The Short Answer
- Yes, you probably need one — 81% of customers research a business online before visiting (Google Consumer Insights, 2024).
- Facebook isn't enough — you don't own the page, can't customise it, and most search traffic doesn't find it.
- Google Business Profile is essential but not sufficient — it works alongside a website, not instead of one.
- A simple 1–3 page site is plenty for most service businesses, trades, restaurants, and professionals.
- Cost in 2026: £9–50/month for DIY/AI builders, £500–£3,000 one-off for a freelancer.
Table of Contents
The Real Question Isn't "Do I Need One"
The real question is: are you losing customers because you don't have one?
Most small business owners we talk to know they probably should have a website. They've put it off because the last quote they got was £3,000, or because they tried Wix five years ago and gave up after an evening. The cost has dropped dramatically since then — but the cost of not having one has gone up.
Here's what changed: when someone is recommended your business by a friend, or sees your van, or finds you in a directory, the first thing they do is Google your name. If nothing comes up — or if all they find is a half-finished Yelp listing — a percentage of them quietly move on to your competitor who does have a website. You never know it happened.
When You Definitely Need a Website
For these business types, going without a website costs you real money:
Trades and home services (plumber, electrician, builder, cleaner)
People searching "plumber near me" or "emergency electrician [town]" expect to land on a website. A site with your service area, phone number, photos of past work, and a few reviews converts better than a Google Business Profile alone.
Professional services (accountant, lawyer, consultant, coach)
Trust matters more than anything in this sector. A clean website with your bio, qualifications, services and case studies is the bare minimum to be taken seriously by anyone over a certain budget.
Restaurants, cafés, bars
People want to see your menu, opening hours, and recent photos before deciding where to eat. A bad website (or no website) costs you cover. Customers will literally pick the place next door because its menu was easier to find.
Anyone selling appointments or bookings
If your service involves booking a slot — therapy, hairdressing, dog grooming, driving lessons — you need a website that takes bookings 24/7. Customers don't want to call during your business hours just to schedule.
Anyone selling products online
Obvious one, but worth saying: if you want to sell to people who aren't physically near you, you need a website. Marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon take a 15–20% cut on every sale and don't let you build a brand or a customer list.
When You Might Get Away Without One
There's a small group of businesses where a website genuinely isn't urgent:
You're booked solid by referrals
If you have more work than you can handle and every job comes from word-of-mouth, you might not need a website yet. But the moment that pipeline slows down, you'll wish you had one ready. Build it before you need it.
You sell exclusively on a marketplace
If 100% of your sales go through Etsy, Amazon, eBay, or Vinted, the marketplace listing acts as your shopfront. The trade-off is you're entirely dependent on that platform's rules and fees.
You're hyper-local and visible
A market stall with a steady weekly crowd, a corner shop, a single-location food truck with regulars — these can sometimes operate fine without a website, especially if they're easy to find on Google Maps.
Even in these cases, having a basic 1-page site is cheap insurance. It costs less per month than a couple of coffees and means you're discoverable when someone Googles your name.
Why Facebook and Google Business Profile Aren't Enough
Facebook Page
A Facebook page is useful for community and updates, but it's not a substitute for a website. Three reasons:
- You don't own it. Facebook can change its algorithm, suspend your page, or charge you to reach your own followers. Your website is yours forever.
- It doesn't rank well on Google. Most local searches show websites and Google Business Profiles, not Facebook pages.
- It's hard to look professional. You can't customise the layout. Every Facebook page looks like every other Facebook page.
Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is essential. It shows your business on Google Maps and in local search results with hours, photos, reviews and a phone number. Every small business should claim and complete one.
But it's not a website. The space to explain what makes you different is tiny. There's no place for case studies, longer service descriptions, FAQs, or a real booking flow. Use Google Business Profile and a simple website together — they reinforce each other.
What a Basic Small Business Website Actually Needs
A small business website doesn't need 20 pages. Most successful ones have just three:
- Homepage — what you do, who you do it for, where you operate, and a clear way to contact you. This is 80% of the value.
- Services or Menu page — a clear list of what you offer with prices (or "from £X" if pricing varies). Vagueness costs you customers.
- Contact page — phone, email, contact form, address if you have a physical location, opening hours.
Optional extras that help: a portfolio or case studies page (especially for trades and creative services), a reviews section, and a simple about page if your story is part of why customers pick you.
For a deeper checklist, see what should be on a small business website.
What It Costs and How Long It Takes
The cost-and-time question is what stops most owners from getting started. Here's the honest 2026 picture:
| Approach | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI builder (e.g. ChilledSites) | £9–18/month, all included | 1–2 hours total | Owners who want it done this week |
| DIY platform (Wix, Squarespace) | £14–35/month + add-ons | 1 weekend, often longer | People who like fiddling with design |
| Freelancer | £500–£3,000 one-off | 2–6 weeks | Specific custom requirements |
| Web design agency | £3,000–£20,000+ | 6–16 weeks | Larger budgets, brand-led projects |
For most small businesses, the AI builder route gets you 90% of what an agency would deliver, in 5% of the time, at 1% of the cost. The trade-off is less hand-holding and slightly less custom design. If you're a one-person plumber, electrician, or coach, the trade-off is almost always worth it.
For a deeper price comparison see how much an AI website actually costs or should I build it myself or hire someone.
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