Do I need a website for my company? 12 reasons to consider and 5 reasons to think otherwise

Is a website necessary for a company's success? This article explores the benefits of investing in a business website and when it might not be necessary
If your business is doing quite well, you can find plenty of excuses why you don't need a useful website.

Certainly, you recognise the importance of having an online presence, but you may not be convinced that a successful website will have a significant impact on your particular business - especially if it's already quite profitable.

What do you think? Is a website essential for a business to achieve success.
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Does my company need a website?

Many entrepreneurs wonder whether it's necessary to have a website for their small business with a small team, especially if they don't sell online.
The answer is yes!

Having a website for your business is essential to avoid losing customers to competitors with an online presence.

What's more, can you confirm that you can't sell your product online?

COVID-19 has changed the retail sector, with millions of customers buying a variety of products online, such as books, hairpins, houses, natural gas and more. Although you may hesitate, your rival has probably realised how effective a website can be for your business.

Being left behind is something you definitely want to avoid.

However, you might ask yourself: ‘Isn't the Facebook page enough?’
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Do I need a website if I have a Facebook page?

It's common for companies to use Facebook or other social media platforms as their main marketing channel. And these channels bring benefits. For example, they help you increase your audience and carry out market research. However, a company website cannot be replaced by a Facebook page.
Here are some explanations for this.

  • You don't own your Facebook page

What if Facebook suddenly stopped supporting businesses one morning? If your Facebook page was your only online presence, all the customers and followers you had gained would probably disappear. In fact, Facebook suffered a global outage not long ago, causing moments of chaos. Although it's unlikely that Facebook will stop supporting businesses, you have no control over the changes Facebook decides to make. However, with your website, you have full authority over the look and functionality of your websites.

  • There are restrictions on Facebook's search engine optimisation (SEO) potential

Think about it. When looking for a local business, where do you usually go? Which do you prefer: Facebook or Google? Google receives 3.5 billion queries a day, which indicates that most people prefer to use search engines rather than social media platforms to look for information. A business website allows you to establish your presence, making it easier for people to discover you when they're looking for the products you offer or the services you provide. Although you can rival larger websites, you can focus on optimising your website for local searches in order to attract an audience from your geographical region.

  • A website has more credibility

A company website symbolises trust, and customers only buy from companies they know, have a positive impression of and trust. Therefore, while creating a Facebook page may be quicker, having a business website would allow you to establish more authority and trust.

  • Focus is fleeting on Facebook

The competition on Facebook is very strong. Being listed on Facebook means constantly competing with several other companies for business.

In addition, you have to deal with your potential customer's Facebook friends. Many people are annoyed by adverts, especially when they are trying to interact with friends, which causes them to ignore your company's posts or adverts. However, a business website guarantees a potential customer's undivided attention. Therefore, although it may take some effort to attract them to your website, the likelihood of them becoming a customer once they have entered your website is greater. This is not to say that you shouldn't have a Facebook page for your company. However, your Facebook page and other social media platforms should complement your website rather than replace it.
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Advantages of a professional website

Regardless of the size of your company, a corporate website offers numerous benefits. Here are the main advantages of having a corporate website.

  • Having a business website gives you a professional appearance

Creating a company page on Facebook is easy and costs nothing; it can be done quickly. Easy access to entry diminishes the credibility of a company's social media page. Customers are unaware of the identity, location and legitimacy of the organisation running a Facebook page. However, developing a business website comes at a cost and shows that you are very committed to your business. So having a business website increases your appearance of professionalism and trust.

  • It's a crucial part of your customer experience

An efficient website is the place where you want your audience to arrive through various channels. The website will motivate your potential customers to take action. Your website works in a similar way to a physical shop - people pass by it before deciding to come in and explore your offerings. Even if they don't make a purchase during their initial visit, they may decide to buy something on future visits. Similarly, customers find your company through various channels, such as social media. If the advert on social media catches their eye, they are likely to want to explore the website to find out more about the company. Without a website, they may not move on to the next step in the customer journey.

  • Having a website makes it easier for others to see you

More than 4.5 billion people use the Internet worldwide, and more than 90% of them use mobile devices to access it. If you don't have a website, your company will go virtually unnoticed by these people. If you don't invest in adapting to the increasingly digital global market due to COVID-19, your company won't be noticed by important audiences.

  • Local businesses must prioritise this to be successful

Many small business owners don't recognise the importance of investing in a successful business website. However, they are currently failing to take advantage of a fantastic opportunity to generate income. These statistics show the great importance of a website for a local business:

  • 46% of Google searches are for local businesses;
  • 97% of users use search to find local businesses;
  • 28% of users have bought something after a local search;
  • 70% of users will physically visit a shop based on online discoveries.

Having a business website can help you exploit all this potential and increase your company's profitability.

  • Provides proof of social acceptance

Your customers' opinions can determine whether potential customers decide to support your company. While review platforms like Yelp are useful, your website is the ideal destination for people looking for additional details about your company. Displaying your top endorsements on your website is a successful method for building trust and demonstrating social credibility. In addition, displaying key reviews on the website prevents external review platforms from minimising positive feedback about your company.

  • A corporate website offers long-term value

One of the biggest benefits of investing in a corporate website is its ability to provide ongoing value long after its creation. Your potential customers will only see your own adverts on social media for as long as you continue to pay for them. If the advert isn't visible to them, you'll have to make another payment to launch the marketing campaign. However, a company's website will eventually provide a return on investment. You can keep tweaking things until you see a return, even if it takes longer than the first year.

