Do I need a website if I already have a Facebook page?

Yes. Facebook is useful for engagement and word-of-mouth, but it can't rank in Google Search results for your local area. Customers who find you through Facebook still look you up independently before they hire you - and if there's no website to find, many won't bother. A website and a Facebook page work together; one doesn't replace the other.

How much does a website cost for a small business?

A professional website for a small business typically costs between £300 & £1,500 for a one-off build, depending on the number of pages and features. Ongoing hosting & domain costs run to around £100–£150 per year. That's a fraction of the cost of local advertising and unlike those, a website works indefinitely. Take a look at my website packages starting from £299. Fixed price, no surprises.

Can I just use Google Business Profile instead of a website?

Google Business Profile is valuable and you should set it up - but it's not a substitute for a website. It shows your business in Maps results, but it doesn't let you rank in organic Google Search, explain your services in detail, showcase your work, or capture leads through a contact form. The two work best together.

What about running a business purely on word of mouth?

Word of mouth is brilliant - it's high-trust and costs nothing. But it has a ceiling. Everyone who hears about your business through a friend still checks you out online before they call. If there's nothing to find, the referral goes cold. A website doesn't replace word of mouth. It catches those referrals before they fall through the cracks.

How long does it take to build a small business website?

A standard 5-page website for a local business typically takes around 2 weeks from when you provide your content and approve the design direction. Simpler 3-page sites can be ready in as little as 7 days. The biggest delays are usually waiting on photos and text from clients - so the quicker you can provide those, the faster you'll be live.

Will a website actually get me more customers?

A well-built website can, but only if it's set up properly for SEO and designed to convert visitors into enquiries. A site that looks professional, loads fast, and is indexed by Google can generate consistent leads from people searching for exactly what you offer. It works best alongside reviews, social media, and word of mouth.

Do I need to update my website regularly?

For a basic local business website, no. Once it's live with accurate information, you can leave it running without regular updates. The only things that need updating are your actual business details if they change - things such as opening hours, prices, phone number, etc. That said, adding new customer reviews and photos over time does help with both trust and SEO.

What's the difference between a cheap website and a professional one?

Cheap websites built on DIY platforms like Wix or cut-rate builders like GoDaddy tend to be slow, hard to customise & poorly optimised for search engines. A professionally built website is coded to load fast (which Google rewards), designed to match your brand & set up correctly for SEO from day one. The difference in performance over 2–3 years is significant.

Why Do I Need a Website? The Honest Answer for Small Business Owners

You need a website because it's the only corner of the internet you fully own and control. Unlike Facebook or Google Maps, a website works for your business 24 hours a day — answering questions, building trust with new customers, and helping people find you through Google Search.

Your Business Doesn't Exist Online Without One

Most people check a business online before they call, visit, or buy. If you don't have a website, a significant portion of potential customers will find your competitors instead — or simply decide you don't look professional enough to risk their money on.

A Facebook page or a Google Maps listing is helpful, but neither is a substitute. You don't control those platforms. They can change their algorithm, restrict your reach, or disappear entirely. A website is yours.

It Builds Trust Before You've Said a Word

When someone searches for a plumber, a dog groomer, or a driving instructor, they're making a judgment call quickly. A professional website — with clear pricing, photos of your work, and real customer reviews — does the trust-building before you've even picked up the phone.

Studies consistently show that over 75% of consumers judge a business's credibility based on its website. If your site looks dated or you don't have one at all, the impression you're making is working against you.

A Website Answers Your Customers' Questions While You Sleep

Think about the questions you get asked most often: Where are you based? What areas do you cover? How much do you charge? How long does it take?

A well-built website answers all of these before a customer ever contacts you. That means fewer time-wasting enquiries, better-prepared customers, and more time for you to focus on the actual work. It's the closest thing a small business has to a member of staff who never takes a day off.

Google Can't Send You Customers If It Can't Find You

Google Search is the most powerful free marketing tool ever created — but it only works if you have a website for Google to index. Social media profiles don't rank well for local searches. A dedicated website with proper SEO setup can get you in front of people actively searching for exactly what you offer, in your area, right now.

For a local business, appearing in Google Search results for terms like "plumber in [your town]" or "dog groomer near me" can be the difference between a full diary and an empty one.

Social Media Is Rented Land: Your Website Is Yours

Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are powerful marketing channels, but you don't own your presence there. The platforms control your reach. They can reduce how many of your followers see your posts without warning. They can suspend accounts. Algorithms change constantly.

Your website is permanent. Your content stays there. Your domain is your address on the internet — and unlike any social platform, nobody can take it from you.

It Makes You Look Bigger Than You Are

For a sole trader or small business, a professional website is the single most cost-effective way to compete with larger companies. A well-designed site signals that you're serious, established, and worth trusting — even if you're a one-person operation working from a van.

Customers don't know or care about your company size. What they see is a clean, fast, professional website — and that's enough to put you on equal footing with businesses ten times your size.

It Captures Enquiries You'd Otherwise Miss

Without a website, every potential customer who finds you outside business hours hits a dead end. With a website, your contact form is always live. Customers can send an enquiry at 10pm on a Sunday, and you can respond on Monday morning.

Even a basic contact form captures leads you'd never get otherwise. Higher-end setups: online booking, quote calculators, WhatsApp chat buttons, all provide fantastic ways for your target customers to reach you.

If you're a local business owner in Essex or anywhere in the UK and you've been putting off getting a website — I can help. I build clean, professional websites for tradespeople, service businesses, and local shops. Packages start from £299 with no ongoing contracts.

WhatsApp me for a quick chat — no sales pitch, no obligation.