Do I Need a Website for My Small Business?

Short answer: probably yes. Here's the longer one.

If you've been running your business through word of mouth, a Facebook page, or just a phone number on Google Maps, you've probably wondered whether a proper website is worth the effort and expense. It is. Here's why.

Your customers expect to find you online

When someone hears about your business, the first thing they do is search for you. If they find a proper website with clear information about what you do, what you charge, and how to reach you, they're far more likely to pick up the phone than if they find a bare Google Maps listing and a Facebook page that hasn't been updated since February.

Most people look up a business online before they get in touch. If they can't find you, they find someone else.

A Facebook page isn't enough

A Facebook page or Instagram profile is useful. It shows you're real and gives people a place to see recent work. But it's not a substitute for a website:

• You don't control it. Facebook changes its algorithm, and suddenly your posts stop reaching people.
• It looks unprofessional. A proper website signals that you're serious. A Facebook-only presence signals that you're a side project.
• You can't optimise it for search. Google doesn't rank Facebook pages for local searches the way it ranks websites.

What a simple website actually does for you

A basic 3–5 page website (Home, About, Services, Contact) does four things that directly affect your bottom line:

1. Builds trust. People check websites before they call. No website = no trust signal.
2. Answers questions before you do. What you charge, where you work, what you specialise in. A website answers these so you spend less time on the phone repeating yourself.
3. Brings in customers who are already looking. Someone searching "plumber near me" at 9pm won't call you. But they will fill in a contact form.
4. Works while you sleep. Your website takes enquiries at midnight, on weekends, and while you're on holiday.

What about the cost?

A decent small business website in the UK costs £400–£1,200 for most cases. Hosting runs about £5–£30/month, and a domain name is £10–£15/year.

Compare that to what you'd spend on a single print advert, a leaflet drop, or a Yellow Pages listing (remember those?), and a website is cheap for what it returns. It also lasts years with only minor updates.

"But my business comes from word of mouth"

Word of mouth is brilliant. It means people trust you enough to recommend you. But even word-of-mouth referrals check your website before calling. When someone says "you should call Dave, he did our extension," the next thing that person does is Google "Dave builder" to see who they're dealing with.

If they find a clean, professional site with photos of your work and real testimonials, they call. If they find nothing, or a Facebook page with three posts from 2023, they might not.

What to do next

1. Decide what you need. For most small businesses, a simple Home, About, Services, and Contact page is plenty to start with.
2. Gather your materials. Photos of your work, a bit of text about what you do, any testimonials from past customers, and examples of websites you like the look of.
3. Get a few quotes. Share the same information with each designer so you're comparing like for like.
4. Don't overthink it. A good website up and running beats a perfect website that never launches.

If you're ready to get started, get in touch. I build straightforward, professional websites for UK small businesses, and I'll give you an honest quote with no fluff.