Does My Business Need a Website in 2026?
97% of consumers search online before choosing a local business. If you're not there, you're invisible.
By LMAW Team
The short answer: yes
If you're a local business in the UK — a plumber, hairdresser, cafe, or builder — you might think word of mouth is enough. And it used to be. But customer behaviour has changed dramatically.
97% of consumers now search online before choosing a local service. That's not a made-up stat. It's from BrightLocal's annual consumer survey, and it's been climbing every year.
What happens when someone searches for you
When a potential customer in Derby searches "plumber near me" or "best hairdresser in Nottingham", Google shows them a mix of results: Google Maps listings, websites, and review sites.
If you don't have a website, you're relying entirely on your Google Business Profile listing. And while that's better than nothing, businesses with websites consistently appear higher in search results.
"But I get all my work from referrals"
That's great — referrals are the best kind of lead. But here's what happens when someone gets your name from a friend:
- They Google your business name
- If they find a professional website, they call
- If they find nothing, they wonder if you're legitimate
Your website doesn't replace referrals. It validates them.
What a website actually costs
You might think getting a website means spending thousands. It doesn't. Modern platforms (like Let's Make A Website) can build a professional, mobile-friendly website for your business from £20/month — including the domain and email.
The bottom line
A website isn't a nice-to-have anymore. It's the digital equivalent of having a shop front. Without one, you're leaving money on the table every single day.