You've got a Facebook page. Maybe Instagram. A Google Business Profile. You're getting customers through word of mouth.
So do you really need to spend £135+ on a website?
Let's look at the actual data and give you a straight answer.
Quick Answer
Yes, you probably do need a website—but not for the reasons most "experts" tell you.
Even with social media and Google Business Profiles, 81% of consumers still expect businesses to have a website, and you're invisible to local searchers without one.
The Data: What Actually Happens Without a Website
1. You're Invisible to 81% of Local Searchers
According to BrightLocal's Local Consumer Review Survey, 81% of people research online before visiting a business or making a purchase.
When someone searches "plumber near me" or "hair salon in London", guess what happens if you don't have a website?
You don't appear in search results.
Yes, your Google Business Profile might show up in the map pack—but:
- Customers can't learn about your full range of services
- They can't see detailed pricing or packages
- They can't read comprehensive information about your expertise
- They can't find you through informational searches like "how to choose a plumber"
Result: They call your competitor who has a website instead.
2. You Look Less Credible Than Competitors
According to research from Blue Corona, 84% of consumers think a business with a website is more credible than one with only a social media page.
Fair or not, in 2025 a business without a website looks:
- Less established
- Less professional
- Potentially temporary or untrustworthy
- Like they might not be "real"
Your potential customers wonder: "Why don't they have a website? Are they even a legitimate business? Will they be around next year?"
This matters especially for:
- Professional services (solicitors, accountants, financial advisors)
- Home services (builders, electricians)
- High-value purchases (anything over £500)
3. You Can't Rank in Google Search
Social media posts don't appear in Google search results (except in very specific, rare cases).
If someone searches:
- "best electrician in Manchester"
- "wedding photographer testimonials"
- "restaurant with gluten-free menu near me"
- "solicitor for house conveyancing"
They're seeing websites in the search results, not Facebook pages.
According to data from BrightEdge, 53% of all website traffic comes from organic search—that's traffic you're completely missing without a website.
4. You Don't Own Your Platform
Facebook could ban your business page tomorrow. It happens more often than you think—sometimes for unclear reasons, with difficult appeals processes.
Instagram could change its algorithm and kill your reach overnight. (They've done this repeatedly—remember when posts showed in chronological order?)
TikTok could be banned in your country. Legislation changes.
A website is the only platform you truly own.
- No one can delete it without your permission
- Algorithms don't control who sees your content
- Platform policy changes don't affect your visibility
- You control every aspect of the user experience
As the UK Government's guide to digital presence notes, owning your digital assets is crucial for business continuity.
"But I Get All My Customers From Facebook/Instagram!"
Great! That's working now. But here's what you're missing:
The "Research on Website, Buy in Person" Customer
Many customers discover you on social media but then google your business name to:
- Check you're legitimate and established
- See your full service list and detailed offerings
- Find your hours, exact location, and parking info
- Read reviews on multiple platforms
- Check if you serve their area
- See pricing (even rough estimates)
According to Think with Google, 53% of shoppers say they research before buying to ensure they're making the best choice.
If they can't find a proper website, 20-30% of these customers move on to a competitor—especially for:
- Higher-value services (anything over £200)
- Professional services requiring trust
- Home improvement projects
- Health and beauty treatments
The Google Search Customer
A huge portion of customers start their search on Google, not social media:
Emergency services:
- "emergency plumber"
- "24-hour vet"
- "emergency dentist"
Professional services:
Home services:
- "window fitter"
- "bathroom installation"
- "landscape gardener"
Hospitality:
These customers expect to find websites with detailed information. No website = no customer.
The Customer Who Doesn't Use Social Media
Yes, they exist! Especially:
Older demographics (50+):
- Control significant purchasing power
- Often need trades, professional services, home improvements
- Prefer Google to Facebook for finding services
Professional/B2B customers:
- Looking for consultants, accountants, professional services
- Expect business websites as standard
- Won't take you seriously without one
Privacy-conscious users:
- Deleted social media or never joined
- Use search engines and direct recommendations
- Growing demographic
When You Genuinely DON'T Need a Website
To be fair, some businesses can succeed without a website:
✅ You're a Tradesperson at Capacity
You don't need a website if:
- You only want word-of-mouth referral work
- You're already fully booked
- You're happy with your current customer volume
- You don't want to grow
Reality: This is maybe 5% of tradespeople. Most want to grow or at least maintain steady work.
