You’ve got a killer idea, a name you’re proud of, maybe even a logo you pulled together on Canva. You’ve started sharing bits on Instagram. Things are happening.
But that question lingers in the back of your mind:
“Do I really need a website yet?”
Short answer: yes.
Longer answer: absolutely yes and here’s why.
Let’s be real. Startups and small businesses are built on energy, ideas and long hours. Budgets are tight. Time is tighter. But skipping a website isn’t just a tech decision, it’s a missed opportunity to look credible, grow faster and give your brand the platform it deserves.
1. People Google You. Make Sure They Find You
Most people don’t reach out straight away.
They check you out first. That means Googling your name, your product, your brand. If they can’t find you? That raises a red flag.
Your website doesn’t need to be big. Even a single, well-written page builds trust, adds legitimacy and says: “We’re real. We’re ready. We’re serious.”
75% of consumers admit to judging a business’s credibility based on its website.
Source: Stanford Web Credibility Research
A basic but well-done homepage can:
- Make it easy to understand what you do
- Show a few key testimonials or photos
- Offer a clear way to get in touch or book
You mention your business in a networking group or get your first bit of PR. People search for you. There’s nothing to click. That’s momentum lost.
2. Socials Are Great (But You Don’t Own Them)
You’ve probably heard this before, but we’ll say it louder:
Your Instagram is not your business.
Algorithms change. Accounts get flagged or hacked. One bad update and your visibility drops overnight. That’s a risky game for any business, especially one just starting out.
Your website? That’s yours.
You get to decide what it looks like, what it says, and how people move through it. It’s your shop window, not someone else’s rented billboard.
Social posts disappear in a scroll. A website stays searchable, saveable, and sendable.
3. You’re Missing Opportunities (You Don’t Even Know About)
Let’s say someone loves what you do. They want to book, buy or get in touch. But there’s no clear next step.
They scroll. Click around. Can’t find a link.
So they move on.
A website makes things easy. It turns “I like this” into “I want this.” Whether it’s a form, a booking link, a price guide or a few glowing testimonials – the little things matter.
Even adding a basic lead form can increase conversions by up to 300% (Source: Hubspot)
Don’t make people work to connect with you. Most won’t.
4. It Doesn’t Need to Be Fancy (Just Clear)
We get it. When you picture a website, you might imagine big animations, slick menus or pages and pages of content. But that’s not where you need to start.
You need something clear, considered and complete.
A website that covers the essentials, your story, your services, your proof and guides people to take action. You don’t need 15 pages or a complex build. You just need a solid, streamlined site that works hard without overcomplicating things.
What we build for most startups:
- A strong homepage that tells your story
- Clear service or product sections
- A contact or booking page that works
- Supporting content like testimonials, FAQs or social links
It’s not about size. It’s about clarity.
Start with a focused site that does the job. Then let it evolve as your business does.
5. It Makes You Look Legit
We all judge a business by its website.
If it looks like it hasn’t been updated since 2012 or it’s full of broken links? You’ll probably click away. Fast.
But a well-designed, simple website shows care, clarity and ambition. It gives your audience confidence in you and sometimes, that’s all it takes to turn interest into action.
“Having a website helped me feel like a proper business, not just a side project.” – A real thing one of our startup clients said, and probably what you’re thinking too.
Your website sends a message, whether you like it or not.
Bonus: You Can Have One Without Breaking the Bank
This is the part no one talks about because “affordable web design” often sounds like a red flag. But affordable doesn’t have to mean basic. Or boring. Or DIY.
You can get a great-looking, functional site that actually works, without draining your budget.
That’s the space we operate in at Glass: bold design, startup-friendly pricing, zero faff.
Ready to Have Something to Show Off?
Whether you’re launching tomorrow or still figuring it all out, let’s build something that feels like you. Something that makes your dream feel real.
