If you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, or freelancer, chances are you've asked yourself at least a few of these questions before launching or redesigning your website.
A website is no longer just a "nice to have" — it's your digital storefront, sales assistant, and credibility builder rolled into one.
Small business owners who have yet to launch a website may be wondering if it's worth the effort and cost. Before we answer that question with an emphatic yes, consider the following: Google reports that 97% of consumers search for local businesses online. Additionally, according to Forbes, 50% of all website traffic comes from mobile devices. With such an abundance of potential customers searching the web for services and products, small business websites are essential in today's digital-first world in order to be found by potential customers.
- 71% of small businesses in the world have a website.
- 45% of small businesses in the U.S. didn't have a website in 2017.
- 43% of small businesses plan to invest in website performance.
- 47% of small businesses in the U.S. have websites to ensure customers can find them online.
- 38% of small businesses in the U.S. have a website to establish the credibility of their services
- Small Business Website Statistics
81% of consumers do online research before buying a product or service.
21% of consumers in the U.S. said they turn to the internet to find a local business every day.
31% of shoppers in the U.S. reported they chose not to shop at a small business because it didn't have a website.
77% of consumers use Google Maps to find businesses near them.
88% of consumers will visit a related store after conducting a local search on their smartphone.
34% of consumers said they're likely to make an unplanned purchase if they see personalized content.
If you're a small business owner in Chicago, or the employee of a small business, you're probably intimately aware of your online presence. You may regularly keep tabs on your Google My Business listing and reviews. You may check how many likes or reactions a recent Facebook post received on your business page. But if you don't have a dedicated business website yet, or if your website is outdated and in need of a web design agency, this article will help you to understand that a company website is one the most important assets of any small business.
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Why Should a Business Have a Website?
In today's digital-first world, a website is no longer optional. It's the foundation of your online presence and often the first place customers go to decide whether they trust you, contact you, or buy from you.
Here's why having a website matters more than ever 👇
1. Your Website Is Your Digital Storefront (Open 24/7)
Unlike social media or physical locations, your website works for you around the clock.
Customers can:
- Learn about your services or products
- Check prices or offers
- Read reviews and testimonials
- Contact you or book appointments
Even while you sleep, your website is answering questions and generating opportunities.
2. Without a Website, You Won't Get Noticed or Taken Seriously
It's hard to believe, but less that 50% of small businesses have a website. As a small business owner, you're probably very aware of how important it is to take advantage of every opportunity you have to stand out – especially when the entry costs can be quite reasonable. Surprisingly, 78% of people research their purchases online. If you're one of the many businesses that hasn't yet established a website, you're missing out on almost 80% of potential new customers. With those odds, you need to make sure that your business can be found when potential customers are looking for services or products that you offer. A website gives your business a place to showcase your services and products in a professional format.
When a customer plans on making a purchase, one of the first things they do is to look for your business online. This helps them research your company, your products, and learn more about who you are and what you do without leaving the comfort of their home or office. If they can't find your website online, they are going to find your competitor's website. It's that simple.
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4. Customers Expect to Find You Online
Before calling, visiting, or buying, most customers:
- Google your business
- Check your website
- Compare you with competitors
If your website is missing or outdated, many customers will simply move on — without ever contacting you.
6. Stand Out From the Competition and Establish Credibility
Every day, more and more businesses are joining the online world. With so much competition out there, it's important to make sure that your business stands out and is seen as credible in the eyes of prospective customers. You need to take extra steps to make sure your website looks professional, modern, and inviting so that potential customers will want to do business with you.
Having a brand voice is a big piece of this puzzle. When you have a website designed with branding in mind, it gives your business a unique personality and helps to differentiate your company from the competition. Branding doesn't just provide cohesiveness and aesthetics to your site, it will also reflect on the professionalism of your business as a whole. This will help to create trust with prospective customers, and make them more likely to choose you over someone else.
