Does Your Small Business Actually Need a Website?

Or will your Facebook page do just fine? Let’s talk about it.

So, you’ve started a business – congratulations!

You’ve got a Facebook page, an Instagram account, a logo you’re rather proud of and approximately 47 things on your to-do list.

And now someone’s told you that you need a website.

Brilliant. Another expense. Just what you needed. 😂

But do you actually need one?

Well, the answer is… it depends.

Social media is brilliant. Until it isn’t.

Don’t get me wrong. Facebook and Instagram are fantastic tools for small businesses.

They’re free to get started with, they’re great for building relationships and they give customers a way to discover what you’re doing.

But there’s one little problem.

You don’t own your social media platforms.

Algorithms change. Accounts can be restricted. Posts disappear down people’s feeds faster than biscuits at a team meeting.

A website gives your business a more permanent online home — somewhere customers can find your services, prices, contact details and everything else they need without scrolling through six months of Facebook posts.

A website can make you look more established

Imagine you’re looking for a local plumber, dog groomer or beauty therapist.

You find two businesses.

One has a Facebook page with a few photos and a phone number.

The other has a lovely, easy-to-use website explaining what they offer, where they’re based and how to get in touch.

Which one would make you feel more confident?

Now, that’s not to say the business without a website isn’t brilliant at what they do.

But a thoughtful website can help customers feel reassured before they’ve even spoken to you.

It can save you answering the same questions 400 times

How much do you charge?

What areas do you cover?

Do you offer appointments at weekends?

How do I book?

Sound familiar?

A good website can answer those questions while you’re busy actually running your business.

Think of it as a helpful little employee who doesn’t need holidays, tea breaks or a pension.

Although, unfortunately, it won’t make you a coffee either.

But here’s the big secret: not every business needs one immediately.

If you’re just testing a business idea, have a handful of customers and your Facebook page is doing everything you need, a website might not be your first priority.

And that’s absolutely fine.

I’d much rather someone invest in a website when it makes sense for their business than spend money they can’t afford because somebody told them they had to.

But if you’re growing, answering the same enquiries repeatedly, struggling to showcase everything you offer or wanting customers to find you through Google, it might be time to consider one.

Your website doesn’t need to be complicated.

You don’t necessarily need an enormous website with twenty pages and all the bells and whistles.

Sometimes a simple, thoughtfully designed website with clear information and an easy way to get in touch is exactly what your business needs.

And that’s where I come in.

At Erskine Digital, I create friendly, affordable websites for small businesses, without the confusing jargon or intimidating processes.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or giving your existing website a little glow-up, I’d love to hear what you’ve got in mind.

Fancy a chat about your website?

Get in touch and let’s see what we can create together.