✅ You Sell Exclusively Through Marketplaces
You might not need your own website if:
- You're an Etsy-only seller
- You do Amazon FBA exclusively
- You sell only through eBay
- You're a vendor on established platforms
However: Having your own website still helps with:
- Building email lists for repeat customers
- Directing traffic you control
- Higher margins (no platform fees)
- Brand building
✅ You're a Local Market Stall or Cash Business
You might not need a website if:
- All customers are walk-ins at a physical location
- You're a market trader
- You're a cash-only local business with no appointment system
However: Even market traders benefit from showing products online, sharing location schedules, and building email lists.
✅ Your Entire Customer Base Is on One Platform
You might not need a website if:
- You're a tattoo artist with all clients from Instagram
- You're a local service with all clients from community Facebook groups
- Your business model is platform-specific
However: This is risky long-term due to algorithm changes and platform dependency.
Bottom line: That's maybe 10-15% of small businesses. The other 85-90% benefit significantly from having a website.
What About Google Business Profile? Isn't That Enough?
Google Business Profile is excellent—but not a replacement for a website.
What Google Business Profile Gives You:
- ✅ Appearance in local map pack
- ✅ Basic business information
- ✅ Customer reviews
- ✅ Photos
- ✅ Posts and updates
- ✅ Messages from customers
What's Missing:
- ❌ Can't explain services in detail - Limited character counts
- ❌ Very limited customization - Everyone's profile looks similar
- ❌ No blog/content for SEO - Can't target long-tail keywords
- ❌ Can't collect email addresses - No lead generation
- ❌ Can't showcase portfolio extensively - Limited photo organization
- ❌ Harder to stand out - Competitors look identical
- ❌ Can't tell your story - No "About" page with your journey
- ❌ Limited conversion optimization - Can't A/B test, add forms, etc.
Best practice: Use Google Business Profile AND a website together. They complement each other.
According to Moz's Local Search Ranking Factors, having both a Google Business Profile and a well-optimized website is crucial for local SEO success.
What About Social Media? Why Not Just Use That?
Social media is fantastic for engagement and brand awareness.
But it's terrible for:
❌ Being Found in Google Search
Problem: Posts don't rank in Google (except rare exceptions)
Impact: You're invisible to the 68% of online experiences that begin with a search engine
Example: Someone searches "plumber in Birmingham"—they won't find your Facebook posts, only websites
❌ Detailed Information
Problem: Try explaining your 10 services, pricing structure, service areas, and qualifications in an Instagram bio
Impact: Customers can't find the information they need to book you
Example: Restaurants can't fit full menus, opening hours for each day, allergen info, and booking details in social bios
❌ Professional Credibility
Problem: Social pages feel less official than dedicated websites
Impact: Customers question your legitimacy, especially for high-value services
Example: Would you hire a solicitor who only has a Facebook page?
❌ Long-Term Content
Problem: Your post from last year is buried and unfindable
Impact: Valuable content disappears, customers can't find your expertise
Example: Your detailed guide on "choosing a builder" is lost in your feed after a week
❌ Platform Security
Problem: You don't own the platform—they can delete you
Impact: Years of content and customer connections gone overnight
Example: Facebook bans happen for unclear reasons with difficult appeal processes
❌ Algorithm Dependency
Problem: Platforms control who sees your content
Impact: Only 1-5% of your followers see each post organically
Example: Instagram shows your posts to ~2% of followers unless you pay for ads
Best practice: Use social media to engage customers, use your website to convert them.
The Real ROI of a Website
Let's do simple math:
Website cost: £135 one-time + £9.99/month hosting = £255 first year
If your average customer is worth £200, you need just 2 customers from your website in year one to break even.
For most businesses, that's:
- 1-2 emergency call-outs (plumber, electrician)
- 2-3 new clients (accountant, solicitor, consultant)
- 2-4 bookings (hair salon, beauty salon)
- 1 project (builder, landscaper)
Most small business websites generate far more than 2 customers per year if properly set up.
See our transparent pricing and how it works.
What Makes a Website "Worth It"
Not all websites are equal. A £3,000 website that looks pretty but doesn't generate customers is a waste.
Your website needs:
✅ Clear Information About Your Services
- What you offer
- Who you serve
- Where you operate
- What makes you different
Bad example: Vague "quality service" claims
Good example: "24-hour emergency plumber covering Zones 1-4, Gas Safe registered, fixed-rate call-outs"
✅ Easy Contact Method
- Phone number visible on every page (click-to-call on mobile)
- Working contact form (tested and connected)
- Business hours clearly stated
- Response time expectations
According to Google's Mobile Playbook, 61% of mobile users are unlikely to return to a site they had trouble accessing, and 40% visit a competitor's site instead.
