Businesses that need a website
It seems like everyone and their mother has a website these days. But which small businesses even need websites? Well, in this article we’ll go over small businesses that websites and how to get started. Keep reading!
Why businesses needs websites
So, why do businesses have websites anyways? And why should they?
Because, well, it’s 2024. People expect it!
According to Forbes, 71% of businesses have a website. These days, people want to check out a business’s website to scope out their products, read reviews, or simply get a feel for their brand. So, having a killer website isn't just a nice-to-have anymore—it's practically a must if you want to make a good impression and connect with potential customers.
After all, you gotta meet people where they're looking, right?
Social proof
Another reason your business needs a website is because it makes you look more credible. In fact, a whopping 84% of people believe that a business with a website is more credible than one without a website.
Think about it — when potential customers stumble upon your site, what do they see? Reviews, testimonials, and maybe even some case studies showing off your work. When people see this, it builds trust and confidence.
You’re not just saying you know what you’re talking about, you’re proving it with your content.
So, having a website stacked with social proof isn't just a bonus—it's a powerful way to win over skeptical people (who, by the way, have a right to be skeptical with what they spend their hard earned money on!).
Connect with your audience (with search traffic)
Another reason your business needs a website is because it's one of the best ways to get discovered online. Social media is great, but the reality is that 93% of global traffic is driven by Google. 93%!!!
Think of the opportunity this gives you to connect with your audience! When someone types a question into Google, you’ll want your website to pop up with the perfect answer. And having a website optimized for search engines means you're more likely to show up when people are looking for what you offer. So, if you want to reach a broader audience, a website is a must.
Get leads while you sleep
Do you want a 24/7 salesman working for you?
Well… then you need a website.
At literally any time of the day, someone might stumble upon your site, like what they see, and decide to fill out your contact form. Voila! The upfront work it takes to build your website can pay dividends for your business. So, if you want to grow your business even when you're not working, a website is the way to go.
Businesses that need a website
Photographers
A lot of photographers use social media over using websites to get clients for businesses. It makes sense, a lot of social media platforms are image-based making it seem like it’s the best place to focus their efforts on. But here’s the thing, so many people look for photography services through a Google search. So if you’re not online to show up in that Google search, you’re missing out on a ton of clients! You can create a website full of your work samples, your services, and testimonials from past clients. Time to get a website!
Virtual assistants
If you’re a virtual assistant, a website can do wonders for your business. Think about it — so many frustrated business owners are searching on Google looking for advice on productivity and how to manage their small businesses better. What if you met them while searching with blogs that answer their questions and present yourself as the solution? You’d start seeing potential clients come to you, not the other way around.
Coaches
If you’re a coach, there’s one major thing you need to do to get clients — prove that you know more about a topic than your potential clients. But how can you prove that to them without explaining your full story? That’s where your website comes in. You can highlight your whole journey on your website, why you’re an expert, and how you can help.
Course creators
Similar to coaches, course creators need to be able to demonstrate that they’re experts on a topic. A website that explains your qualifications, story, and even some advice in the form of blogs can give your potential clients the assurance they need that your courses are ACTUALLY going to help them.
Local businesses
A lot of local businesses rely on word-of-mouth and “best of” lists on sites like Yelp to attract clients and customers. But here’s the thing, so many people search for local services and products online, and if your business doesn’t have a website, you’re missing out on a ton of potential customers.
See, a SEO-optimized website ranks better in organic local searches, like when people search a term like “dermatologist in new york,” in both regular search and Google Maps. If you rank higher for those local search terms, more people will find your business when they are actively looking for what you offer.
And even if potential clients and customers don’t find you online, chances are they’ll still check out your online presence to see if you’re a fit, as when deciding if they want to work with a business, roughly 76% of people look at local business websites at least half of the time.
Here are a few (but not all) local businesses that can benefit from having a website:
Dentists
Doctors
Electricians
Lawyers
Dry Cleaners
Car repair shops
Handymen
Landscapers
And more!
Freelancers
Freelancers often depend on sites like Fiverr and Upwork to find clients. While a few find success on those platforms, they have to deal with the whims of frustrating algorithms that often penalize you for taking longer breaks. With a website (and a little blogging) you can have more clients come to you when they find your content.
Authors
These days, a lot of authors need to do their own marketing for their books. So, naturally some believe that social media is the way to go in this. While social media is a great way to connect with your audience, a website can also show off your credentials and knowledge on the topic of your book so new readers can discover your book.
Therapists
People often Google how to fix their problems online. Therapists need a website to connect with those searching for help. A website provides essential info about your services, your credentials, and offers easy appointment booking. It can help you build trust and make it simple for potential clients to work with you.
Accountants
There are a lot of people who try to DIY their taxes come tax season, realize it can be more complicated than they realized, and look for help. You can prove you can provide that help with your website.
