The answer every small business owner needs

Do You Need a Website for
Your Small Business?
Yes. Here's Why.

76% of consumers look up a business online before visiting or calling. Without a website, you're invisible to most of your potential customers — and handing them straight to your competitors.

Get online today — from £29/year
76% research online before buying
Website works 24/7 — you don't have to
Ready in 60 seconds with ChilledSites
From £29/year — less than 8p a day

Why Small Businesses Skip a Website

These are the most common reasons — and why none of them hold up in 2026.

"It's too expensive"

Agencies charge £3,000–10,000. That's where this idea comes from. But AI-built websites now cost as little as £29/year — less than your monthly Spotify subscription.

"It's too complicated"

It used to be. Now you describe your business in one sentence and AI builds the entire site. No coding, no design skills, no technical knowledge required.

"I don't have time"

Traditional website builds take weeks. An AI website builder generates a complete, professional site in under 60 seconds. You genuinely don't need time — just a description.

"I already have a Facebook page"

Facebook is a rented platform. You don't control it, you don't own it, and their algorithm decides who sees you. A website is an asset you own — it works on Google, not just Facebook.

"I'm already on Google"

Google My Business gets you on the map. It doesn't help you rank for search terms, explain your services, collect leads, or build trust. You need both — and they work better together.

"Word of mouth is enough"

Word of mouth is great — until your referred customer searches for you and finds nothing. A website validates the referral and closes the deal before they second-guess it.

What You're Missing Without a Website

Every day without a website is a day your competitors are capturing customers who were looking for exactly what you offer.

Local SEO Rankings

When someone searches "plumber in Manchester" or "bakery near me", Google ranks websites — not Facebook profiles. Without a website, you simply don't exist in those results.

Instant Credibility

75% of consumers judge a company's credibility by its website. If a potential customer finds no website, they assume you're either too small to take seriously or out of business.

24/7 Lead Capture

Your website works while you sleep. A contact form, quote request, or booking link means you wake up to enquiries rather than chasing them. You can't do that with a phone number alone.

Google Ranking Power

Each page on your website is an opportunity to rank for a search term. A plumber with a website has "emergency boiler repair", "bathroom installation", and "gas safety certificate" all indexed on Google. Without one, you have none.

Control of Your Story

Social profiles are stripped back. A website lets you show your work, share testimonials, explain your process, and give customers everything they need to choose you — before they even pick up the phone.

A Platform You Own

Facebook can change its algorithm. Instagram can restrict reach. Google My Business can suspend your listing. A website is yours — it can't be taken away, throttled, or hidden by a third party.

Small Business Website Costs Compared

The "websites are expensive" idea comes from an older world. Here's what each route actually costs in 2026.

Web Agency
£3–10k upfront

Plus £100–300/year for hosting and maintenance. Updates cost extra.

  • Professional bespoke design
  • Tailored to your brief
  • Large upfront investment
  • Weeks to months to launch
  • Dependent on agency for updates
DIY Builder (Wix / Squarespace)
£500+ / year

When you add business plan, custom domain, and remove ads. Hours of your own time not included.

  • No coding required
  • Template variety
  • Takes hours or days to build
  • Pricing hides at checkout
  • Generic template look

What Your Website Does Every Single Day

While you're working, sleeping, or on holiday — your website is out there doing this.

Appearing in Google searches

Every time someone searches for what you do in your area, your site has a shot at showing up.

Answering customer questions

Prices, services, opening hours, location — all answered without you picking up the phone.

Collecting enquiries

A contact form captures leads at midnight on a Sunday. Your competitors without a website miss them entirely.

Building trust automatically

Reviews, testimonials, case studies, and professional design do the trust-building before you've said a word.

Converting browsers into buyers

A clear call-to-action turns curious visitors into paying customers — even when you're not available to follow up.

Validating word-of-mouth referrals

When someone recommends you and the recipient Googles your name, a real website turns a referral into a confirmed booking.

Even If You Have Google My Business, You Need a Website Too

GMB and a website are not the same thing. They do different jobs — and you need both.

Google My Business

Shows you on the map

  • Appears in local map pack searches
  • Shows address, hours, and phone number
  • Collects and displays reviews
  • Cannot rank for informational searches
  • No space to explain services in depth
  • Can be suspended without warning
  • No contact form or lead capture
Your Website

Builds your online presence

  • Ranks for dozens of search terms
  • Explains every service in full detail
  • Captures leads with contact forms
  • Works 24/7 without you
  • Builds trust with testimonials and case studies
  • Also boosts your GMB ranking
  • You own it — no platform can remove it

A well-linked website actually helps your Google My Business rank higher. They're stronger together — and GMB alone is not enough.

Get online today

Your small business website. Built in 60 seconds.

Describe your business in one sentence. ChilledSites AI builds the full website — mobile-first, SEO-ready, with hosting and a custom domain included. From £29/year.

Build my website now

Frequently Asked

Do I need a website if I already have a Facebook page?
Yes — and this is one of the most common misconceptions. Facebook controls your reach and can change its algorithm at any time. You don't own your Facebook page; you rent space on someone else's platform. A website is an asset you own. It appears on Google, not just inside Facebook, and can't be taken away by a platform change or policy update.
Do I need a website if I already have Google My Business?
Yes. Google My Business is essential, but it's not a website replacement. GMB puts you on the local map — a website lets you rank for search terms, explain your services in depth, collect enquiries via a contact form, and build trust with visitors before they contact you. Having both makes each one work better.
How much does a small business website cost?
Costs vary widely. A web agency charges £3,000–10,000 upfront. DIY tools like Wix or Squarespace cost £500+ per year once you add hosting and domain. ChilledSites offers the most affordable route: a complete AI-generated website with custom domain, hosting, forms, and analytics included from just £29/year — that's less than 8p a day.
Will a website help my small business get more customers?
Yes. A website helps you rank on Google for local searches, gives you a platform to collect enquiries at any hour, and builds credibility with potential customers who'd otherwise choose a competitor who looks more established online. 75% of consumers judge a business's credibility by its website — not having one is actively costing you business.
How long does it take to get a small business website live?
With ChilledSites, you can generate a complete website in under 60 seconds, connect your own domain, and go live the same day. Traditional builders take hours or days to design manually. Agencies take weeks to months. If you're ready to stop waiting, you can be live before lunch today.

Related reading

Stop being invisible online

Your customers are searching right now. Get a professional website live today for less than the cost of a single Facebook ad.

Build my small business website

Custom domain + hosting + forms + analytics included. From £29/year.