I build websites for a living, so you'd expect me to say yes. And mostly, I would. But "do I need a website?" is a genuine question that deserves a genuine answer, not a sales pitch.
The honest answer: It depends on how your customers find you and what happens when they do.
If people Google what you do (and they do for most services) you need to show up. A website is the only thing you fully control in search results. Your Google Business Profile helps, but it's limited. Social media profiles are at the mercy of algorithms. A website is yours.
If you need to explain what you do. Some businesses are simple: "I'm a plumber in Guildford." Others need more space: "I'm a holistic wellness practitioner specialising in trauma-informed breathwork." If explaining your service takes more than a sentence, you need a website.
If you want to be taken seriously. Fair or not, people judge businesses by their online presence. A professional website signals legitimacy. A Facebook page with a pixelated logo and three posts from 2022 signals the opposite.
If you sell anything online. Products, services, appointments, courses. If money changes hands based on what someone sees online, you need a proper website. Not a Linktree. Not an Instagram bio.
If you're competing with businesses that have websites. If your competitors have good websites and you don't, you're handing them customers. Simple as that.
If all your business comes through word of mouth and you're at capacity. Some tradespeople, for example, are fully booked through referrals alone. A website would be nice but it's not urgent.
If you're testing a business idea. Before you invest in a website, validate the idea. A landing page or even a social media presence might be enough to test demand.
If your business is purely local and face-to-face. A market stall selling handmade soap might get more value from a good Instagram presence and a Google Business Profile than a full website. But even then, a simple one-page site helps.
If you genuinely cannot afford one right now. A bad website is worse than no website. If your budget is £0, focus on a Google Business Profile, get listed in local directories, and save up for something proper.
I hear this a lot: "I don't need a website, I've got Instagram."
Here's the problem: you don't own Instagram. Meta does. They can change the algorithm tomorrow and your reach drops 80%. They can shut down your account. They can charge you to reach your own followers.
It happens. Regularly.
Social media is a brilliant supplement to a website. It's a terrible replacement for one. Your website is your digital home. Social media is the pub where you chat to people and invite them back to yours.
If you've decided you need one, the next question is how much you need. Most small businesses fall into one of these categories:
A one-page site. Your name, what you do, how to contact you. Maybe some photos of your work. Total cost: £500–£900. This is enough for many service providers.
A brochure site (3–5 pages). Home, about, services, contact, maybe a portfolio or testimonials page. This is the sweet spot for most small businesses. Total cost: £900–£2,000.
A site with a blog or content. Everything above, plus a blog to drive search traffic over time. Costs a bit more to set up but pays dividends in organic traffic. Total cost: £1,500–£3,000.
An e-commerce site. You're selling products online and need a catalogue, cart, and checkout. Total cost: £2,000–£5,000+.
A custom web app. Booking systems, client portals, membership areas. This is where things get bespoke. Total cost: £3,000–£10,000+.
Don't buy more than you need. You can always add features later.
"Do I need a website?" is usually the wrong question. The right question is: "What's it costing me not to have one?"
If the answer is "I'm losing potential customers to competitors who have better online presences," then you need a website.
If the answer is "nothing, I'm fully booked through referrals," then you probably don't. Yet.
Either way, make the decision based on your business reality, not because someone (including me) told you that you "have to" have one.
And if you want to figure out what you actually need without committing to anything, tell me about your project and I'll point you the right way.
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