Top 10 Client Excuses for Not Needing a Website

Top 10 Client Excuses for Not Needing a Website in 2023

And what’s your excuse for not having your business website yet? Some things never change. About 20 years ago, I first heard the statistic that only half of small business owners had business websites (which wasn’t too bad for the beginning of the century).

According to the portal Blue Corona, around 50% of small businesses have invested in their website, while Fits Small Business reports 71% in 2023.

Twenty years ago, setting up a website was expensive – which was the main excuse entrepreneurs used for not having one. But even today, Blue Corona says that 30% of business owners who don’t have websites cite cost as the reason. That simply isn’t true. As explained in PC Magazine’s 10 Best Website Builders for 2018, it only costs about $10 per month (or about $25 if you’re selling products) to create a unique, attractive website. Furthermore, there are plenty of options to build a website with no technical experience, requiring just a few hours of your time.

So if cost isn’t your excuse, what is? Many business owners claim they don’t need a website because they’re “on Facebook” (or Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram).

While having a presence on social media is important for a business, relying solely on social media as a substitute for a website is a mistake. For small businesses, the primary purpose of social media is marketing and driving consumers to your website.

Why Do You Need a Website?

Among many reasons why a website is essential for a small business, control is perhaps the most important. Your website belongs to you, whether you build it yourself or hire web design experts to create it. You choose the design, create the content, and set the goals.

Social media, on the other hand, is controlled by others (something no entrepreneur should support). And since social media platforms constantly change their rules and algorithms, you’re at their mercy.

Recently, you’ve likely heard about celebrities deleting their Snapchat and Facebook accounts. This can create a domino effect, leading others to delete their accounts and even damaging the reputation of social media platforms, which could harm your business.

Also, keep in mind that no social media platform will last forever. MySpace was the largest social network between 2004 and 2010, but now it’s just a memory for most.

Lastly, not all consumers/clients use social media. Those who do can be fickle — leaving platforms you’ve carefully nurtured on a whim. Even heavy social media users often don’t want to hear “sales pitches” or interact with businesses; they just want to chat with their friends and family.

What Do Consumers Want?

The days of the “Wild West” on the World Wide Web are long gone. In the 21st century, your customers have far different expectations. Millennials and Generation Z, the generation that follows, are digital natives. They expect businesses to have websites, and those websites should be mobile-optimized.

Why is this important? Well, according to Bazaar Voice, millennials have the greatest consumer power of any generation in history – so ignore their desires at your own peril.

About two-thirds (63%) of consumers turn to the internet when looking for local businesses, according to the Local Search Association. If consumers search for your business online before deciding to buy from you but can’t find a website, many will doubt your reliability.

Without a website, your sales will suffer. On most social media platforms, consumers cannot make purchases directly — they have to go to your website, so it’s better to have one!

Ready, Set, Domain Name

There’s no excuse for not having a business website – not when it’s easier and more affordable than ever to create one. Think of your website as the storefront for your business, and everything you do to promote your business (social media marketing, search engine optimization, content marketing, and online advertising) as spokes. Together, they form a powerful tool that builds awareness, attracts new clients, and drives your business growth.