One misconception I am seeing more and more is that you should get rid of your website entirely (or not build one at all!) because:
- They’re unnecessary: AI searching is replacing traditional browser-based searches, giving people information without having to click on websites
- They’re outdated: Some (usually those in social media marketing) believe that websites are outdated, insisting that “social profiles are the new websites”
Here’s the truth: The above can be true AND you still need and want a website for your services, and here’s 3 reasons why.
Reason #1: A website is the corner of the internet you control
Unless you’re doing very shady shit, your website will remain yours and live for as long as you pay your domain registration and hosting fees. And unlike social media, you can’t be “cancelled” or kicked off for what you put on your site.
But even more importantly, your website is the one place online where you get to talk about your business and your services in the way that suits you. For example, you get to feature:
- Your services
- Your prices (or not!)
- Your team
- Your mission statement, purpose, or charity work
- Your compelling story
- Your case studies, testimonials, and other proof
- Your worldview and approach to how you do business
Reason #2: A website is your place to do business on your terms
A website, especially one hosted on an open-source platform like WordPress, is designed to be the foundation on which you build your business. You can host your CRM, run your project management, schedule appointments, sell products and services, host a membership, and more all from one platform. How it looks, how it feels, and how it runs is completely up to you, free of Big Tech interference.
(BONUS: You can build accessibility into your website, ensuring that your site is friendly for EVERYONE who would want to buy from you.)
Reason #3: A website is your place to point people to that will build name recognition for decades
Think of your website like your digital storefront. As long as someone can access the internet on their phone, tablet, or computer, they can see your website, learn more about how you help, and take the next step with you. And they can do this 24/7/365, on their own terms, until they’ve seen enough about how you work that they’re ready to buy now.
So if you answer a question all the time… you can put it on your FAQ page.
If you get interviewed… put it on your Media page.
If you are running a special… yep… put it on your website somewhere.
My verdict?
My verdict is that websites still serve an incredibly important function for small businesses, especially because you get to control exactly how your business is presented, what software you do/don’t run, and how a customer interacts with your business.
What did I miss? Let me know!
