From a practical standpoint, the answer is yes, you need a website.

Here are a few reasons why:

1. A website is your “internet Storefront or Showroom” where potential customers or patients can get to know, like, and trust you.  The fact that you have a website indicates some stability in your business. Businesses with quality websites attract more customers or patients.
2. Your website is the only thing on the Internet that is truly “Yours.”  Your Google page is there at the whim of Google, and your Social media accounts are at the mercy of those platforms, too. Providers can change policies anytime they choose, and you have no recourse but to agree if you want to continue using the platform. Once you have a website, you can make and keep it “yours” 
3. Your website is custom-tailored in appearance and content to YOUR needs and wishes, you are not restricted by the format and content restrictions of Google or the other Internet players. 
4. If and when you ever decide to sell your business, your website is an asset that, if it is bringing in new customers, can add substantial value to the business, increasing its sale price and attractiveness to a potential buyer.
5. While the initial cost of a website may seem high, if properly designed and implemented, the return on that investment in new customers, clients, or patients will only grow, and the only ongoing expense is hosting and maintenance, which is negligible.

Now that you understand the importance of a website to your business, what are your options?

1. You can build your own, by either securing hosting from a hosting provider, or going with a provider like Wix, Squarespace, WordPress.com, or some other provider/site builder. You will need to select and purchase a domain name. You will need some technical skills, some design savvy, and some time to climb the learning curve. You will be at the mercy of those platforms and be restricted by their policies, too.
2. Another option is hiring a relative, friend, or employee to build your website. This is a terrible idea on so many levels! There is no assurance it will ever function correctly or be secure and up to date. You have little recourse if the project turns into a disaster.
3. Finally, you can hire professionals to build your website. A pro can transform your vision into reality quickly (depending on the complexity,) and efficiently. Your website will have the latest technology, implemented correctly and securely, so you can be assured it will function the way you expect it to for years to come. Your website will look good on all devices – phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. And you can be certain that it can be easily maintained and kept up to date. Most importantly, a pro can work within your budget, to provide the most for your money.

As a side note, Google provides a basic website alongside the Google Business Profile page. It is limited in features and functions, but it is a Google property, and Google likes them, so it may be a good idea to have that one as well as your own. We use the Google Business Site with all our profiles, and it seems to help, and it certainly can’t hurt to have it.

Conclusion

C&S Local Marketing’s team of professionals can design, build, host, and maintain your business website, and we can work within almost any budget. We are based locally, so contacting us is easy and uncomplicated. Contact us today for our no-cost, no-obligation consultation, and let us discuss your options and find out what works best for you!