Did you know that 81% of shoppers research businesses online before making a purchase and 75% of users judge a company’s credibility on its web design (Zippia, BusinessDasher)?

That means if you don’t have a website, or if your website is poorly designed, you’re missing out on opportunities to scale and retain customers–opportunities that your competitors with polished websites are seizing.

In 2025, it’s projected that 2.77 billion people will be shopping online globally. This underscores the massive revenue potential for businesses that have an optimized online presence.

---

🔑Why Having an Online Presence is Crucial for Your Business

• The Digital Shift
  • Since COVID-19, we’ve witnessed the slow death of brick + mortar while online companies thrive. Websites, combined with social media as a marketing tool, have been a game-changer for entrepreneurs.
• Social media markets, but your website sells.
  • (Seriously, I might need to get this tattooed!) Social media drives awareness, but a website is where your potential customers take action. Read about why a social media presence alone just isn’t enough↓

📱A Social Media Presence isn’t Enough

While not every business may need a website, every business that wants to scale absolutely does.

• The Sales Funnel
  • Social media serves as an amazing marketing tool to drive traffic 👉🏻 your website.
  • But your website is where potential customers get all the information they need to take action– whether it’s purchasing a product, downloading a freebie, booking a discovery call, etc.
  • A website designed for conversion makes it easier for visitors to take action without much effort on your part.
• The Customer Experience

Social media platforms aren’t designed to provide a comprehensive, professional experience for your customers. They’re great for building awareness, but you can’t control the user experience and customer journey on a third-party platform the way you can on your own site.

• Credibility is Key
  • Consider some of the most random, big names in business: Target, Rare Beauty, Magnolia by Joanna Gaines– do they rely solely on social media to convert leads into customers? No freakin’ way. They all have highly professional, user-friendly websites.
  • While social media might help you land your first paying customer, to scale into five-figure or six-figure months, you need a website. It’s absolutely essential for long-term growth and becoming a big name brand!

Stay tuned because I have an entire blog post about just this topic coming soon. 🤭

---

💸Benefits of Having a Website for Your Small Business

Expand your reach

Around 93% of all website traffic comes from search engines (Konstruct Digital). A website opens your business up to a broader audience–one that extends far beyond your social media followers.

Increased Accessibility

Your website is a 24/7 business hub. Instead of customers scouring through your social media or waiting for replies to DMs, they can find everything they need on your site–from product details to contact info.

Unique Relationship Building

Yes, social media is a great way to build an online community, but so if your website. By utilizing newsletters, blog posts, and email marketing, you can nurture leads, build trust, and convert them into loyal customers.

---

💻The Most Important Features of an Effective Website

• User-Friendly Design + Functionality

You have heard me say this a million times and I’ll say it a million times more–user-friendly design is key. A clean, easy-to-navigate site with appealing visuals and intuitive functionality is the cornerstone of a great user experience.

• SEO Optimization

SEO ensures that your site appears in front of the right people. Even basic SEO (keywords, left-aligned text, alt. text, etc.) can dramatically improve your visibility and help you show up in search engine results.

• Professional Branding + Images

According to a Justuno study, 93% of consumers say visual content is the most important factor when making a purchase decision. So why risk losing those potential consumers by skimping on the most important factors for almost ALL consumers?

📞”Okay Hanna, but….”

“I can’t afford a website”

It’s true that a custom website can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000+. But right now, my Web in a Week package is on sale for just $1,200 (a $2,400 value!!!) and my custom package is only $1,500 (a $3,000 value!!). Did I mention that website design is tax deductible (in most cases)?? That makes this a no-brainer.

Still worried about investing? I also offer affordable website templates for less than $100. So, myth busted.

“I don’t have time to spend weeks on a website design.”

What if I told you that you could have a fully functional website in just 5 days? My Web in a Week package is perfect for busy entrepreneurs who want to launch their site quickly, without sacrificing quality. Learn more about Web in a Week here →

“I’m not tech-savvy.”

No worries! My websites are built on Showit, an easy-to-use platform with drag-and-drop functionality. You can change elements and make updates easily. Plus, I provide custom walkthroughs, tutorials, and 14 days of post-launch support. You’ll never be left in the dark! And, bonus, no coding!

---

📈The Bottom Line:

Websites are essential for building credibility, converting leads, and boosting visibility. In today’s competitive market, you can’t afford to rely solely on social media.

Investing in a professionally designed website gives you a long-term asset that works around the clock for you– generating revenue, converting leads, and building trust with your audience.

If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed, I’m here to answer any questions. Explore my website, learn more about Digital Gems, and take the first step toward growing your business exponentially.