Running a business online requires traffic to your website. Ensure your business website is designed to attract, engage, and convert. You need a website that can do three things for your small business: attract visitors, engage them, and ultimately convert them into paying customers. A website is more than just a pretty face—it’s your most powerful tool for sharing your business, your story, and your products or services with the world.

This post will guide you through the benefits of having a website and the importance of having a website in 2024 and beyond.

Why Does Every Small Business Need a Website?

A Website Establishes Credibility

People trust businesses that have a professional website. Without one, you may seem outdated or less reliable. Think about it: when was the last time you trusted a business that didn’t have a website? A website shows you’re serious, and it gives your customers a way to learn more about your services without having to hunt through social media profiles or guess what you offer. Create a website to avoid losing sales.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS:  It’s Your 24/7 Salesperson

A website doesn’t take a day off—it works around the clock. Whether someone visits your site at 2 AM or during business hours, it’s there to provide information, answer questions, and even take orders if you have a shopping cart system in place.

A business website is like having a full-time employee who never sleeps! Its like a digital business card that can be updated at any time of the day with the click of a mouse. It allows you to promote your business.

The website Is a Place Where You Showcase Your Offers

Every business has a unique story, and your website is the perfect place to share it. Whether it’s the origins of your company, your mission, or what sets your products apart, your website is a platform to tell your story your way. It's the place where you can share information about your business. Think of it as your digital storefront where you can showcase your personality. Your website is the best place to showcase your brand identity.

How a Website Can Help You Reach More Customers

Your Audience Is Online

Your customers are online right now—whether they’re searching for products, looking for solutions, or browsing for new businesses to support. If your business isn’t showing up in search results, you’re missing out. People are searching for your website to find out what you have to offer. A website helps you tap into that massive pool of potential customers who are already looking for businesses like yours.

Your Website Enables You to Reach a Wider Audience

With a website, geographical limitations disappear. Instead of being limited to your local area, you can reach people from across the globe. Whether you’re a local bakery, an online coach, or a retail store, having a website opens the door to a world of possibilities.

Show Up in Search Results

People often use search engines like Google to find products and services. If your business has a website, especially one that’s optimized with keywords and useful content, you have a chance to show up when potential customers are searching for what you offer. This can lead to more visitors, more inquiries, and ultimately more sales.

What Happens If You Don’t Have a Website?

Let’s paint a picture. You've decided not to have a website. What is will this decision cost you? A potential customer hears about your business and wants to learn more. They search for you online but find nothing—no website, no way to learn about your products or services. What’s their next move? They’re likely going to search for your competitors, who do have websites, and you lose out on a sale.

You’re Invisible Without One

Let’s be honest: not having a website in 2024 is like not existing at all. Without a website, customers who hear about your business won’t be able to find out more about you, and they’ll likely turn to competitors who do have a web presence. In short, you’re missing out on opportunities, and your competitors are scooping them up.

Take your business seriously. Creating a business website ensures your brand won't get overlooked. Not having a website is like turning customers away at the door. Don’t let that happen to your business.

Word-of-Mouth Isn’t Enough Anymore

In the past, a lot of small businesses relied on word-of-mouth to get new customers. While that’s still a valuable marketing tool, it’s not enough in today’s digital age. A website for your business gives your customers a place to send their friends, family, and colleagues when they recommend your services. Without it, you’re missing out on referrals and organic growth.

Keep Up With the Competition

Your competitors are online, and your customers are comparing your business to theirs. If they see your competitor has a professional website, but you don’t, who do you think they’ll trust more? Even if your services or products are better, a missing or poorly designed website can make you lose customers before you even get the chance to talk to them.

Best Marketing Tool: Your Website Allows You to Maximize Your ROI

It Complements Your Social Media

While having a social media presence is great, relying on it alone isn’t enough. Algorithms change, and social media platforms can limit how many people actually see your posts. Your website, however, is fully in your control. You can post content, add product pages, or share blog posts without worrying about reaching your followers. Social media should drive traffic to your website, where customers can learn more, sign up for newsletters, or make a purchase.

Relying only on social media for your business content is risky because, at the end of the day, you don’t own that platform. Algorithms can change overnight, and suddenly your audience isn’t seeing your posts as often. Worse, your account could get suspended or deleted, which means you'd lose all that hard work and those followers.

A website gives you full control and makes sure you always have a direct line to your audience. Plus, a website provides you with a way which you can present your products or services in a way that’s totally your style, and it boosts your chances of being found through Google searches, getting your website traffic. So, think of your website as your digital home base!

