Why Small Businesses Should Have a Website in the US Market

In today’s high-tech digital world, having a website has become an essential need for all businesses. Whatever type of business you run, your online presence can be a game-changer for your business.
A well-designed and professionally-maintained website can help you build credibility, smooth operations, and attract new customers. Your website is your digital storefront, which makes your business accessible 24/7 from anywhere.
Indeed, many small businesses don’t think of investing in a website due to cost issues. But, customers now expect every business to have a website, irrespective of size and domain. Of course, it is not just having a website for a business, it is about having a well-supported and reliable online spot. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of a website for small businesses in the US market.
Why a website matters for small businesses in the us market
Undoubtedly, lots of customers are online today. As per the Statista survey, 91% of the US population uses the internet for different purposes. That means when someone hears about your business, their first instinct is to Google you.
That means when someone hears about your business, their first way is to Google you. If you don’t have a website, you may lose that potential customer to your competitor who does. Plus, a well-maintained website shows your trust signal in the digital age.
Let’s check the reasons why small businesses in the US market should have a website:
1. Build trust
First impressions always matter a lot. According to a Stanford University study, 75% of users consider the credibility of a business through its website design. That means irrelevant or missing content, outdated visuals, or broken links can hurt your online reputation.
With professional website maintenance and support for small businesses, you can ensure that your website always has fresh content and stays updated with trends and visuals. It helps you build a positive image of your business and bring in more potential customers.
2. Increases business reach and visibility
Forget the days when customers found businesses through print media or the yellow pages. A fact is that Google processes more than 8.5 billion searches every day. And if you are not online or if you are invisible on the web, then you are losing lots of customers.
A well-optimized website can help you rank your business on the SERP. To achieve this, proper SEO techniques are required on your website.
Always remember that SEO is not a one-time setup; it requires regular updates and content changes. That’s where you need to set up a professional website.
3. 24/7 Accessibility
Your website never takes breaks. It is your 24/7 working employee. A website makes your customers learn about your services, products and browse your portfolio.
The Clutch survey found that 64% of small businesses got an increase in revenue after developing a website. Your website’s always-on nature helps you schedule bookings, capture leads and close deals within minimal time and effort.
4. Boosts Marketing and Sales
Your website is not just your online signature; it is a full-scale, all-time accessible marketing machine. Indeed, it is a pool of your marketing efforts, including:
- Social media campaigns
- Email marketing
- Blogging and content marketing
- Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising
As per Small Business Administration (SBA) reports, businesses with websites grow 39% faster than those without a website. Websites help you create targeted campaigns and turn visitors into leads.
5. Enhances customer communication and engagement
It is not just about marketing or branding; it is also about customer engagement and communication. A website offers communication and engagement features like:
- Live chat
- Chatbots
- Contact forms
- FAQ sections
- Feedback widgets
According to Freshworks and HubSpot, businesses using live chat support experience a 48% increase in their revenue per chat hour. Also, they experience a 40% increase in customer satisfaction.
However, to effectively run these tools, monitoring and updating them are required regularly. A professional website maintenance service provider helps you improve your response time and makes your customer service top-notch.
6. Stay Competitive
Many of your competitors already have websites. According to Forbes’ 2024 report, 71% of businesses have a website. If you’re in the 29% that don’t, you’re playing catch-up.
Having superior products doesn’t mean that your customers will discover you. Without being visible online, it is not possible. Worse yet, they may assume your business isn’t legitimate or trustworthy.
By having a professionally designed and supported website, you level the playing field and sometimes even surpass larger competitors through better user experience, local SEO, and responsive service.
7. Provides valuable insights and analytics
Your website is a valuable asset and always offers actionable insights. You can use several tools like heatmaps, Google Analytics to measure the insights like:
- Visitor demographics
- Most viewed pages
- Conversion rates
- Bounce rates
- Traffic sources
All these data insights enable you to refine your marketing strategy, understand and serve better, and make data-driven decisions.
8. Showcases products, services, & testimonials
A website acts as your digital portfolio. You can showcase your products and services there for your customers. This not only informs your customers about your business but also builds social proof.
BrightLocal survey shows that 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses before purchasing from them. A well-developed website showcases your success stories and positively impacts your business.
Conclusion
A strong digital presence defines your business success. From building trust to boosting sales, revenue, and improving customer experiences, a website can bring countless benefits. In fact, investing in a website is essential, specifically for small businesses in the US. A website not only supports your business success but also makes it exceptional and profitable in the long term.