Do small businesses need a website? That question came up in my networking group recently. Everyone agreed: the answer is yes! Yet it was clear that lots of small business owners didn’t know why they need a website.
This blog post will tell you why you need a website in terms of things you actually care about: your customers, clients, and bottom line!
Why Small Businesses Need a Website
Whatever your goals are for your small business, I can just about guarantee a website will help you achieve them. That’s because websites are essential for many aspects of small business: marketing, advertising, sales, staying competitive, and so much more. That’s why your small business needs a website.
Entrepreneurs are busy. It’s true for me, it’s true for my Champaign-Urbana networking group, and every other small business owner I know. I know just how hard it is to get excited about adding one more thing to your never-ending to-do list.
No wonder so many small businesses still don’t have a website (around 27%)!
It’s much easier to get excited about a website when it’s helping you have the success and business you want. Websites are also vital for the things that small business owners care about most: reaching customers, making sales, and achieving success. Done right, it can even save you time.
Let’s look at the numbers.
9 Reasons You need A Website for your Small Business
1. Reach more customers with a website
98% of consumers use the internet to discover local businesses and 78% of location-based mobile searches result in an offline purchase.
The research is clear: people use the Internet to find products, services, and businesses. If you don’t have a website, they may never find you.
Discoverability is a big deal – if potential customers can’t find you, they won’t buy your products or services.
2. Websites are more discoverable than social media
Most people search for things on Google, not social media. A small business website is more discoverable than a social media account or page. (That doesn’t mean you should give those up, though! They just serve a different purpose.)
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3. Build trust and credibility with a small business website
62% of consumers won’t use businesses they can’t find online
Having a website looks professional – like dressing appropriately for a job interview. Potential customers know that building and maintaining a website is an investment. That tells them you’re a serious, trustworthy business.
The content on your website also builds authority and trust. It’s much easier to trust a company when you know who they are, what they do, their mission, and their values. It’s also a place to show off your knowledge of your industry, products, and services.
4. Gather and share social proof
89% of customers read online reviews before buying a product. Additionally, 58% of these shoppers say they are willing to pay more for products that have good reviews.
Positive reviews and testimonials give potential customers the confidence to become new customers. A website is a fantastic platform for gathering and sharing feedback. You can check out our portfolio page for an example.
5. Share info about your products and services
If you sell online, you definitely need a place to share information with potential customers.
Many customers will research online first, even if they’re purchasing in person. A small business website lets you share information about your business, products, and services. Plus, your customers will be able to research and compare before coming in. That can save you time on sales and educating customers.
6. Website content has a much longer lifespan than social media
The average lifespan of an Instagram post is about 2 hours. While blog posts will reach your audience for 30 days (peak) to 700 days (lifespan)
Social media posts are like butterflies – awesome but short-lived. Posts quickly get buried in users’ feeds, and very few search for things they might have missed.
On a website, your important information won’t get buried under other people’s content, and it’s easier to search. Creating content like blogs on your website has a much longer lifespan than social media.
7. Blogging is still a very effective content marketing strategy
Blogging drives traffic to your website, which helps potential customers find you. It builds over time – the more good content you post, the more discoverable your website will be.
You can also reshare that content to social media to drive engagement and encourage your followers to visit your website. (Bonus! Content for two marketing platforms for the price of one.)
8. Online sales are very big business.
STAT: 28% of business is conducted online
Adding online sales or service bookings has so many benefits!
- It expands your potential customers beyond your local area.
- People who are too time-crunched to visit during business hours can shop at their convenience.
- It’s like adding a new storefront, but the rent is much cheaper.
9. A Website Helps your small business compete
71% of businesses have a website and there Are Over 1.5 Billion Websites Worldwide in 2024
Most businesses have a website – including your competitors. That means they’re getting all the benefits we’ve mentioned. Customers will find them more easily, find info about them more easily, trust them more, are more likely to buy from them, and they’ll be protected if a social media magnate tanks yet another platform.
If your small business still doesn’t have a website, you’ll have trouble competing with businesses that do
Don’t you deserve the same benefits?
Conclusion
By now, you should have at least nine reasons why your small business needs a website. If you don’t have one yet, hopefully, I’ve convinced you to move your website from your “need to do” list to your “want to do” list. (Or at least grudgingly, moved to the “have to do” list.)
If you already have a website, it might be time to tweak or redesign your site.
Join our mailing list for more information and tips on small business websites. If you’re ready to build a website and want help, we’d be happy to chat!
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Need help with your small business website? Schedule a free consultation with me. We’ll discuss your goals, explore which package or custom solutions best fit your needs, and address any questions you may have about the process. If you’re local, let me know so we can meet at your favorite Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, coffee shop!
About the Author
Angie Isaacs is the owner of Bookend Creative Studio and a published children’s book author. On the blog, she writes about web design, branding, marketing, goal-setting, and writing.
