Article by Jack Breen
Jack is an experienced SEO consultant with several years working in both in-house and agency roles, helping small businesses grow their visibility in a variety of industries.
How often do you shop for products or services online? The answer is probably often. In the United Kingdom, it’s estimated that roughly 85% of the population shop online, showing a continuing trend towards the need for businesses to have an online presence.
Despite this clear interest, some businesses still do not have a website. Whilst some businesses may profit without one, it’s important to make your business visible online to attract new customers and extend your reach.
In this article, we’ll be covering why all businesses should have a website, the type of website you’ll need, and some free examples to get you started.
Should I have a website for my business?
Yes, it has never been more important for a business to have their own website. Recent surveys show that 77% of consumers use Google when looking for local business information, emphasising the importance of having an online presence as a business owner.
Think of it this way: if there are people searching for your industry’s services online, why wouldn’t you have a website? By not having a website, you could potentially be alienating a large portion of potential customers.
Why may business owners not want a website?
There are several reasons why you may not want a website for your business. Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Your business profits purely through referrals, social media, or other traffic sources
- Customers won’t find your business via Google or other search engines
- It costs too much to make a website
However, you can refute these points with the following:
- Just because your business is successful without a website, it doesn’t mean it always will be, or that you cannot grow your business further
- It is highly unlikely that users do not search for your industry online
- Building a website is currently the cheapest and most accessible it has ever been
Online visibility is massively important for all businesses. Regardless of your industry, having a website always trumps not having one.
Why are websites important for businesses?
Having a website opens up many opportunities for your business, giving you a foundation to build your online reputation. Some of the many benefits include:
- SEO leads – having a website means you can appear on Google, Bing, and other search engines, allowing you to reach a new audience of customers
- Pay-per-click – now that you’re appearing on Google, you can try pay-per-click advertising to compete for high-converting searches
- Refer from other platforms – you can send users that find your business through other platforms to your website and increase the chances they convert
- Consistent, updated information – having your own website means you can change the look, feel, and sound whenever you like
- Your own space – You own your website, meaning no one else can dictate what you need to include
Need advice on your website?
Contact me for a free audit of your website from an SEO and UX perspective.
Do I need a website to start my business?
No, you don’t necessarily need a website to start your own business. Many small businesses start purely through word-of-mouth or social media, giving them a head start and the capital they need to invest in growing their online visibility.
When would I need to start thinking about a website?
Ideally, you would build your website as soon as you start your business. However, this is not always necessary or feasible depending on your industry. For example, you may have an arts and crafts side hustle that drives leads on Etsy. This may be sufficient alongside your main job, but if you choose to take it full time then creating a website will allow users to find you outside of Etsy and other similar platforms.
You may also need to start thinking about building a website if you’ve:
- Exhausted local and referral leads
- Drive all your leads through one platform (such as YouTube, Instagram, Ebay etc.)
- Started sharing informational content that could drive brand awareness, such as infographics, articles, or videos
What kind of website do I need for my business?
This depends on the size of your business, your industry, and how you’re looking to scale.
Many websites opt for a simple one-page design, meaning they have all the information their customers need on their home page. There is nothing inherently wrong with a design like this, however you will struggle to rank well on Google in particularly competitive fields. This is due to the fact that websites will optimise pages on their site for a given keyword.
For example, a pet sitting company could use a single page design that describes all of their services with a contact form at the bottom. However, approaching it from an SEO perspective, the website would have a better chance of appearing high on search results by creating individual pages for their services. This would include “dog sitting”, “cat sitting”, and any other services they offer.
You may also benefit from expanding your website to target users at different stages in their journey. Articles are a great way of building authority in your field, as you can provide information that will reinforce your brand in the user’s mind. PDFs, infographics, and other informational content are also great ways at building out your website.
Building a website for your business
Whether you’re looking to build credibility, attract local customers, or grow your reach online, a website gives you the control and visibility you need to stand out.
The good news? Getting started doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of free and low-cost website builders available that make it easy to get your business online, even with zero coding or design experience.
And if you need help planning the right kind of website for your goals, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help you get started on the right track.
Let's talk about your website!
FAQs
Can I run my business without a website?
Certainly, many businesses can operate without a website. However, you may run the risk of alienating a portion of your potential customers. Also, if your current way of generating leads stops working (referrals stop coming in, your Instagram account gets banned etc.) then having a website is a safe backup to fall on.
What do you need for a business website?
All websites should have a page or section dedicated to:
- Describing your business history, your aims, and your motives (typically an About Us page)
- Your services, either as individual landing pages or subsections on a home page
- Contact information
- Legal information about your business and website, such as cookie and privacy policies, alongside terms and conditions
Where can I make a free website for my business?
Platforms such as WordPress, Wix, and Shopify all have free options to build a website. They also offer scalability options if you do opt for a monthly subscription.
