Do I Really Need A Website?
When you're running a small business, sometimes you may wonder if this whole website malarky is worth it. We discuss whether all businesses need a website, and the reasons why a website may not be necessary for everyone (perhaps counterintuitively!).
Given the nature of our business, you would think that we at Mpowering Solutions believe that every business should have a website. And if we were a greedy, heartless digital consultancy, we would tell you that, yes, every small business owner should have a website. But alas, we are not greedy or heartless. And there are absolutely situations and circumstances when a website may not be necessary. So let's break it down and see what the different scenarios are.
What is a website for?
Around 90% of the time, a website is a vital gateway to the world for your business. Gone are the days of the physical Yellow Pages; internet search engines such as Google are the modern equivalent. So in order for your business and services to be findable and visible to the general public, the chances are you need some form of online presence to be listed on these search engines.
It's true that Google list social media accounts as well, but social media has its limitations: Twitter only allows 280 characters, Instagram allows 10 photos per carousel post, TikTok is video-based and not designed to store information. In contrast, websites are a way to provide as much information to your potential customers so they can do their research and make an informed, confident decision about using your services. You can use your website to list any policies your business may have, store menus and pricelists for visitors to download, display pictures as well as text, gather information through forms, and so much more.
So does every business need a website?
From a topline, general perspective, we would recommend every business have a website if you're interested in using your business as your sole or main form of income, or looking to grow an existing side hustle. A whopping 75% of consumers judge a company's credibility based on their website, so if you want your business to appear authoritative and trustworthy, it is recommended you have a website.
In addition, if you have an eCommerce business, it is recommended you have an eCommerce store, which is technically a website. Nowadays it's very easy to set up an online store using platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce, and these reputable platforms will ensure that any monetary transactions are safeguarded.
Then who doesn't need a website?
Having just said that, there are definitely reasons why your business may not require its own individual website. See if your business falls within one of these categories:
The Side Hustle
If you have a full-time job and are just pursuing a hobby as a side hustle, chances are you won't need a full-blown website, as a website opens your business to the entire world. So if you are busy with your job, chances are you're happy to just sell a few products once in a while to supplement your income and enjoy your hobby, and so a fully fledged website may require too much work to maintain if you just want an order once in a while.
Instead...
Work on your social media profile: chances are, you only want your side hustle to reach a smaller group such as your group of followers to ensure you don't take on more orders than you can serve. Still, make sure your social media accounts look strong in case you get new followers or referrals
Find the right marketplace for your business: platforms such as Etsy are great for craft enthusiasts who want to sell their products without having to set up an entire website yourself. If you offer services such as DIY or dog walking, there are platforms that allow you to list your trade too (such as Taskrabbit and Rover respectively).
The Local Celebrities
I know a local dog walker who is essentially a celebrity in our neck of the woods. Having gone on a few walks with her, she confessed that she doesn't work on her social media or even have a website because she gets so many word-of-mouth referrals and requests, she actually has to turn them down, especially since the post-Covid puppy boom meant an influx of additional dogs in the area, and she's only got her 2 legs and the same 24 hours.
If you are in such a fortunate position whereby you are happy with the amount of business you already consistently have, you don't really need a website, as you are not looking to advertise your services to attract new customers, especially if you're a Local Celebrity and you have a strong reputation in your craft and neighbourhood. Oh, if only we could all be so lucky!
Instead...
Keep working that word of mouth! It is a known fact that word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising, as we tend to trust the opinions of our friends and families than paid ads. Familiar with the Marketing Funnel? Congratulations! You're in the Advocacy stage, which is the dream of every business owner. So keep doing what you're doing; you're doing something very right!
The Volume Business
There are some entrepreneurs and businesses who thrive on low-value, high-volume products, so need to sell their goods in a high traffic environment instead. Building a website from scratch takes time to garner visitors and views, so the priority may be to list your products on existing high volume marketplaces, to leverage off their existing high traffic.
Instead...
Find the right marketplace for your business: platforms like Amazon and eBay are great for businesses looking to churn out high volume sales. Yes, the marketplace is congested and busy, but the upside is the incredible volume of visitors these websites receive everyday. Some of them like Amazon can hold stock of your products, offering a potential logistical solution as well.
Where do I fit in?
If you're unsure whether your business needs a website, pop us a message and we can talk through your business with you and see if a website is the best avenue for you, free of charge. Our goal is to empower you in the digital world, and we will never sell you services your business doesn't need.
So what are you waiting for? Get in touch and let's have a chat to see what the best digital avenue is for your business!