Here's why small businesses struggle to get their first website
It’s more important than ever to have a web presence. When someone needs your service, they don’t reach for the phone book— they grab the phone and look up “clowns near me.”
Generation Z, the youngest adults, use Instagram and TikTok to engage with their friends, businesses, and content creators. This means if you don’t have a presence online, you are invisible to this huge demographic.
Yelp, Facebook, and Instagram are great to have, but at any moment, one of these services can take down your profile for any reason. They can’t do this with a website.
When you have a website, it’s yours. It matches your branding and showcases your products and talents to the world. A concise and beautiful website shows potential customers that you care about your public perception.
Websites Are Expensive
The first worry small businesses have is that websites are expensive. The average website in California costs anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. This is intimidating for a small business that might already operate on razor thin margin.
It Takes An Expert To Build A Professional Website
You probably wouldn’t hire a random person that wasn’t a plumber to work on your house. That is a recipe for disaster, and although a website can’t flood your house, a poorly made website can reflect your business in a negative light and have customers questioning your legitimacy.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs Add Up
Beyond the initial development costs, websites require continuous maintenance. Hosting fees, domain renewal, security updates, and content management all come with recurring expenses. For small businesses just starting out, these additional costs can be a significant burden on their budget.
The Technical Learning Curve Is Steep
Even with modern website builders, there’s still a considerable learning curve. Understanding domains, hosting, SSL certificates, SEO, and content management systems takes time and effort. Many small business owners already wear multiple hats and struggle to find the time to learn these new skills.
Security Concerns Are Real
Websites are vulnerable to cyber attacks, and small businesses often become targets. Implementing proper security measures requires expertise and ongoing vigilance. A security breach can be devastating for a small business, potentially compromising customer data and damaging trust.
The Return on Investment Isn’t Immediate
While a website is crucial for long-term success, the benefits aren’t always immediate. It takes time to build traffic, establish online credibility, and see tangible results. This delayed gratification can be discouraging for small businesses that need quick returns on their investments.
The Solution
You need to hire a professional web developer that knows how to navigate the industry. Here at Parish Web Company we have decades of experience on the web and have developers and designers that can get you up and running. This is an excellent way to grow your business.
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