix
If anything feels off, do not click. Go directly to your account instead.
For reference, here is how the FTC recommends identifying phishing scams.
Step 5: Protect Your Contact Forms
Your contact form is one of the most important—and most vulnerable—parts of your website.
It needs to be protected from spam, bots, and data exposure.
Make sure your site includes:
An active SSL certificate (HTTPS in your URL)
Secure email routing that is tied to your domain
A working CAPTCHA or spam filter
A form tool that does not leave entries publicly visible
Most website platforms include these options—but they are not always enabled by default. We audit and configure all of this during your website project.
Step 6: Make Sure You Have a Backup Plan
If your site breaks, gets corrupted, or needs to be rolled back after an update—you will want a recent version saved.
Depending on your platform, here is what to check:
Wix and Squarespace offer version history and site duplication (but limited backup flexibility)
Duda includes versioning and quick restore tools
Showit requires manual duplication or backup of designs
No matter the platform, you should always:
Set up weekly backups
Create a manual backup before making major edits
Know how to restore your site if something goes wrong
We include this in our website maintenance plans—so your site is not just live, but protected.
You Do Not Need an IT Team. You Just Need a Clear Plan.
Website platforms are getting easier to use—but security is still your responsibility.
The most common risks come from things that are easy to overlook:
A form routed through unsecure email. A password never updated. A past contributor still logged in.
You do not need complex software or technical skills.
You just need to set things up the right way—and keep them maintained.
What We Include With Every Website Build
At Boston Graphic Design Studio, we help service-based businesses build secure, professional websites—without adding unnecessary tech headaches.
We work with the built-in tools on platforms like Wix, Squarespace, Duda, and Showit to make sure your site is set up cleanly and securely.
Our website setup includes:
Secure contact form setup with CAPTCHA or spam filters
SSL configuration using platform settings
Contributor access review and login cleanup
Backup guidance based on what your platform allows
Optional ongoing maintenance and support after launch
We do not handle domain-level email routing—but we make sure your website forms are delivered securely and tested before launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does website security matter for small business websites?
Even if you do not sell products online, your website collects personal information—like names, emails, and client inquiries. If that data is exposed, it damages your credibility and makes it harder for people to trust your business.
How do I secure a contact form on my website?
A secure contact form should:
Be on a site with HTTPS (look for the padlock in the browser)
Use CAPTCHA or spam filters to block bots
Route submissions to a verified domain email, not a personal inbox
Avoid storing form entries in a public or unprotected dashboard
We configure and test this as part of every website build.
What is two-factor authentication and why is it important?
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra step when logging in—usually a code sent to your phone. It protects your account even if someone gets your password. Enable it on your website builder (Wix, Squarespace, Duda, or Showit), email account, and password manager.
What are the risks of weak passwords on small business websites?
Weak or reused passwords are one of the most common ways websites get hacked. Use strong, unique passwords for each account, and store them in a secure password manager. Never share passwords by email or text.
How do I check who has access to my website?
Log into your website platform and review the list of users or contributors. Remove anyone who no longer works with you, and make sure roles are limited to what each person needs. We include this access check in every redesign project.
Can my site be hacked if I am not selling anything online?
Yes. Security is not just for ecommerce. If your site collects contact forms or client info, it can still be targeted by spam bots, phishing scams, or login attacks. Every service-based website needs basic protection.
What is phishing and how do I avoid it?
Phishing happens when scammers send fake emails that look real, trying to trick you into giving away login details or clicking unsafe links. Always check the sender’s address, do not click anything unexpected, and go straight to the platform if you are unsure.
Does Squarespace (or Wix, Duda, Showit) back up my website?
Some platforms offer automatic backups or version history; others require you to duplicate or save manually. We help you review your platform’s options and recommend backing up weekly and before making major changes.
Can you improve my website security without switching platforms?
Yes. We rebuild and secure websites on Wix, Squarespace, Duda, and Showit. If your site needs better structure, stronger protection, and updated forms—we can handle it without moving platforms.
Final Thoughts
If your website collects client information, security is not optional. It is part of running a trustworthy business.
You do not need advanced tools or a full IT team. You just need to make sure the basics are in place—so your site works the way it should and reflects the level you are operating at.
We help service-based businesses clean up what is already there, fix what is missing, and rebuild websites that are secure, reliable, and ready for real client work.
