If You’ve Ever Said “I Don’t Need a Website” – Read This

At some point, you’ve probably thought (or even said out loud):

“I don’t need a website. My business does just fine without one.”

If that sounds familiar, this post is for you.

Maybe you’re a plumber who gets most of your jobs through word of mouth. Or a beautician who relies on repeat clients and Facebook messages. Or perhaps you’re a tradesperson who gets steady work through referrals. It’s easy to feel like a website is just another expense.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: the businesses you’re competing with do have websites. And they’re using them to attract the customers you could be serving.

In this post, I’ll walk you through why saying “I don’t need a website” could be one of the costliest mistakes a small business owner in the UK can make. We’ll bust myths, share real-life stories, and show you why having your own website (even a simple, affordable one) is one of the smartest moves you’ll ever make.

By the end, you’ll see that a website isn’t just “a nice extra” – it’s an essential tool to help your business grow, thrive, and stand out from the competition.

Why Do So Many Small Business Owners Say They Don’t Need a Website?

Before we get into the “why you do need one,” let’s talk about why so many people push the idea aside in the first place.

Here are the most common things we hear:

• “I get plenty of work through word of mouth.”

• “I’ve got Facebook/Instagram/Google Business Profile – that’s enough.”

• “Websites are expensive and complicated.”

• “I’m too busy actually running my business to think about it.”

• “Nobody ever asks me for a website – they just call me.”

Sound familiar?

Let me share a story. A chap called Tony (a plumber from Benfleet) once told me exactly this. He said he didn’t need a website because he had enough boiler installs lined up for weeks. His diary was full – or so he thought.

Then one day, a big job came up in his area. A customer had asked on Facebook for recommendations. Tony’s name came up a few times. But when the customer Googled “Tony the plumber Benfleet,” guess what? No website. No details. No way to see his services, no phone number that popped up straight away.

So, the customer called someone else.

Tony missed out – not because he wasn’t good, but because he wasn’t visible.

👉 We’ve written more about this exact problem in Why Most Small Business Websites Fail – and how to avoid it.

The Harsh Truth: Your Competition Has a Website

Imagine this: a potential customer needs what you offer. They whip out their phone and type “electrician near me” or “beauty salon Grays” or “landscaper Chelmsford.”

Who shows up?

Not you – if you don’t have a website.

Instead, it’s your competition. The other tradesman. The other salon. The other landscaper. And here’s the thing – they don’t even have to be better than you. They just have to be easier to find.

Example:

Leah, a beautician in Grays, thought her regulars would always keep her busy. But she noticed her competitors were snapping up new clients every week. Why? Because when people searched for “eyelash extensions Grays,” her competitors’ websites popped up.

Leah? She was invisible online.

Having no website is a bit like opening a shop on the high street but keeping the blinds down. People walk past. They know someone is there. But they won’t stop and knock – they’ll just go to the shop next door with the lights on.

👉 Want to know what actually makes a website stand out from your competitors? Read our guide on What Makes a Great Trades or Service Website.

“But I’m on Facebook – Isn’t That Enough?”

This is one of the biggest myths. And it makes sense – Facebook and Instagram are free, easy, and full of potential customers. But here’s the problem:

• You don’t own Facebook. If Meta changes the rules (and they often do), you’re stuck. Remember when Facebook decided to stop showing business page posts to most followers unless you paid for ads? That hit a lot of small businesses hard.

• Not everyone uses social media. Shocking but true – especially for older customers, who are often the ones with the money to spend.

• A Facebook page isn’t as credible as a website. People expect businesses to have a website. Without one, they wonder if you’re “proper” or not.

Think of your Facebook or Instagram as your shop window. It’s great for showing off photos and offers. But your website? That’s the actual shop where people come in, browse, and buy.

Why a Website is Essential in 2025 (and Beyond)

Here’s why small businesses in the UK simply can’t afford to skip having a website anymore.

1. It Makes You Look Professional

Would you trust a builder who scribbles his quote on the back of an envelope? Or a hairdresser with no photos of her work? Probably not.

A website is your modern-day business card. It shows you’re established, reliable, and serious about your trade.

👉 Check out Starting From Scratch? Here’s What Your First Website Really Needs for the essentials.

2. It Works 24/7

You finish work at 6pm. You go home, have dinner, relax. Meanwhile, your website is still answering questions, showing your services, and giving people a way to contact you.

Imagine waking up to new enquiries in your inbox. That’s the power of a website.

3. It Helps You Get Found on Google

Most people search online before they buy anything. A website gives you a chance to appear in those searches.

Without one, you’re invisible.

👉 If ranking on Google feels mysterious, our post Why Your Website Isn’t Ranking – And How to Fix It clears things up.

4. It’s Cheaper Than Constant Advertising

Yes, you can keep running ads on Facebook or Google. But a website is a long-term investment. Once it’s live, it keeps working for you – without you having to keep topping up the meter.

5. It Lets You Tell Your Story

People don’t just buy services. They buy people. Your website is your chance to share your story – why you started your business, what makes you different, why you care about your customers.

The Cost of Saying “I Don’t Need a Website”

Let’s put this into real terms.

Say you’re a gas engineer. You charge £80 for a boiler service.

If you miss out on just two customers a month because they found your competitor online instead of you – that’s £160 lost every month.

Over a year, that’s £1,920.

And that’s just two customers a month. For most small businesses, it’s more like dozens. Suddenly, not having a website looks very expensive indeed.

FAQs About Having a Website for Your Business

Q: I’m busy enough already – why do I need even more work?
A: Being busy now doesn’t guarantee you’ll stay busy. Customers move, circumstances change, and referrals can dry up. A website ensures you always have a pipeline of new leads ready.

Q: Aren’t websites expensive?
A: They can be, if you go to a big fancy agency. But they don’t need to be. That’s exactly why we created 99 Quid Websites – to give small businesses professional websites without the scary price tag.

Q: I’m not good with tech. How will I manage it?
A: That’s where we come in. We handle the technical bits, so you don’t have to. You get a simple, professional site that works – without headaches.

Q: Can’t I just rely on my Google Business Profile?
A: A Google Business Profile is great – but it’s even more powerful when linked to your website. People trust you more when they see a proper site backing up your listing.

Q: How quickly will a website start bringing me new customers?
A: Some people see results straight away, especially if their competition isn’t very active online. For others, it’s a steady build – but every day you don’t have a site is another day your competitors are winning.

Ready to Stop Saying “I Don’t Need a Website”?

If you’ve read this far, you already know deep down that you do.

A website isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s the baseline. The price of entry. And with the right one, you can finally stop losing customers to your competition and start winning online.

At 99 Quid Websites, we make it simple:

• No complicated jargon

• No huge bills

• Just a professional website that works – built for your business, for just £99.

👉 Contact us today and let’s get your business online where it belongs.

Because every day you wait, your competition is getting stronger. And you? You’re falling behind.