✅ Mobile-Friendly Design
- Looks perfect on phones and tablets
- Tap targets are large enough
- Text is readable without zooming
- No horizontal scrolling
Why: Over 60% of searches now happen on mobile devices.
✅ Fast Loading
- Under 3 seconds to load
- Optimized images
- Minimal unnecessary features
Why: Google data shows 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take over 3 seconds.
✅ Local SEO Setup
- Page titles include location and service
- Google Business Profile linked
- Address and contact info consistent
- Service areas clearly defined
Why: Helps you appear in "[service] near me" searches.
✅ Social Proof
- Customer testimonials
- Reviews (Google, Trustpilot, etc.)
- Before/after photos
- Case studies or project examples
Why: BrightLocal research shows 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses.
A simple 4-page website with these elements will outperform a flashy 20-page site that's slow and confusing.
Bottom Line: Do You Need a Website?
Yes, you need a website in 2025—unless you're truly happy turning away 30-50% of potential customers who expect to find you online.
The question isn't "do I need a website?"
It's "how do I get a website that's worth the investment?"
You need a website if:
- ✅ You want to appear in Google searches
- ✅ You want customers to find detailed information about your services
- ✅ You want to look credible and established
- ✅ You want a platform you actually own
- ✅ You're not at full capacity and want more customers
- ✅ You serve any customers who use Google (which is everyone)
You might not need a website if:
- ❌ You're already at full capacity and turning work away
- ❌ You genuinely never want to grow
- ❌ 100% of your customers come from in-person referrals and you're happy with that forever
- ❌ You sell exclusively on established marketplaces and never plan to expand
That second list applies to maybe 10% of businesses. The other 90% need websites.
How to Get Started
Step 1: Set Your Budget
Realistic budget for UK small business: £100-£2,500 one-time + £10-£30/month ongoing
See our detailed pricing guide for what to expect.
Step 2: Choose Your Approach
DIY (£10-£40/month):
- Good if you have 20+ hours and tech skills
- Wix, Squarespace, etc.
- You build and maintain everything
Professional Service (£100-£2,500):
- Good for most small businesses
- Professional results without premium pricing
- See our service: £135 all-in, 10-day delivery
Premium Agency (£5,000+):
- Good for large businesses or complex needs
- Full custom design, copywriting, photography
- Longer timelines (2-6 months)
Step 3: Ensure It Has Essential Features
Minimum requirements:
- Mobile-responsive
- Fast loading (under 3 seconds)
- Clear contact information
- Service/product details
- Basic SEO setup
- You own everything
Step 4: Maintain It
After launch:
- Keep content updated (hours, services, pricing)
- Respond to customer inquiries promptly
- Add customer reviews regularly
- Keep software/plugins updated
- Add new content (blog, projects, etc.)
Real Business Owner Concerns
"I'm not tech-savvy—can I manage a website?"
Answer: Yes. Modern websites (especially WordPress) are as easy as Microsoft Word for basic updates.
Plus, many services (including ours) handle technical maintenance for you—you just update text and photos.
"Won't it take ages to set up?"
Answer: Not anymore. Professional services now deliver in:
- 5-10 working days for template-based sites
- 2-6 weeks for fully custom designs
Our 10-day delivery guarantee means you're online fast.
"What if I don't get any customers from it?"
Answer: A properly optimized website should generate customers within 2-3 months.
If it doesn't, you likely need:
- Better local SEO (targeting "near me" searches)
- Clearer service descriptions
- More obvious calls-to-action
- Customer reviews added
- Google Business Profile optimization
Most businesses see ROI within 3-6 months.
"Can't I just wait and see if I grow first?"
Answer: You're less likely to grow WITHOUT a website.
It's a chicken-and-egg problem—customers expect websites, so without one you grow slower, so you think you don't need one... but you're growing slower BECAUSE you don't have one.
£135 is a small investment to test this properly.
Ready to Get Your Website?
Stop losing customers to competitors with websites.
Option 1: Learn More
Option 2: Get Started Today
£135 total for a complete 4-page website:
- 3 custom designs to choose from
- Domain included (up to £15 value)
- Hosting £9.99/month (security included)
- Delivered in 10 working days
- One revision round included
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