Why every business, no matter how small, needs its own website
Jul 14, 2025
By Lorna Walker
Many small business owners who attend our courses either don't have a website at all or have a very basic site that they rarely update or actively use. It's increasingly common for small businesses to rely solely on Facebook as an alternative to having their own website. Whilst we've already written about why relying on Facebook for your web presence is a bad idea, in this guide I want to explain exactly what a website can do for your business and why it's more important than ever.
Your website builds instant customer trust and credibility
Consumers are constantly looking for ways to reduce the risk associated with making a purchase, particularly when buying from a company for the first time. One of the strongest signals of legitimacy is whether a business has its own professional website.
A proper website with your own domain name (like www.yourbusiness.co.uk) makes your business appear far more substantial and trustworthy than one that relies only on a Facebook page or uses a Gmail address rather than professional email addresses. 86% of customers perform online research before making significant purchases, and having no website immediately raises red flags about your business's credibility.
You have complete control over your online presence
As we've discussed previously, one of the biggest disadvantages of relying on Facebook or other social platforms for your business's web presence is that you have very limited control over how you can present your business information. You're entirely at the mercy of these platforms because, essentially, you don't control your own web presence – they do.
Over the last couple of years we've seen numerous examples of algorithm changes, policy updates, and platform restrictions affecting businesses overnight. With your own website, you control the design, content, user experience, and most importantly, your customer data. We'd never recommend abandoning Facebook entirely – it remains a valuable marketing channel for many businesses – but it should work alongside your website, not instead of it.
Your website could be your most important source of new customers
Even a simple website with just a few pages can become a reliable and consistent source of new customers for your business. The vast majority of consumers perform online searches before making significant purchases, and without a website of your own, you're missing out on connecting with many, many potential customers.
People now use longer, more conversational search queries, and with the rise of AI-powered search engines and voice search, having a website optimised for these new search patterns is crucial for being found by potential customers.
Modern customers expect online communication channels
Fewer people are using the telephone to conduct business than ever before. There's been a long-term decline in phone usage for business enquiries, whilst smartphone interactions have increased dramatically. Research shows that growing numbers of consumers, particularly those under 40, won't do business with companies that only offer telephone contact.
Customers want to communicate with you via their preferred channel and at their chosen time. This increasingly means they want to access information about your business and communicate with you online rather than via phone or in person.
Your website works 24/7 whilst you don't
Consumers want information in the format they prefer and, crucially, when they want it. Your website is always available and can provide potential customers with the information they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – something that's rarely practical for small businesses to offer through any other channel.
This is particularly valuable as customers increasingly research and make purchase decisions outside traditional business hours. Weekend and evening browsing has increased significantly, and many purchasing decisions now happen during these 'off hours' when your competitors without websites simply aren't available to potential customers.
Provide unlimited information without extra costs
Your website offers virtually unlimited space to present information about your products or services. It's a mistake to assume people won't read detailed information – they will if they're genuinely interested in what you're offering and considering making a purchase.
Customers researching potential purchases are generally very interested in finding comprehensive information about products and services. Your website allows you to present as much detail as needed in an easy-to-navigate format that doesn't cost you anything extra. Compare this with traditional print brochures where space is severely limited and every additional page increases your costs. In terms of cost-effectiveness and information capacity, a website is far superior to any other marketing tool.
Showcase your business with video, audio and interactive content
Traditional print brochures are limited to words and static images. Your website opens up much more engaging possibilities that can significantly improve how customers understand and connect with your business.
Does your product need demonstration? Add video content to your website. Need to show before-and-after results? Create interactive image galleries. Offering bespoke services? Include a quote calculator or booking system. Websites now can incorporate AI-powered chatbots, virtual tours, interactive product configurators, and much more.
These multimedia elements don't just make your website more interesting – they help potential customers understand your products and services better, building confidence in their purchasing decisions. This interactive approach typically leads to higher conversion rates compared to static marketing materials.
AI chatbots provide instant customer support
One of the most significant developments for small business websites in 2025 is the widespread availability of affordable AI chatbots. These intelligent systems can handle common customer enquiries 24/7, providing instant responses even when you're not available.
Modern AI chatbots can answer frequently asked questions, help customers find products or services, collect contact information, and even process simple bookings or orders. For small businesses, this technology provides enterprise-level customer service capabilities at a fraction of traditional costs. Many chatbot solutions cost less than £30 per month and can handle hundreds of customer interactions simultaneously.
The technology has become remarkably sophisticated – today's AI chatbots understand natural language, learn from interactions, and can maintain conversations that feel genuinely helpful rather than robotic. This means your website can provide immediate assistance to visitors, dramatically improving their experience and increasing the likelihood they'll become customers.
Your website saves you valuable time
Your website serves as a resource for existing customers as well as potential new ones, providing essential information that can save you considerable time. Think about the questions your customers ask most frequently – how much time could you save if the answers were readily available online?
By providing comprehensive information, FAQs, ordering processes, and support resources on your website, you free up time to handle more complex enquiries that genuinely require personal attention.
Creating a website is easier and more affordable than ever now
Many small businesses still avoid creating websites because they believe it will be expensive and time-consuming, or they worry they lack the necessary technical skills. Whilst these concerns may have been valid years ago, they're simply no longer accurate.
These days, creating a professional small business website is more affordable and accessible than ever:
- Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com offer drag-and-drop interfaces that require no coding knowledge, with plans starting from around £10-15 per month
- AI-powered design tools can create professional websites in minutes based on your business type and preferences
- Template libraries provide thousands of professional designs specifically created for different industries
- Mobile-responsive designs are now standard, ensuring your site works perfectly on all devices without extra effort
- Built-in SEO tools help your website get found in search engines without requiring technical expertise
A basic professional website can be created and launched for as little as £100-500 in initial setup costs, with ongoing expenses of £50-200 per month depending on your requirements. For most small businesses, this represents exceptional value considering the 24/7 marketing and customer service capabilities it provides.
Better search engine visibility brings more customers
Having a website allows you to be found by potential customers when they search for your products or services online. This is particularly important in 2025, as search engine optimisation (SEO) has evolved to focus more on user intent and helpful content rather than just keywords.
Modern search engines, including Google's AI-powered features, reward websites that provide genuinely useful information and good user experiences. Even a simple website with clear information about your services, location, and contact details can help you appear in local search results when people look for businesses like yours.
The rise of AI search platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google's AI Overviews means your website content can now be discovered and recommended through these new channels as well as traditional search engines. This provides additional opportunities for customer discovery that simply don't exist without a website.
Your website is your digital shopfront
Your website serves as your digital shopfront – often the first impression potential customers have of your business. Just as you wouldn't operate a physical store without proper signage, lighting, and organisation, operating without a professional website puts you at a significant disadvantage.
The businesses thriving in today's market are those that make it easy for customers to find them, learn about them, and engage with them online. With website creation being more affordable and accessible than ever, and with AI tools making ongoing management simpler, there's never been a better time to establish your professional online presence.
About the author
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