Is a Website Still Worth It in 2025?
AI chatbots. Social media commerce. Google's zero-click searches. Voice search. With so much changing, is it still worth investing in a website? Here's the honest, data-backed answer.
The Short Answer
Yes, more than ever. 83% of small businesses now have websites (up from 65% in 2018). Search engines still generate 40% of leads. AI doesn't replace websites - it needs them for information. The fundamentals haven't changed, but how we use websites has evolved.
What's Changed in 2025
Let's address the elephant in the room - the digital landscape has shifted:
AI Search (ChatGPT, Perplexity)
People now ask AI for recommendations. But AI sources its information from... websites. Having a website makes you discoverable by AI.
Social Commerce
Instagram and TikTok shops are growing. But they still only account for ~10% of discovery. And you don't own that audience.
Zero-Click Searches
Google answers more queries directly. But business searches ("plumber near me") still drive website visits. Local SEO is more important, not less.
Voice Search
"Hey Siri, find a plumber" queries pull from websites with good local SEO. Voice search increases website importance, not decreases it.
What the Data Says
Let's look at actual numbers, not opinions:
of small businesses have websites
Up from 65% in 2018
of leads come from search engines
vs 10% from social media
of businesses sell via their website
Products, services, or enquiries
of consumers research online first
Before visiting or buying
The Trend is UP, Not Down
Website adoption has increased 18 percentage points since 2018, even as social media and AI have grown. Businesses are adding websites, not abandoning them.
The AI Factor: Will AI Replace Websites?
This is the big question. Here's why the answer is "no":
AI Needs Websites
When you ask ChatGPT or Perplexity "best plumber in Manchester", where does it get that information? From websites. AI models are trained on web content. They cite websites in their answers.
No website = invisible to AI. Having a website increases your chances of being recommended by AI assistants.
How AI Uses Websites
- Sources business information
- Cites websites in recommendations
- Links to websites for more info
- Uses structured data (schema) for accuracy
What This Means for You
- Website = AI discoverability
- Structured data helps AI understand you
- AI recommendations drive website traffic
- No website = missing from AI answers
The ROI Calculation
Let's do the maths:
Simple ROI Formula
Website Cost (Year)
£8 - £500
Average Customer Value
£100 - £1,000
Customers Needed to Break Even
1 - 5
If your website brings in just 1-5 customers per year (through Google, referrals checking you out, or AI recommendations), it's paid for itself. Most businesses get significantly more.
The Cost of NOT Having a Website
How many customers search for your service on Google each month? If even 5% of those would have chosen you but couldn't find you, that's lost revenue. A website that costs £8-50 prevents potentially thousands in lost business.
When a Website ISN'T Worth It
To be fair, there are edge cases:
A Website Might Not Be Essential If:
- You're retiring soon - Winding down with no succession plan
- Business at full capacity forever - Fully booked with a waitlist, no growth interest
- 100% platform-based - Solely Amazon seller, Uber driver, Deliveroo only
But for everyone else? The cost is so low (from £8) that it's almost always worth having one, even if only as a professional "business card" online.
What a 2025 Website Should Be
The fundamentals haven't changed, but execution has evolved:
Mobile-First
60%+ of traffic is mobile. Your site must look and work perfectly on phones. Google ranks mobile experience.
Fast Loading
Under 3 seconds or you lose visitors. Speed affects both user experience and Google rankings.
AI-Optimised
Structured data (schema markup) helps AI understand your business. FAQ sections get featured in AI answers.
Social Integration
Connected to your social profiles. Easy sharing. Consistent branding across platforms.
Conversion-Focused
Clear calls to action. Easy contact. Booking/purchasing as simple as possible.
Local SEO Ready
NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistent. Google Business Profile connected. Local keywords included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is having a website still worth it in 2025?
Yes, more than ever. Despite AI chatbots and social media growth, 83% of small businesses have websites (up from 65% in 2018), and 40% of leads still come from search engines. Your website is your digital real estate that you own and control.
Will AI replace websites?
No. AI chatbots like ChatGPT actually need websites to source information. When people ask AI for business recommendations, it pulls data from websites. Having a well-structured website makes your business more likely to be recommended by AI assistants.
Do websites still matter with Google's zero-click searches?
Yes. While some searches get answered directly in Google, business searches ("plumber near me", "restaurant reviews") still drive significant website traffic. For local businesses especially, your website combined with Google Business Profile remains the primary discovery method.
What's the ROI of a website in 2025?
Excellent. A website costs £8-500/year to run. If your average customer value is £100+, you only need 1-5 new customers per year from your website to see positive ROI. Most businesses get far more than that through search traffic alone.
When is a website NOT worth it?
A website might not be essential if: you're retiring soon, you're at full capacity forever with no interest in growth, or you run a 100% platform-based business (like being solely an Amazon seller). For almost every other business, a website provides value.
What should a 2025 website include?
A modern 2025 website should be: mobile-first (60%+ of traffic is mobile), fast loading (under 3 seconds), AI-optimised with structured data, integrated with social media, and conversion-focused with clear calls to action. The basics haven't changed, but execution matters more.
Future-Proof Your Online Presence
Build a website that works in 2025 and beyond. Fast, mobile-first, AI-optimised - ready for whatever comes next.
From £8 • Mobile-first • AI-optimised • Ready today