  • Building a business website is simpler and more cost-effective than you might think

Many business owners avoid the task of creating a website because of their perception that it is complex and expensive to design a successful website. However, this statement is incorrect. Creating high-quality websites has rarely been as simple and cost-effective as it is today. You have access to cheap and easy-to-use website creators. Creating a website and putting it online is quite simple.
Check Studio.351's price for website development

  • Having a business website allows you to make sales online

The global e-commerce market is expected to exceed 6.86 trillion dollars by 2025, an increase of 8.37% compared to 2024. Without a website, companies will certainly not make any sales. Even if you're not a typical online retailer, having a digital storefront can attract new customers and allow sales to continue when physical shops are closed.

  • You have full control of your website

Since the website belongs to you, you have full control over the design, unlike on social media platforms. You have the option of publishing user comments, videos, images and anything else you want to share. What's more, you are not obliged to adhere to the ever-changing guidelines of social media platforms. In the event of a social media blackout, such as when Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp go offline for a few hours, your website and its content will remain safe.

  • Managing a business website used to be intimidating, but now it's easy to manage

Thanks to content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress, it's now easier to manage a website. What's more, no technical skills are required to keep your website up to date.

  • Websites improve customer service

A successful website offers a substantial amount of crucial information that your customers need. So there's no need for them to ask about the location, opening hours and other basic questions. Customer service improves the overall customer journey on a website. What's more, because customers' basic questions don't overwhelm your employees, they can focus on other crucial tasks that increase the company's overall efficiency.

  • A website can give you a competitive edge

Even if you're a small business, having a successful website allows you to rival the biggest companies in your sector. By effectively optimising your website and making strategic moves, you can outrank larger websites and attract high-quality leads through organic search engine results. Despite the many advantages that a website offers, there's a chance that your company doesn't need one. Certainly, and here are some explanations why.
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5 reasons why your company doesn't need a website

Here are some factors that may indicate that your company doesn't need a website.

  • You're not interested in expanding

One of the main aims of having a functional and successful website is to expand your customer base and increase your profits. If you don't aim to substantially expand your business, there is likely to be little motivation to seek out additional clients or increase your earnings.

  • You have an adequate number of potential customers

Many companies excel at acquiring referral customers and utilising their existing network to generate new business opportunities. If you're in this situation, a website may not be too crucial. This assumes that your Rolodex will continue to be a successful tool for obtaining all the new business you need.

  • You won't be hiring in the near future

If you want to hire more employees, potential candidates are likely to look for additional information about your company. And they're likely to visit your website. When all else is equal, candidates will choose a company with an active website over one with just a brochure on the web. Small companies can benefit from a website because they don't have the resources to attract the best talent beyond their immediate circle. A website can help with this. However, if you're not interested in recruiting high-level employees, you may not need a business website.

  • You have a complete monopoly on the virtual domain

If you're lucky enough to have a business with minimal competition and a product in high demand, having a website probably isn't essential. Your customers need your offer and there are no other options available. Well done! While a new, visually appealing website may impress your spouse and work colleagues, it may not necessarily be necessary to improve your business.

  • You're not planning to sell the company in the near future

The website is becoming increasingly vital for many companies when discussing valuation. This is especially true if your company is a start-up, in the technology sector, or has the capacity to grow without significantly increasing expenditure. The explanation is very simple. Having a successful website that attracts new customers makes your company more successful than if you don't have one. The Internet is a great tool for many companies to get customers at a low cost. Another advantage of the Internet for marketing and sales is its greater measurability. Consider a scenario in which you are in the process of selling your business and you present a graph of your website traffic, along with detailed information about the direct impact of that traffic on your earnings. You're likely to see a strong connection between the two. If I were the buyer, I'd be paying attention and paying attention.
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FAQ

  • Why is it essential to have a website for my business?
A website increases the visibility of your brand, conveys credibility, enables online sales and facilitates communication with clients, among other advantages.

  • What are the main advantages of having a business website?
Among the advantages are: greater reach, 24/7 presence, control over the brand, better access to customers and a platform to present products or services.

  • What are the disadvantages of having a website for my company?
Maintaining a website can be costly and time-consuming, as well as demanding in terms of security, constant updates and optimization to stand out from the competition.

  • Can I have a business website without a developer?
Yes, there are platforms that allow you to create websites simply, but for a more professional and personalised site, having a web developer can be ideal.

  • Does having a website really increase company sales?
Yes, a well-designed and optimized website can make it easier to convert visitors into customers, improve digital marketing and increase sales opportunities.

  • What to consider before creating a company website?
Before creating a website, it is important to assess your target audience, the functionality required, the budget available and the marketing strategy to ensure that the site meets your needs.

  • What are the costs involved in having a company website?
Costs can vary depending on the site's complexity, design, functionality and maintenance. This can include hosting fees, domain and development costs.

  • How do I know if my website is achieving the desired results?
To measure the site's effectiveness, use analysis tools such as Google Analytics to monitor traffic, conversion rates and other important data on user behaviour.

  • Is it possible to maintain a company website simply and cheaply?
Yes, it is possible, especially with website creation tools and platforms that offer ready-made templates. However, it's always good to invest in optimizations over time.
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Summary

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether or not to create a website for your company. However, if you want to increase lead generation, visibility, social proof and authority as part of your business objectives, creating a website is an excellent first step.

With over a decade of experience, Studio.351 has established itself as a top company in the development of digital solutions. We specialise in website creation! Trust our team of experts to help you take your business to the next level!