Remember, your website is an extension of your business. It is the most imperative marketing tool at your disposal, and it's a portal for you to convey what you believe and who you are to the world. Your mission, values and persona can all be exemplified through a well-designed, branded website. And through this brand voice, people that visit your site can get to know who you and your company are, and they can trust, know and understand you and your business better.
If you don't have a brand guide just yet, think about the following:
- What makes you different from your competitors? What is unique to your business, family, lifestyle or geographic area that you can capitalize on?
- How do you want prospective customers to feel when they visit your website? What colors, font and voice do you want to use? For woman-owned small businesses, you may want a website that has a professional yet feminine feel.
- What is your messaging? What do you want people to know about your business? The copy on web pages is critical. When creating a website, it is important to remember that it is more than just an online shop or a portfolio site – it's an opportunity to tell your story, explain why you're in business and what services you offer. If you're unsure about how you want your voice to sound, you can hire a professional content writer to help you hone your message and craft it in a way that is reflective of your brand.
- Do you have a logo or a tagline that you commonly use? It's important to make sure that your branding materials are consistent across the board, including on your website. Having a short but memorable phrase can help you connect with your target audience, and it'll help them remember you down the line when they need your services again. There's a reason why big brands have jingles – they get stuck in your head!
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7. A Website Helps You Get Found on Google
Creating a website is just the first step. You need SEO services to make sure your website ranks well in Google and other major search engines so that potential customers can find you easily. This means optimizing for local searches, implementing keywords, producing quality content and improving the overall user experience on your website.Search engines rely on websites to:
- Index your business
- Understand what you offer
- Show you in local and industry searches
Without a website:
- You miss organic traffic
- You depend only on ads or social media
- Your competitors get visibility instead of you
A website is the base of all SEO and online discovery.
8. It Supports Sales, Leads, and Growth
A good website doesn't just inform — it converts.
With the right structure, your website can:
If your website is missing or outdated, many customers will simply move on — without ever contacting
9. Your Website Works for Local and Global Customers
Whether you're a local business or serve international clients, a website helps you:
- Reach customers outside your immediate area
- Appear in local search results
- Communicate clearly across time zones
- Scale without adding physical locations
10. Harness Social Media to Reach Your Target Audience
Your website is a powerful tool for digital marketing and advertising. With the right strategy and resources, you can use your website to reach your target audience with precision. Social media is a great way to introduce yourself and your business to potential customers. You can create content that speaks directly to them, and you can also use paid advertising to target specific demographics.
Social media is also a great place to showcase your products or services, as it gives potential customers a glimpse of what they could expect from working with you. Use creative visuals, write compelling copy and make sure that your social media accounts are always up-to-date with relevant information. Within each of your social media accounts – whether Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok – you can add a link to your website, and drive more users and visitors by means of your social media efforts.
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9. Leverage Content Marketing Opportunities
Content marketing is a great way to extend your reach and engage with potential customers. Writing blog posts, creating videos or sharing articles about topics related to your industry are all effective ways to get people interested in what you have to offer. You can also use content marketing tactics to boost your SEO efforts, as well as offer discounts or promotions on products and services.
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10. It Saves Time for You and Your Customers
A website answers common questions before customers even contact you:
- What do you offer?
- How much does it cost?
- Where are you located?
- How can I book or order?
This reduces repetitive inquiries and lets you focus on actual business.
11. Your Website Grows With Your Business
A website is not a one-time tool — it's a living business asset.
You can:
- Add new services
- Launch promotions
- Publish content
- Integrate booking or payments
- Expand into eCommerce or automation
No other digital tool offers this level of flexibility.
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12. Measure Your Results
Having a website isn't just about having an online presence – it is also about tracking and analyzing your results. Knowing how well your website is performing will help you make informed decisions on what changes need to be made, or where improvements can be implemented in order to increase leads and sales. You can use website analytics to measure your visitors' behavior and determine which pages, products or services are performing well and attracting more customers.
These insights will allow you to make changes that will help you reach your goals, as well as identify areas of opportunity for improvement. Additionally, tracking how well certain campaigns convert can reveal what works and what doesn't, so you can focus your efforts on campaigns that will give you the best return on investment.
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