You might find yourself constantly asking, "Do I really need a website for my small business?" Many people start out with a dedicated Facebook or Instagram page and don't feel like they need a dedicated landing page for their business on top of that. Setting up a website can feel like a major hassle to take on when your business already makes money in other ways, but having a high quality website is one of the keys to success and growth right now.
According to web design industry data, 83% of all businesses now have a website, and that number has increased by 12% in just the past year (source).
To understand why more and more businesses are choosing to have websites, we're going to cover the following:
- Why having a website is more important than ever for your business
- How a website can improve your business
- What you can do to get a website for your business today
Why should I invest in a website for my business?
Having a website for your business comes with real, tangible benefits:
- Credibility and professionalism: Your website is often the first thing people look at when they hear about your business. If someone you recently did work for recommends you to a friend, the first thing that friend does is look you up. That website is the first impression of your business to everyone who hears about it. A high quality site instantly builds trust and credibility with potential customers. People want to work with people they believe are professional and trustworthy, and a well built website starts building that before you've said a word.
- Brand control: You control exactly what's on your website and how it's presented. On a platform like Facebook or Instagram, your business is subject to algorithms, restrictions, and constantly changing terms of service. You have limited control over your brand on those platforms, which makes it harder to stand out.
- Marketing and growth: A website is essential for any real marketing or growth effort. If you want to run Google Ads, having a fast loading website that actually addresses what your customers care about is a requirement. And with any other form of marketing, the first thing an interested prospect does is check out your website. It's the first impression for anyone marketing brings your way.
- Sales and lead generation: Think of a website as a personal sales tool for your business. It lets you showcase your services and highlight their value before you ever have to talk to anyone. It also lets you take inquiries 24/7, so you're always ready for anyone who wants to reach out.
- Competitive advantage: When someone is new to an area, the first thing they usually do is look up the services they need nearby. Without a website, you're invisible to an ever growing number of online searchers. Showing up when people are looking is worth the time and effort it takes to build a high quality website.
How is AI changing the way people interact online?
AI is changing the way everyone interacts with online tools and services. Many people now only read AI generated summaries of reviews or answers to the questions they search for. A 2026 local consumer survey found that AI tools have already become the third most popular source of business recommendations (source).
That number is only going to grow as AI tools improve and more people learn to rely on them. Many current business websites simply aren't built in a way that AI can read or pull information from, which means a growing share of potential customers may never even see you.
Making sure your website includes an llms.txt file helps keep it from staying unreadable to AI tools. The web design landscape is constantly changing, and keeping up with every new trend can be a lot to track, which is exactly why staying informed matters, regardless of your specific situation.
What do I need to do to set up a website for my business today?
There are a few common paths to getting a website for your business today:
- Hire someone to build a custom website for you
- Use AI to generate a basic website
- Use an online website builder to put one together yourself
Hiring someone who specializes in website creation for your business will always get you the highest impact result. It just isn't always the most affordable option. That's exactly why website builders and AI generated sites have become such common alternatives to traditional web design agencies.
That's also why, at Out Shine, we work to provide high quality small business websites at an affordable price, so your business can get a site that helps it grow without straining the budget. We also know you don't always have time to update and maintain a website yourself, which is why we offer 24/7 support and unlimited updates.
If you're interested in getting a custom tailored website for your business, contact us today using the button below.