Artists
Artists need a website to show off their work and sell their creations. It's also a perfect place to share the story behind the art, which can be just as valuable as the art itself. A website makes it easy for fans to explore your portfolio, learn about your creative journey, and purchase your work directly.
Musicians
Similar to artists, people want to know their favorite musician’s story. Musicians need a website to showcase their music and share your journey. It's a perfect platform to sell merch and concert tickets.
Real estate agents
A website makes it easy for potential buyers and sellers to find and contact you, as it makes you more visible online. It also demonstrates your credibility and allows you to provide detailed property information, client testimonials, market insights, and more.
Bloggers
Plenty of talented bloggers grow their audiences on platforms like Medium or Linkedin. However, your own website gives you complete control over your brand. It allows you to monetize through ads, affiliate marketing, or products, build a loyal readership, and grow your email list. The great thing is that many of these blogging platforms allow you to post on both your own website and their platform, so you don’t have to choose between one or the other if you don’t want to.
E-commerce businesses
Many e-commerce businesses rely on sites like Amazon and Etsy to reach new customers. And while there isn’t anything wrong with that, those platforms take a percentage of your earnings and have algorithms that push you up and down on search results. It’s better to have more control over your audience with your own website, where you keep your earnings and can use it to grow your email list, where you don’t have to depend on any algorithm.
Podcasts
A podcast website is a great way to attract new listeners interested in the topics you talk about in your podcast through SEO. And a website allows you to connect with your audience beyond the podcast, like through an email list that you can promote on your site. This is important if you ever want to expand what you put out, like if you create a product or write a book.
Speakers
Speakers need websites to establish credibility. It's a platform to explain your story, highlight your expertise, and show off past events. A website also makes it easy for event organizers to contact you with opportunities, so you never miss a chance to book more speaking engagements.
Agencies
Agencies need websites to show off their portfolios and highlight their expertise. It's a place to showcase case studies of your work with past clients, and demonstrate that your services work. A website also allows you to clearly explain your services, making it easy for potential clients to understand what you offer and how you can help them.
Designers
If you’re a designer, you need a business website. Not only can you show off your past work and client testimonials, but you can also show off your design talent with your own website!
How to start a website
While your business needs a website, a bad website isn’t going to do you any favors. People form their opinions quickly, and in fact, It takes about 0.05 seconds for users to form an opinion about your website which will determine whether they’ll stay or leave. So, it’s important to do it right.
Follow these steps and you’ll be in good shape.
Find a website service
Begin by choosing a website service provider that suits your needs. You can host your site on WordPress, or use platforms like Squarespace or Showit which offer user-friendly interfaces to build your site without needing coding skills.
Purchase a domain
Now it’s time to purchase a domain from a domain registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap. Ideally, the domain should be your business name if it’s not taken. After you purchase the domain, connect it to your website. Your domain registrar should have instructions on how to connect the domain to your hosting service.
Buy a website template (or hire a designer)
A well-designed website is crucial for you to look like a serious business online. The good news is that you have a lot of ways to do this. You can purchase website templates from businesses like Tonic or Big Cat Creative, or you can hire a designer for a custom design.
Write your copy (or hire a copywriter)
Your message is possibly the most important of your website (although, I might be partial to this since I’m a copywriter). You need compelling website copy that clearly communicates your brand, offers, and values. If writing isn't your forte, consider hiring a professional copywriter to create copy that resonates with your audience.
What should be on your small business website
The needs of your small business really depend on, well, your small business. But, there are a few things just about every small business can benefit from having on their website. Here are the main five pages to a simple website.
Homepage: Your homepage is your chance to make a great first impression and guide visitors to the most important parts of your site. Think of it as the hub that connects all your key pages. Check out this blog for tips on how to write a homepage.
About page: Share your story and build trust by letting visitors know who you are and what you stand for. This is your chance to humanize your brand and make a personal connection. Check out this blog for tips on how to write an about page.
Service/product page: Showcase what you offer with detailed descriptions, benefits, and features. This page helps potential customers understand what you do and why they should not only choose only you, but your offer too. Check out this blog for tips on how to write a service/product.
Contact page: Make it easy for people to get in touch with you by providing clear contact details and a simple form. Check out this blog for tips on how to write a contact page.
Blog: By regularly publishing relevant, informative content related to your industry or niche you’ll begin to attract organic traffic and establish your brand as an authority in your field. Check out this blog for tips on how to write a blog post.
While these pages are the main ones that businesses need, there are other pages you can benefit from depending on your business. Check out this blog post on the top web pages businesses have.
Need help writing your website?
Creating a great website is important for any small business looking to stand out online. If you’re feeling stuck with the writing part, why not get some help? Check out my website copywriting services where I can help you create each page.
‘Till next time!
