We are in the Digital Age where everything is online. 

That means that your customers and clients are online and they are creating online habits such as searching for things they need, searching for answers to questions and more than likely, they’re searching for your type of product or service. 

In the days where you can go online to do your shopping with Amazon, to order your weekly grocery shop with stores like Asda or Sainsbury, to apply for loans and credit cards, it’s safe to say that the average consumer prefers to do things online because of convenience. 

It is for this very reason why as a small business, you should create an online presence, so at least you are able to share the online marketplace with your competitors and have some chance at showing that you exist as a business, to your target audience. 

But regardless of this, there are still several small business owners who justify not having a website, citing reasons such as the cost and upkeep, not being tech-savvy, already having too much business without one, not needing one or having a social media presence instead of a website.

If these are the reasons why you do not have a website in 2020, then here are some facts that discount each of those reasons to help prove the case why having a website is important as a small business and why your competitors are probably doing better than you, because they have one. 

Cost and upkeep

With so many online platforms helping small business owners create an online presence, you can create a cost-effective website for as low as $12 per month.

The great thing about these platforms, is that they use drag and drop technology, helping you build websites effortlessly and in very little time. 

They also offer done-for-you templates where the design is already created for you. All you have to do is insert the text you want. 

Online platforms are making having a website as easy as possible, that really there should be no complaint. 

If you are worried about upkeep, online platforms also take care of your technical needs, so you don’t have to spend as much time on it as you think you need to.  Plus these website platforms have customer support to help you get through any technical challenges you may encounter.

Not being tech-savvy

You may think that you need coding skills to create a website or you may need to understand HTML and technical jargon, however this is furthest from the truth. 

That’s because you can build a website today with zero code or HTML skills. 

Website builders like Wix, SquareSpace and even LeadPages and content management platforms like WordPress make it incredibly easy to build a website. 

They even have done-for-you templates where websites are packaged and given to you in a box. 

So the next time you say that you are not tech-savvy, remember that you are only creating excuses for yourself.

Too much business without one

There are businesses who operate by referrals alone. 

And that’s ok if referrals are a steady driver of business for you, but wouldn’t you like to guard against the possibility of referrals drying up?

As a smart business owner, you must always prepare for these eventualities and should have a plan in place to find your next customer or client in the event an existing customer does not refer one to you. 

Even if you can confidently rely on referrals, having a website can help you attract new customers and clients outside of your circle.

If they need to do research on you, your website can be your advocate. It’s always there as your online business card to let people know that you exist and are credible. 

When someone tells me that they do not have a website, I often do not take them seriously. From a personal perspective, a website helps you to build a brand and reputation for yourself.

Relying on social media sites

Typically small business owners who have a social media presence, will justify why there is no need for a website. 

They may have a social media account on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube and attract a good following of fans who engage with their content. 

Why then, should this be a concern, if their social media presence is a good driver of traffic to their business. 

Well one major reason why this is a huge concern is because, when a small business relies on social media as their main source of business, it puts them in a dangerous position for their business and puts them at the mercy of social media owners. 

If you look at the fine print of the terms and conditions of these social media platforms, you will see that accounts can be terminated at any time, if it does not adhere to the policies of the social media platform. 

This became true for one social media influencer who literally lost her business overnight.

I’m not saying that relying on social media platforms is not a good thing. 

It’s important as a business owner that you be smart and responsible about your business, so that you’re not making wrong decisions that will likely harm you in the long run.

For the very fact that social media platforms can take away your account access at any time, leaving you without a business in seconds, is a very compelling reason why you should have a website for your business.

Stay in control of your business by choosing to have a website.

How Much Does a Website Cost For a Small Business?

Website costs can range from as low as $3/month if you’d like to DIY your own website, to as much as $50k if you want a custom-made website. 

There are many online platforms that provide competitive prices and great packages for simple websites that can be built within less than a day.

Other more complicated websites may require you to hire a web developer or designer which can increase the price you pay. 

If you are wondering about the potential maintenance costs for keeping a website, here are some of the anticipated costs you will have to consider: 

• Domain from $0.99 or even less offered by some domain name providers 
• Hosting from $3 or even less offered by some hosting providers
• Premium Themes from free to $150+
• Premium Plugins from free to $150+ if you are using WordPress as a content management platform
• Backup systems from free to $2/month
• Security systems from free to $2/month 

Benefits of a Website for Small Businesses

Now that we’ve dispelled some of the untruths regarding small businesses and websites, we wanted to share the important benefits with you as a business when you have a website. 

1. Build trust and credibility

Websites build credibility and trust with your target audience. It simply is your business address online. It shows that you exist and that you are real. 

It is where people can go, to get more information about you. With your website, you can add customer/client testimonials, more information about the products and services that you sell, tell your visitors about you and your unique value proposition, add value to their lives in the form of articles and blog posts, which can boost your expertise and authority in your field.

2. It is a business growth tool

You can build your business using a website. With the growth of social media and the internet, it is absolutely crucial that if you want to grow, that you include a website as an important business growth tool.

When you have a website, you can extend your reach and gain visibility, through the search engines, to your business which you would not otherwise be able to do, without a website. 

3. Create a strong brand

If you are interested in creating a strong brand, having a website helps you to build a strong relationship with your audience by demonstrating that you understand their needs. When you build a brand, this will improve loyalty and help you generate repeat business. 

As a brand, people buy from those that they know, like and trust. With a website, you can let your visitors know who you are, how you can solve their problems, educate them about your business, improve customer service by allowing you clients or customers to submit enquiries or feedback through your website. 

4. More freedom of time

Having a website gives you more free time since it allows your business to be open 24/7. It allows people to know more about you, without them having to personally come to you for the information. You can also provide common answers to questions that you often get and you can use it as an automated system that helps you attract prospects and build the relationship for you.

What does that mean for you? More time to focus on income-generating activities whilst your website takes care of the rest.

5. Efficient way to promote your business

Having a website gives you more reach. It allows you to get in front of potentially millions of people and gives you more visibility when promoted the right way.

If you are still promoting your business via word-of-mouth, flyers, business cards, magazine or newspaper ads, then you are limiting your potential and covering less ground.

Online marketing with the use of a website will help you go further and can create a steady stream of people coming to you for your business.

If you did not have this and do not use online marketing, then you are leaving a lot of money on the table which is being taken up by your competitors.

Wrapping Up

With all the reasons give above, I think it’s hard to ignore the fact that having a website is creating a digital asset for your business that belongs to you. 

It’s also one of the best ways to add credibility to your business, if you are looking to build a brand and create growth that allows you to expand your reach outside of your inner circles.

Let’s continue the conversation. Do you have a website as a small business owner? If not, why not?