Top Ten Excuses for Not Having a Business Website

Did you know that, according to a survey by The Discover Small Business Watch, only 38% of small businesses have a business website or other online presence? Even in the information age, small businesses still have excuses for a lack of web presence.

With apologies to David Letterman, here are the top 10 excuses companies have for not having a commercial website and why there are no more excuses.

1. I didn’t know I needed a website. They say that ignorance is a blessing, but it is no excuse. According to the US Census Bureau, 70% of Americans use the Internet every day, and that number is growing. Younger, wealthier customers look forward to seeing you online. Older people are also discovering the Internet in droves. All of these people are potential customers.
2. IIt is very difficult to make a website. Scared by style sheets? Does JavaScript make you jump? Do you have HTML horror? Don’t even know where to start? It’s okay. The rise of WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) web design tools means that if you can use Microsoft Office tools to perform basic tasks, you can create a professional-looking business website.
3. I don’t know how to make a website. Learning how to create a website for your business is easier than ever. If you are reading this, you are already on your way.
4. It takes too long to create a website. Thanks to those same WYSIWYG tools, in the time it takes to watch the game on TV, you can create a website for your business. You can also update your business website on the go.
5. It costs too much money to make a website. You really don’t need to pay a lot to hire a fancy web design company, buy expensive software, or pay a lot to host your web domain. You can do all of this yourself and you can do it for free. Don’t forget the money (and trees) you save by printing fewer flyers and brochures too.
6. My business is not big enough to need a website. The Internet is a place where size doesn’t matter. Your individual store can play and win in the same arena as the Fortune 500.
7. I don’t sell anything online so I don’t need a website. You may not be online, but your customers and competitors are online. If your customers are new to town or are buying your product or service for the first time, the first thing they look for is the Internet.
8. A website is too impersonal. Are you answering the same questions about your product or service? Do customers ask you for your web address? Referring customers to your company’s website can save you and your customers time and hassle. Also, being online gives you credibility … others are online, why not you?
9. I already have a commercial website. The website you started with may have worked for you once, but does your business website still work for you? To find out, ask yourself these questions:

• How do I pay to design, host and maintain my company website?
• When did I last update my company website?
• Am I satisfied with my current company website?
• Does my website help my company to do its best?
• How easy is it to make changes?
• How much traffic does my site receive?
• What are my competitors doing online?

I already have brochures and advertisements in the newspaper, on the radio or on television. Yes, these offline media are still powerful, but the Internet is just as powerful, if not more so, than traditional advertising. A website promotes your business 24 hours a day and around the world for a fraction of the cost and time of old-school media. Plus, it’s easier than ever to see if your business website is getting you the most bang for your buck, thanks to web tracking tools.