Here are 7 reasons why you need a website for your online business in 2021. If you are an online entrepreneur or considering starting an online business, having your own website is an important step in creating your own place on the Internet and in creating a cohesive, professional brand. There are so many benefits and reasons to have a website for your online business, but I’m sharing a few of the most important!
Watch: 7 Reasons You Need a Website for Your Business
1) Your website is completely your own.
If you’re creating content on social media or other platforms, those platforms are in control of that content and the way that content is shown to viewers. The platforms and their algorithms can change at any time, usually for the benefit of the platform itself. Social media is a great way to promote your business and grow your following, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you rely on if you want to take ownership of your business in the long run.
If you have a website, you can have full ownership of it (if you are self-hosted and/or own your domain name/URL). And YOU are in control of any and all changes you make to it. There are lots of hosting companies that have free hosting for your website and allow use of your own domain name, even with free hosting. (Domain names are pretty cheap! Starting around $8-12 per year. And it’s always good to lock down your business name at the beginning if you’d potentially want a website in the future.) You can also start with a free website platform and switch to self-hosted later on! You can check out the hosting sites I use for my website here.
2) Your website is a central hub for your business.
Your website is a place you can share anything and everything you are doing online for your business, whether you are a blogger/influencer or an online store owner. Your website can act as a digital resumé both for your followers/viewers and for potential clients and businesses looking to work with you in the future. It’s an easy, centralized way to showcase all-the-things you are doing in one place! And, unlike social media platforms, it’s completely customizable to any look and feel you want.
Having a website is also a big signal of how professional and established your business is, even if you’re just starting out! Your website can grow and improve as you do.
You can share all your other content, from Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube, or wherever, all in one place on your website. This makes it easy for people to find all your platforms and see what else you’re doing! If most of your viewers come from one main platform, it’s a great way to lead them to the other content or business you’re doing.
You can also make dedicated content for your website! In addition to sharing the content you’re already making elsewhere, you can make website-specific content if that’s something you’re interested in. Whether it’s blog posts, business updates, or email newsletters, there are lots of options for website-specific content. Which means more incentive for your followers to also follow your website!
3) Your website is completely customizable.
This is a big draw for creative entrepreneurs. In addition to your website being 100% your own, it’s also 100% customizable. Regardless of your level of design skills, there are lots of great options for designing a beautiful, branded, professional website that fits you and your business.
Your website is way more customizable than any other platform you’re using! It’s easier than ever to build an awesome website. It can always be updated over time! And if you’re intimidated to get started, there are lots of free platforms and free design themes and templates that make it super easy. Your website is customizable, timeless, and can showcase any and all the business you’re doing!
4) You can have an email newsletter and website followers separate from social media.
Even if people mainly follow you on one specific social platform, this is another great way to put your eggs in more than one basket and to not be reliant on any one social platform. You can provide exclusive content, coupons, and updates to those newsletter subscribers or blog followers. These people will be / are probably some of your most dedicated followers if they are following your website, which also makes them great potential customers for your business.
As a business owner, it’s comforting to have a place and set of followers that are somewhat insulated from the volatility of social media platforms. Regardless of how the algorithms or popularity of social media change, your website followers are completely your own and can follow along with any new things you’re doing!
5) Your website is not dependent on algorithms or changing social media platforms.
I mentioned this earlier, but it’s a huge reason that bloggers and social media influencers are drawn to creating an independent website. You can still utilize social media for your business, it’s just nice to have a place you can rely on that people can always find you, no matter what!
6) Your website is monetizable.
Excuse my pun, but this is sort of *priceless*. It feels repetitive to say, but it’s completely up to you to choose how you want to monetize your website. You have more flexibility and freedom to do this than on other social platforms, and the growth and earning potential is pretty unlimited. Whether you choose to run ads on your website, use affiliate links, or create sponsored content, your website can make money for you!
In addition to running your main online business through your website, it can also create passive income all on its own! My main goal for my blog monetization was to cover the costs of my yearly website and domain hosting. I was surprised how much I could actually make passively from my website, without having a huge following. This wasn’t a huge focus of my website early on, but it eventually developed into a nice little paycheck each month! Now that I’m working for myself full-time, any and all little things help!
7) You can have a website for any content or business type!
Whether you have an Etsy store, Instagram, social media business, or online shop, your website can be a part of it! And if you change or add businesses over time, they can all be supported on your website and people can find you there! It’s very easy to add new pages or features to your website as you change and grow, without having to start from scratch.
Final Thoughts
I hope this gave you some insight or inspiration to the many benefits of having an independent website dedicated to you and your business! I know it can be intimidating trying to start a website, but it truly is worth it in the end! Regardless of how you use your website, it’s a great versatile option for taking your business to the next level.
Wishing you all the best with your website and your business!
