Why Your Small Business Still Needs a Website in 2026

Last month I had coffee with a decorator I know. Brilliant at his job – the kind of tradesperson who gets recommended constantly. But he mentioned something that stuck with me: he’d lost three jobs in a row to competitors. Not because they were better. Because they had websites and he didn’t.

“They just looked more… professional,” he said. “Even though I’ve been doing this twenty years.”

That conversation got me thinking about how we decide who to trust online. And honestly? We’re all a bit shallow about it.

The Google test

Think about the last time you needed a plumber, or a photographer, or any local service really. What did you do? You Googled them. Everyone does.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth: if someone doesn’t show up properly in that search – or worse, they show up with a Facebook page that hasn’t been updated since 2019 – we move on. We don’t even think about it. Just… next.

I do it. You probably do it too. It’s not fair, but it’s how things work now.

Word of mouth isn’t enough anymore

My decorator friend’s situation is actually really common. He gets recommended all the time. The problem is what happens after the recommendation.

Someone hears his name, thinks “I should look him up,” types his name into Google… and finds nothing useful. Maybe a few old reviews scattered around. Maybe a phone number with no context.

Meanwhile, the competitor has a clean website with photos of recent work, clear pricing, and a simple contact form. Who feels like the safer bet?

The referral got him considered. But without anywhere to land, he couldn’t close the deal.

What changed my mind about cheap websites

I used to be sceptical of the whole web design industry, honestly. I’d seen too many small businesses get burned by agencies charging £10k+ for sites that were outdated within a year. The whole thing felt like a bit of a racket.

But the tools have genuinely improved. What used to require a team of developers can now be done properly by one person who knows what they’re doing. The hosting is cheaper. The frameworks are better. The whole ecosystem has matured.

That’s why I can offer sites from £49/month with no upfront cost. Not because I’m cutting corners, but because the corners don’t need to exist anymore.

What you actually get

Custom design – not a template where you’re changing the logo and hoping nobody notices. Mobile-friendly (obviously). Basic SEO so Google knows you exist. And crucially: I handle all the ongoing maintenance and updates.

That last part matters. Most business owners I talk to don’t want a website because they’re worried it’ll be another thing to manage. Fair enough – you’ve got enough on your plate.

So I just… do it for you. Need to update your prices? Add a new service? Change your phone number? Drop me a message. Done within a day, usually.

Is it actually worth it?

Depends on your situation, honestly. If you’re genuinely getting all the work you need through existing channels and you’re not planning to grow, maybe not. I’m not going to pretend everyone needs a website.

But if you’re losing even one job a month because you look less established than competitors online? A £49 investment that brings in a £200+ job is a pretty obvious trade.

The decorator I mentioned? He finally got a site last month. Three enquiries in the first two weeks – all from people who’d been recommended by existing customers but wanted to “check him out” first.

If you’re curious whether a website makes sense for your specific situation, I’m happy to chat through it. No pressure, no sales pitch – just an honest look at whether it’d actually help. Get in touch and we’ll figure it out.