I wrote this article for those who are hesitant about investing in a new website.
Clients often approach me with questions like, “Hey Tom, we love your work, but is spending $5,000 on a website really worth it?”
My answer? Absolutely—and not just because I work as a web designer.
“Evidence says, that every penny invested in your website is worth it!”
Let me walk you through compelling reasons, backed by studies, to show why investing in your website might be the best decision you can make today for your business.
Reason 1: Your website is a 24/7 sales machine
Your website is a sales machine.
It never takes breaks, works 24/7, and keeps going even while you sleep.
It’s a privilege to have a site that does the heavy lifting for your business, all day, every day.
I’ve experienced this firsthand. As a freelance web designer, I used to rely on the cold outreach via email.
Here is a short cold e-mail I used to send few years back:
While it worked to some extent, and it landed multiple jobs for me, it was from the large part a numbers game—tedious and time-consuming.
So, I decided to create a website. Large part of this website are service pages such as “web design for biotech” or “web design for therapists“. These pages are optimized and tailored to match what people are searching for when they need a web designer or agency.
Now, instead of me chasing clients, they find me on Google and reach out directly. Simple, effective, and game-changing.
“Hey Tom, we love your portfolio! Could you help us with the redesign of our website?” – and that’s a warm lead that I can convert into paying client. How much more effective right?
Now imagine your new website, that is optimized for conversion and getting as many leads as possible.
What kind of impact would that have on your business?
Well let’s use a simple math. Let’s say you have a lawn care company.
On average, you make $250 per client.
With a professionally designed website optimized for local SEO, you could rank high on Google search results. If 5,000 people visit your site and 5% contact you, that’s 250 leads. Closing just 10% of those means 25 new clients, bringing in $6,250 in revenue. Plus, in services like lawn care, satisfied customers often become repeat clients, boosting long-term earnings.
You see? Your website is a nonstop sales machine, generating revenue without you knocking on doors. Whether you sell services, physical products, or digital goods, the principle is the same—it works tirelessly for your business.
Keep in mind that creating a website isn’t just about having an online presence. It requires careful design and SEO optimization to truly perform. A website alone isn’t enough—it must be tailored to attract visitors and convert them effectively.
Reason 2: Everybody is online
The internet is an integral part of life today.
According to Statista, around 68% of the global population use the internet in 2024. This is a significant jump from 53% in 2019, demonstrating the rapid digital shift in just a few years.
That’s huge.
Days, when you could get by without having a website are gone (except some exceptions).
You can definitely run your business without having one. But why would you limit yourself? There is absolutely no reason why your company shouldn’t have a proper online presence. Everything is becoming digital (already is).
Having a professional, optimized website ensures you’re visible in this vast digital marketplace.
Reason 3: Using overused template won’t help in the long run
While website templates can be a quick fix for creating an online presence, they come with significant limitations. Templates are also overused, which means your website might look just like countless others.
However, if you are truly low on the budget – this might be your best bet.
Even if clients come to me and tell me “Tom, we would like to work with you but our budget is only $500”.
My reaction is to always recommend in that case some template that they can customize by using WordPress builder Elementor. Themes typically range from $10 to $150, offering an affordable way to create a functional site. This allows them to allocate the remaining budget toward PPC campaigns and marketing efforts, which can help drive traffic and generate leads right away.
But – if your business is already doing revenue, or you have bigger budget, customized tailored website is your best option.
You see… templates often fall short when it comes to optimization—whether for SEO, loading speed, or user experience. A custom-designed website tailored to your specific goals and audience offers far greater opportunities for growth, better branding, and improved performance. In the long run, it’s an investment that pays for itself by attracting and retaining customers more effectively.
Reason 4: Effective marketing with SEO / PPC
Another reason is that a well-optimized website is a powerful marketing tool, especially when paired with effective SEO and PPC strategies.
By optimizing your website for SEO (Search Engine Optimization), you can drive free organic traffic from search engines like Google. SEO focuses on making your site visible to people searching for relevant topics, services, or products.
For example, let’s say you are a wedding photographer in Miami and you have a website. You would want to optimize your homepage for main keyword “Wedding photographer Miami”, so when people search that phrase, you will come up in first position.
Majority of people click on first result, then second and on and on.
According to this source almost 40% of users click on first organic result (not ad result). That means if there are around 10,000 monthly searches in Miami that look for photographer, you will get around 4,000 just to your website. And that’s without any $ spent! This means that a well-optimized site can continuously generate leads and sales for free, just by ranking high in search results.
While SEO is a long-term strategy, you also can utilize PPC campaigns on Google.
They allow you allow you to target specific audiences and keywords, ensuring immediate visibility. When paired with an SEO strategy, PPC can complement organic efforts, ensuring you’re reaching users at every stage of their search journey.
You wouldn’t be able to do all of this without any website.
Reason 5: Your competition is already online
In today’s digital world, the majority of businesses have already established a strong online presence.
From local shops to large corporations, they are all vying for the attention of your potential customers.
“If your business isn’t online, you’re not just missing out on opportunities—you’re handing them directly to your competitors.”
Studies show that 64% of small businesses have a website. These businesses use their online platforms to connect with customers, showcase their products or services, and drive sales.
By not having a website—or by having an outdated or ineffective one—you risk falling behind competitors who are actively leveraging their sites to grow.
The takeaway? Investing in a professional website is no longer optional; it’s essential to stay competitive and capture your share of the market.