Do you need a website? Let me help you decide (without a sales pitch)
Almost everything you read about this is written by someone who sells websites, so the answer is always "yes, of course". Here is an honest one: sometimes yes, sometimes not yet. Decide for yourself with the test below, in 30 seconds.
A website is no longer essential for everyone, but it is the only channel that is 100% yours — social media and marketplaces only rent you space. You need one if your clients search for you on Google, if you sell or attract clients online, or if you currently depend on a platform you do not control. If everything happens through word of mouth and face to face, it may not be your priority yet.
There is a catch here: most articles answering "do I need a website?" are written by people who make a living building them. I build websites too, so take this with a pinch of salt — but I have tried to be honest, even when the answer is "not yet". Selling you a website you do not need is the surest way to stop you coming back.
Test: do you need a website now?
Answer 5 questions and I will give you an honest verdict.
What hardly anyone tells you: your website is the only thing you own
Your Instagram account is not yours; it belongs to Meta. Your marketplace listing is not yours; it belongs to the platform. If they change the rules tomorrow, reduce your reach or close your account, you are left with nothing — and it has happened to many people. Your website is the only place where you set the rules. Social media is great for discovery; your website is where you turn that interest into clients and where you do not depend on anyone else.
When you DO need a website and when you do NOT yet
You need one if…
- Your clients search for you on Google (or your competitors are already there)
- You sell or attract clients online, not just in person
- You have services, a catalogue or case studies to explain
- You depend on a social network or marketplace you do not control
- You want credibility: having no website reduces trust today
Perhaps not yet if…
- You have just started and are still validating the idea
- All your business comes through very local word of mouth and face-to-face contact
- Your Google Business Profile and social media already give you everything you need
- You lack the time or resources for even basic upkeep
- Your real priority right now is something else, such as your product or first clients
If you are in the right-hand column, that is fine: make the most of your Google Business Profile and social media first, validate that the business works, and build a website when you want to grow beyond your circle or stop relying on other people's platforms. Do not rush into spending before you need to.
If you need one, how big should it be?
Needing a website does not mean needing a huge project. Most businesses can start well with a simple, clear website: who you are, what you do, proof that you are trustworthy and how to contact you. That already gives you a presence, credibility and somewhere to convert visitors. Everything else — a shop, blog or languages — can be added when you really need it. Starting with the essentials and growing is cheaper and smarter than building something huge that you do not use.
We will talk for 15 minutes. You tell me about your business, and I will honestly explain what kind of website you need — and what you do not — with a clear quote. If the answer is "not yet", I will tell you that too.
Let's discuss your situationFrequently asked questions
Are Instagram and social media not enough?
Social media works very well for discovery. The problem is that you do not own it: you depend on its reach and rules. A website complements social media — it is the place you control and where the people who discover you eventually become clients.
What if I only have a Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile is extremely powerful for local businesses and may be enough at first. But it is limited to what Google lets you show. When you need to explain more, sell online or stand out, a website is the natural next step.
What if I sell on a marketplace such as Amazon or Etsy?
They bring you traffic, but charge commission, control your relationship with clients and can change the rules whenever they want. Your own website lets you sell without an intermediary and build your brand. Combining both is usually best, rather than relying solely on the marketplace.
Is a simple website useful, or does it need to be large?
Very useful. Most businesses can get off to a great start with a simple, well-built website. Size is not what matters; it needs to be clear, fast and designed to get visitors to do something: call, message or buy.
How much would it cost?
It depends on the type, but as a guide: a simple website costs between 300 and 1.000 €, and a bespoke one between 1.500 and 4.000 €. You can find a breakdown, including a calculator, in how much a website costs.
I am Rubén Romay, a marketing and web design consultant in Mallorca. I help you decide whether a website makes sense for you, what kind and when — without the hype. If you do not need one yet, I will tell you.
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