If your company is reasonably successful, you may have a variety of reasons why an effective website isn’t all that important to you.
Sure, you understand the importance of having a web presence, but you may not believe that an effective website will make a significant difference for your specific business — especially if you’re already profitable.

What are your thoughts? Is a website required to run a successful business?

This article discusses why having a business website is a good investment and why you don’t always need one.

Is a Website Necessary for My Business?

Many business owners wonder, “Do I need a website because I have a small business with a small workforce and we don’t sell anything online?”

Yes, the answer is YES!

If you own a business, you should have a website in order to compete with competitors who already have one.

Furthermore, are you certain you won’t be able to sell your product online? COVID-19 has changed the retail landscape, with millions of shoppers searching for everything from books to clips to houses to natural gas and more online. So, while you dither, your competitor has most likely seen the value of a website for their company.

You certainly don’t want to fall behind.

“But doesn’t my Facebook page count?” you ask.

Is a Website Required If I Have a Facebook Page?

Businesses frequently rely on Facebook or other social media platforms as their primary advertising channel. And these channels provide benefits.

For example, they can help you build a larger audience and even conduct market research. However, a Facebook page should not be used in place of your company’s website. Here are some of the reasons why.

1. You do not have control over your Facebook page.

What if Facebook decides one day that it will no longer support businesses? If your Facebook page was your only online presence, all of your clients and followers would likely vanish.

In fact, not long ago, Facebook went down globally, causing panic.

While it’s unlikely that Facebook will stop supporting businesses, you have no say in the changes Facebook makes.

However, you have complete control over the appearance and features of your website.

2. Facebook Has SEO Restrictions

Consider this. Where do you go when you’re looking for a local business? Google or Facebook? The 3.5 billion daily Google searches demonstrate that most people prefer search engines to social networks for information.

A business website allows you to position yourself so that people will find you when they search for the products or services you offer. Even if you can easily compete with larger websites, you can optimize your site for local searches in order to attract a local audience.

3. A website has more credibility.

A company website is a symbol of trust, and people only buy from companies they know, like, and trust. While it may be easier to create a Facebook page, a business website will allow you to command more authority and trust.

4. Facebook’s Attention Is Fleeting Facebook is extremely competitive.

Having your business listed on Facebook means you’re constantly up against competition from other businesses.

Furthermore, you must compete with your prospective client’s Facebook friends. Many people find advertisements irritating, especially when they want to interact with friends, so they will disregard your business posts or advertisements.

A business website, on the other hand, ensures that you have the full attention of a potential client. So, while you may have to do some legwork to get them to your website, once they’re there, the chances of them patronizing you increase.

We’re not saying you shouldn’t have a Facebook page for your company. Instead, your Facebook page and other social media platforms should assist your website—not replace it.

The Advantages of Having a Website

A business website has numerous benefits for both small and large businesses. The following are the most important advantages of having a business website.

1. A professional appearance is provided by a business website.

Anyone can create a company page on Facebook; it’s free and easy to do. Because of the low barrier to entry, a business social media page loses a lot of credibility. Customers have no idea who is behind a Facebook page, where they are, or if it’s all a scam.

Creating a business website, on the other hand, is not free and indicates that you are relatively serious about your business. As a result, having a business website makes you appear more professional and credible.

2. It’s an important step in your customer’s journey.

An effective website is where you want your audience from various channels to end up. Your potential clients will take action on your website.

People walk by your website like it’s a physical store, until they come in to see what you have to offer. So, even if they don’t buy anything the first time they walk in, they might on subsequent visits.

Customers discover your company through various channels, such as social media feeds. If the social feed ad piques their interest, they’ll expect to visit your website to learn more about the company. If there is no website, they may not take the next logical step in the customer journey.

3. A website boosts your visibility.

There are over 4.5 billion active internet users worldwide, with mobile devices accounting for more than 90% of them.

Without a website, your company is virtually invisible to these customers. With COVID-19 pushing the global market even more digital, unless you invest in a website, your company will become invisible to those who matter.

4. It Is Required for Local Businesses

Many small business owners do not see the value of investing in a good business website. However, they are currently passing up a fantastic source of revenue.

The following statistics demonstrate the significance of a website for a local business:

Local intent is included in 46% of Google searches.
Search is used by 97% of users to find local businesses.
After conducting a local search, 28% of users purchased an item.
70% of users will visit a store based on what they discovered online.
A business website will assist you in realizing all of this potential and increasing the profitability of your company.

5. It provides social proof

What your customers say about your company can influence whether or not others patronize you. While review sites like Yelp are useful, your website is the best place for people to learn more about your company.

