Is it worth having my own website?

“Is it worth having my own website?” It’s a fair question, and one I hear quite a bit, especially from business owners, freelancers, consultants, even side-hustlers trying to weigh up whether it’s worth the time and money. The short answer is: yes, it probably is. But let’s not stop there, because the value of a website isn’t the same for everyone, and like most things, it depends on context, goals and expectations.

So let’s start here — what are you using instead of a website right now? Because that’s usually the first thing I want to know. Are you relying on Instagram? LinkedIn? A Facebook page? A Google Business Profile? Word of mouth? A listing on a marketplace or directory? For some people, those things might seem like enough — and sometimes they are, at least for a while. You can get leads through social, you can message clients through WhatsApp, and you can even run ads pointing to a landing page someone else owns. But the key point is this: when you don’t have your own site, you don’t really own anything. You’re building your business on someone else’s platform, and you’re at the mercy of their rules, their reach, and their algorithm changes.

Your website, on the other hand, is your space. You control how it looks, what it says, how it functions, and how it grows. It’s there 24/7, not limited by social media trends or platform downtime. And it doesn’t need constant feeding just to stay visible. That matters more than people realise. Because when someone wants to learn about your business — not just see your latest post or read a two-line description — they go looking for your website. Even subconsciously, we judge a business by whether it has one. No site? It can raise eyebrows. “Are they legit? Are they still active? Why can’t I find anything about them?” These things might seem small, but they stack up.

That said, not every website delivers value. And this is where the nuance comes in. A badly made website, with poor messaging, clunky design, slow performance, or no clear calls to action — that doesn’t help anyone. Worse still, it can undermine credibility. If someone clicks through to your site and finds it confusing or outdated, they might not give you a second chance. That’s why the answer to “Is it worth having my own website?” isn’t just yes — it’s yes, if it’s done properly.

So what does “done properly” mean in practice? It doesn’t have to be flashy. It just needs to be clear, useful and aligned with your business goals. If you’re a one-person consultancy, maybe it’s a simple one-page site with a strong introduction, some proof of experience, a clear offer, and an easy way to get in touch. If you sell physical products, you might need a proper e-commerce setup, or at least a catalogue and enquiry system. If you’re running events or offering training, you’ll probably want to include a booking system or mailing list integration. The key is to build something that works for your audience and supports how you operate. That’s when a website starts paying for itself.

Let me give you a real-world example. A friend of mine ran a small dog grooming business. For years, she relied on word of mouth and Facebook posts. She was always busy, until she wasn’t. Suddenly, bookings dried up, and she couldn’t understand why. Turns out a new competitor popped up in the same town with a slick website, online booking, glowing reviews, the lot. People were Googling “dog groomer near me” and booking through that other site because it was easier, faster and felt more professional. My friend had the better service, but no digital presence to back it up. Once she got a proper site live, with local SEO and a clean booking flow, the calls started coming again. Sometimes it’s not about being the biggest, it’s about being findable, trustworthy, and easy to engage with.

Now, let’s flip the lens. There are cases where you might not need a site, at least not yet. If you’re just testing an idea, or running a limited campaign, or you genuinely only get clients through referrals, and you’re at full capacity, then maybe a site isn’t urgent. Or maybe what you need is more like a landing page or a digital business card, something simple to give people a place to land. And if budget is a concern, there’s no shame in starting with something lean and building out later. But waiting too long can be a missed opportunity. A good website compounds over time, in search rankings, in credibility, in the trust it builds.

A proper website matters because your customers expect one. Ofcom reports that 93% of UK adults have home internet access and spend nearly four hours online every day. That level of online presence carries expectations, and trust is one of them.

There’s also the SEO angle. Google still matters. And if your name, your business, or your services don’t show up in search — or worse, if something else shows up instead — you’ve lost control of the narrative. Even if you don’t care about being top of page one, it’s important that when someone types in your name or business, what they find feels like you. Your voice, your values, your message. A website gives you that control.

So, to bring it back to the question: is it worth having your own website? If you care about your brand, want to grow your business, and value having a space online that works for you, then yes. It’s about ownership, and it’s about making it easy for people to understand who you are, what you do, and how to take the next step.

If you’re already busy and you’re wondering whether it’s worth the hassle, ask yourself this: could a better website help you attract better clients? Could it reduce the number of questions you get asked? Could it save time, streamline booking, or showcase your work more effectively? If the answer to any of those is yes, then the site becomes an important asset.

We’ve been helping businesses make smart use of digital for nearly 20 years. Based in Horley, Surrey — with additional locations in Peckham and Hampstead — we work with clients across the UK to plan websites, SEO, content, and campaigns that actually move the needle. If you’re thinking about your next step online and want a partner who’ll focus on what really matters to your business, we’re here to help. Contact us.