It Enhances Customer Engagement

A website allows you to engage with your customers in ways that social media or email can’t. Whether it’s through an FAQ page, a blog with helpful content, or live chat options, a website helps customers find the answers they need without having to call or email. This can save time for both you and your customers while building trust and rapport.

Data to Improve Your Business

One of the most overlooked benefits of having a website is access to valuable data. With tools like Google Analytics, you can track how many people visit your site, what pages they’re viewing, and how long they stay. This information is incredibly valuable for understanding what your customers are interested in and how you can improve/increase the sales of your products or services.

Build Trust, Build Business

Your website isn’t just a place for transactions—it’s a place where trust is built. When customers visit your website, they should feel confident that your business is legitimate, professional, and reliable. A well-designed, regularly updated website shows that you care about your business and your customers.

Take the Next Step!

Having a website is crucial for any small business. It’s your online storefront, your 24/7 salesperson, and the foundation of your marketing efforts. Whether you’re looking to build credibility, reach new customers, or grow your business, a professional website is the key to success.

Don’t miss out on the opportunities that a website can bring. Ready to build a website that sets your business apart? Click here to get started today and take the first step towards growing your business online!

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8 Comments

  1. I always thought most of this was obvious, but since then, I’ve seen lots of people try to do business without a website, maybe because they thought it was too complicated, expensive, or time-consuming. But they’re spending that money and time elsewhere anyway.
    I also see business coaches, for example, ones who teach people how to create an online course, telling people they can build a business without a website, and I think that’s short-sighted.

  2. Yes, yes, and yes!

    When I was doing various projects on my home a few years ago, I went to my neighborhood Facebook page to ask for recommendations first. We have over 800 homes in our community, and I like having service providers who are familiar with the builder because we have some weird wiring and other areas where shortcuts were taken.

    I would get recommendations of people in the neighborhood sometimes who had a Facebook page but no website. I never used anyone who didn’t have a website because I found it difficult to take their business seriously.

  3. Terre says:

    The Real Person Badge!

    The commenter acts as a real person and verified as not a bot. Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.

    Kim, that you so much for the reminders. I have been pushing my website to the back burner for years, mostly because of my stubborn determination to “do it all myself.” At the same time I have invested just about zero dollars or time to educating myself on the things I either don’t know or simply don’t understand. Being a control freak is only slowing me down. I do need help because I realize now that my time is better spent on things I do best and needing to relearn EVERY time I need to adjust something isn’t serving me. I needed this blog post more than you know!

  4. Amanda says:

    The Real Person Badge!

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    Thanks for all the tips. I need to remember to keep updating my website regularly.

  5. Tish says:

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    What an in-depth post, Kim! I’m amazed that there are still so many people that don’t have a website. I’ve met several people recently (in person) who told me, when I would ask what their website is, ‘I don’t have a website but these are my social media accounts, you can find and connect with me there.’ UGH what?! The next time I hear someone say that, I’m gonna tell them to come read this!

  6. I can’t imagine running a business without a website. Borrowing someone else’s platform to bring you business, in my opinion is a recipe for disaster.

    A website is very much a part of your business. When I worked as a hairdresser back in the day (before the internet) we relied on word of mouth. That was our form of social media of the times. We also gave our a lot of business cards with as much information as we could pack in those small cards.

    Today, there’s no reason to not have a website. You gave great steps as to what to do. Hope people see the value of websites and move forward in create one, even if it’s just one page.

  7. Rena Tucker says:

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    As a professional artist and art teacher, I’ve always known the value of having a website and I can’t imagine not having one. However, you’d be surprised at how many artists who call themselves “professionals” don’t have one! Instead, they rely on social media accounts and/or galleries to showcase and promote their work. Don’t they ever stop to think what would happen if those things were to suddenly disappear? Galleries have been known to shut their doors overnight, leaving these artists with NOTHING.

    I’m particularly shocked at my neighbor who is not just a professional artist, but also owns his own gallery in one of the big malls here in Las Vegas. All he has is an Instagram account! I know he’d be even MORE successful if he had a website, and the next time I talk to him, I’m going to point him toward this post.

  8. Thanks Kim!
    GREAT points.
    I’m in a group where one or two people are trying to make-do with LinkedIn.
    I too maintain that your website is the HUB of your business and offer a Website Compliance Review service for that very reason. Is the foundation SOLID with the policies, etc. clearly linked in the footer. What about the content on the webpages? Source of images, pdfs, etc. What protections for original content are in place. What are some suggestions for further improvements.
    You’ve given me further points to make. Thanks.

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