Putting your best testimonials on your website is a powerful way to build trust and social proof. Furthermore, posting your best reviews on your website ensures that third-party review sites do not downplay the positive things people say about your company.

6. A Business Website Provides Long-Term Value

One of the best aspects of investing in a business website is that it continues to provide value to you even years after you’ve created it.

When you pay for social media ads, your potential clients will only see them for as long as you keep them running. If they don’t see it, you’ll have to pay for the ad campaign again.

A business website, on the other hand, will provide you with a ROI over time. Even if you don’t see any returns in the first year, you have time to tweak things until you do.

7. Building a Business Website is Easier and Less Expensive Than You Think

Many business owners refuse to create a website because they believe it is difficult and expensive to do so. That, however, is not the case.

There has never been a better or more affordable time to create high-quality websites. You can find inexpensive and simple-to-use website builders. Creating and hosting a website is a fairly simple process.

8. You Can Sell With a Business Website

Online ecommerce sales are skyrocketing and are expected to exceed $5.4 trillion by 2022. Surely, none of these sales occur with companies that do not have websites.

Even if you aren’t a traditional ecommerce company, having an online storefront can help you attract new customers and sell even when your physical store is closed.

9. You Have Total Authority Over Your Website

Unlike social media platforms, your website is your property, so you have complete design freedom.

You can post user reviews, videos, images, and anything else you want.

You also don’t have to abide by the constantly changing rules of social media platforms. And even if there is a social media blackout, such as when Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp all go down for a few hours, your website and its content are safe.

10. A business website is simple to maintain.

It used to be difficult to manage a website. However, with a content management system (CMS) like CMS Hub or WordPress, managing a website is now easier than ever. Furthermore, you do not need any technical knowledge to keep your website up to date. We offer managed plans so You don’t have to worry about security, updates, or anything.

11. Websites Help with Customer Service

An effective website will provide your customers with all of the information they require. As a result, there’s no need for them to call about the location, hours of operation, or other simple inquiries. A website improves the overall customer experience by assisting customers.

Furthermore, because simple customer questions don’t bog down your workforce, they can focus on other critical processes that boost company productivity.

12. A Website Can Help You Beat the Competition

Even as a small business, an effective website allows you to compete with the “big boys” in your industry. It is possible to outrank larger websites and get quality leads organically from search engines if you play your cards correctly and properly optimize your website.

But, even with all of the advantages of having a website, is it possible that you don’t need one for your business? Yes, for the following reasons.

5 Reasons Why Your Business Doesn’t Need a Website

Here are some reasons why your company may not require a website.

1. You Have No Desire to Advance

One of the primary reasons for having a functional, effective website is to increase your client base and revenue. If you’re not looking to significantly expand your business, there’s probably little reason to try to find more clients or increase your revenues.

2. You Have a Good Number of Leads

Many businesses excel at obtaining referral customers and expanding their existing network. If this describes you, a website may not be necessary. This, of course, assumes that your Rolodex will continue to be an effective mechanism for obtaining all of the new business you require.

3. You will not be hiring anytime soon.

If you’re looking to hire more people, chances are your prospective employees will want to learn more about you. And they’ll most likely visit your website.

If all other factors are equal, potential recruits will prefer a company with a vibrant website over one with a web brochure.

Small businesses would benefit from a website because they lack the resources to attract exceptional people outside of their immediate network. A website can assist with this.

However, if you are not looking to hire top talent, you do not need a business website.

4. You have a virtual monopoly in your industry.

If you have the luxury of running a business with little (if any) competition and an offering that people must have, a website is probably not necessary. Your clients require what you have, and they have nowhere else to turn. Congratulations! Though a flashy new website may impress your spouse and coworkers, it is unlikely to help your business.

5. You do not anticipate selling the company anytime soon.

For an increasing number of businesses, the website is an important asset that is considered in valuation discussions. This is especially true if you own a startup, a high-tech company, or one that “scales” well (i.e., adding new customers does not increase costs proportionately).

The reason is straightforward. You have a better business if you have an effective website and can demonstrate that it is successful in helping you get new clients. Many businesses can achieve low customer acquisition costs by using the Internet.

Another advantage of using the Internet for marketing and sales is that it is more easily measured. Consider selling your company and showing the acquirer a chart of your web traffic (and how it has grown over time) and precise data on how that traffic translates into revenues — you will almost certainly find that the two are highly correlated. If I were a buyer, I’d sit up and take notice.

Last Thoughts

It is ultimately up to you whether or not to create a website for your company. However, if one of your company’s goals is to improve lead generation, visibility, social proof, and authority, building a website is a great place to start.