Still No Website? Here’s What That’s Costing Your Business

Let’s be honest for a second — it’s 2025, and if your business still doesn’t have a website, it’s costing you. Not just a little bit, either. We’re talking missed sales, lost credibility, and a queue of potential customers walking straight past your virtual door (because it doesn’t exist). And if you’re a UK small business owner — maybe a tradesperson or running a service-based business — this one’s for you.

The good news? Sorting it doesn’t have to be complicated, techy, or expensive. In fact, you can get a brilliant, SEO-friendly website without touching a single line of code — and we’ll show you how. But first, let’s talk about what not having a website is really costing you.

1. You're Invisible to 8 in 10 People

Here’s the first brutal truth: most people now search online before making a buying decision.

Whether someone’s after a local plumber, a dog groomer, or a cake maker in Essex — the first place they go? Google.

And if your business isn’t online, it’s like it doesn’t exist.

In fact, research shows that 81% of people search online before buying, even if they’re buying locally. And in the UK, that number’s even higher among under-55s. No website? You’re missing out on the majority of those searches — and handing that business over to your competitors.

Case Study:
Sarah runs a small flower shop in Basildon. For years, she relied on foot traffic and the odd mention on Facebook. Once she launched her website with 99 Quid Websites, she began appearing in Google searches for “same day flowers Basildon” — and saw a 45% boost in phone orders within three months. That’s the difference visibility makes.

2. You Look Less Trustworthy Without One

You might be the best at what you do. But in today’s world, no website = red flag.

Think about your own habits. If you look up a business and find no website, do you:

a) Call them anyway, hoping for the best?
b) Google their competitors instead?

Most people choose option b. And the stats back that up — a whopping 84% of consumers think having a website makes a business more credible.

Even a simple, clean website can make a huge difference to how professional you look. A customer who sees photos of your work, clear contact details, testimonials, and your opening hours is far more likely to trust you.

3. You’re Losing Out on ‘Passive’ Leads

Without a website, you’re working twice as hard for your leads.

You might be posting on Facebook, answering DMs, or replying to “Are you free next Tuesday?” messages at 10pm. Exhausting, right?

But a good website works 24/7. It brings in enquiries even while you’re asleep, on holiday, or knee-deep in paperwork.

✅ It answers common questions
✅ It shows off your services
✅ It captures enquiries via contact forms
✅ It builds your authority (especially if it's SEO-optimised)

All without you lifting a finger.

Tony, a local boiler engineer from Benfleet, got fed up chasing leads on Facebook. He booked a £99 website with us, included a form for emergency call-outs, and started getting bookings while he was still finishing other jobs. No more messaging back and forth with people who ghost you

4. You’re Missing Out on Local SEO

Let’s talk Google Maps, “near me” searches, and ranking for terms like “cleaner in Southend” or “builder in Canvey Island”.

These are golden opportunities for local businesses — but you need a website to take advantage.

A Google Business Profile is great (and we help with that too), but pairing it with a website gives your business a massive SEO boost. You’re far more likely to show up in local searches — especially if your website is built with search in mind.

Think of it like this: your website is your digital base. It gives Google a place to send all that juicy search traffic.

5. You’re Relying Too Heavily on Social Media

Don’t get us wrong — Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram are brilliant tools. But they shouldn’t be your only online presence.

Social platforms change. Algorithms shift. Pages get hacked. And if your business is only on social, you’re building your house on rented land.

A website is yours. You control it. You’re not at the mercy of trends or Meta’s latest update. And when it links up with your socials? Even better.

True story:
Leah, a beautician from Grays, had 3,000 followers on Instagram… until her account got cloned and her reach disappeared overnight. Now she drives all her bookings through her website — and uses Instagram as a backup, not her main business tool.

6. You're Slowing Down Referrals

Even if most of your work comes from word of mouth (which is brilliant, by the way), referrals only go so far without a website.

Let’s say someone says: “Oh, you should use James the Electrician – he’s brilliant!”

The next step for the person hearing that? They Google you.

If you don’t show up — or there’s no site for them to explore your services, prices or contact info — that referral might not go anywhere.

A website amplifies referrals by making you easier to find, trust, and contact.

7. You’re Making Your Competitors Look Better

Here’s a hard truth: when you don’t have a website, and your competitors do, you’re helping them win.

Even if your service is better, faster, cheaper, or more reliable — a slick, simple website gives them the edge in the eyes of a potential customer.

Let’s flip that. Imagine you do get a website up and running — fast. You immediately position yourself alongside the competition (or ahead of them if their site is clunky or out of date).

A £99 investment could shift the whole dynamic of who looks like the “go-to” in your area.

But I’m Not ‘Techy’… What If I Don’t Know Where to Start?

You’re not alone.

We’ve worked with hundreds of small businesses across Essex and beyond who were nervous about getting online. Maybe they’d been quoted thousands. Maybe they thought it’d take weeks. Maybe they didn’t know what “hosting” or “SSL” even meant.

With 99 Quid Websites, we keep it simple.

• You give us your business details

• We build you a beautiful, functional, mobile-friendly site

• It’s SEO-friendly and ready to grow with your business

• You don’t need to know anything technical

• And it’s just £99

No tech headaches. No hidden fees. Just a proper online home for your business.

What You Do Need on Your Website (And What to Avoid)

MUST-HAVES:

✅ Your contact info (including a phone number and email)
✅ Clear description of what you do
✅ Photos of your work or service
✅ Testimonials from happy customers
✅ A contact form
✅ A simple layout that works on phones
✅ Local SEO keywords (we handle that for you)

AVOID:

❌ Overloading it with text and jargon
❌ Stock images that look too ‘corporate’
❌ Pages that take ages to load
❌ Flashy animations that distract from your message
❌ Hiding your phone number (people hate that)

We’ll guide you through what works — and what doesn’t — based on what people are actually searching for.

Still Got Questions?

1. “Can I really get a proper website for £99?”
Yes. That’s the whole point of 99 Quid Websites. You get a well-designed, SEO-friendly site built for real UK small businesses — no gimmicks, no ‘free trials’ that expire. Just a straight-up deal.

2. “How long does it take?”
Once we’ve got your details, we aim to have your site ready in just a few weeks. Fast, friendly, and fuss-free.

3. “Do I need to write all the text?”
Not unless you want to! We’ll ask you a few questions and then write the content for you — using words that work for your customers and for Google.

4. “Is it mobile-friendly?”
Absolutely. Every site we build is fully responsive, which means it works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Over half your visitors will be on mobile, so it’s non-negotiable.

5. “Can I get found on Google?”
Yes — that’s baked into what we do. Our sites are built with SEO in mind, and we make sure your key services and locations are front and centre, we don't guarantee front page on google.. nobody can

6. “What if I need changes later?”
We offer affordable ongoing support, and we’re always here if you want to add or update things. Many of our customers start with a simple 3 page site and grow from there.

Your Website Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy. It Just Has to Work.

You don’t need bells and whistles. You need a site that:

👉 Shows people what you do
👉 Makes it easy to contact you
👉 Gets found in search results
👉 Looks professional and trustworthy
👉 Works even when you’re not

And that’s exactly what we build.

Ready to Get Going?

If you’re ready to stop losing leads, referrals, and customers to your competitors — we’d love to help.

👉 Contact us today and let’s get your business online for just £99.
You’ll be surprised at just how simple (and powerful) a good website can be.

📞 Get started now – reach out to the team at 99 Quid Websites. Your future customers are already searching for you. Let’s make sure they find you.

Need help deciding what should go on your homepage? Or what to call your services? We’re here for that too — we don’t just build websites, we help build businesses.