Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. According to the Small Business Administration, these types of enterprises provide almost 50 percent of all employment in the private sector as well as make up 99.7 percent of all employers in the United States. These enterprises are a valuable source of employment and finances, not only to the public but also to the government.

However, the recent pandemic has put an enormous strain on small businesses. A survey revealed that 43 percent of small businesses have temporarily closed to comply due to community restrictions or to protect their employees. Now more than ever, small businesses need every advantage they can get to stay in operation.

But approximately 45 percent of small business don’t have one of the most important tools they need to survive: a business website.

Small Business Websites

A business website acts as a your digital storefront, ideally providing customers with a portal through which they can purchase your products but also serve as a source of information about your business. It’s an essential tool to expand your business in the 21st century.

However, a survey of small business in the country revealed that a shocking 45 percent of small businesses don’t even have their own website. Even more perplexing is that when entrepreneurs do have their own websites, only a third of them use it to convey important information to their customers.

But before you can explore how best to utilize a website to ensure the profitability of your business, you first need to overcome the common myths that prevent people from building them in the first place.

A Few Common Misconceptions

Some of the most challenging obstacles to building a website for your business aren’t practical considerations. Instead, they’re common misconceptions that stop businessowners from considering building websites in the first place. Here are a few of the most common misconceptions about business website for small enterprises and why they’re false.

1. Building a Site is Expensive

Small businesses sometimes operate on razor-thin budgets and are very careful on where they spend each cent. Building a dedicated website for your business may seem like a massive drain on your finances. However, there are now plenty of professionals and freelancers who can build a site for affordable prices. These companies can help you craft a site that appeals to your target market as well as showcase your goods and services effectively. There are plenty of e-commerce sites that also simply provide business with a platform to sell products that aren’t full websites. This offers an even more cost-effective option for small businesses.

2. It’s Difficult to Maintain a Site

Websites require a lot of coding to continue operating and they also have plenty of complicated parts. Websites need to be updated regularly to ensure they contain accurate information. It may seem all too much for a small business to handle. However, just like there are companies that build websites, there are also businesses that offer site maintenance. Some offer maintenance services for specific hosting sites such as WordPress care plans and others have more extensive coverage. These site maintenance and monitoring services are often just as affordable as site building.

3. It’s Hard to Build Your Own Site

Sometimes businesses may consider building their own sites, whether because the owners are really operating on a shoestring budget or because they have a very specific vision. Some people may be daunted at the prospect of such an endeavor and indeed it does require some finesse. Approximately 94 percent of customers expect smooth navigation in business sites. Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to create an effective, attractive and lucrative business website. Hosting platforms sometimes offer templates that only require business to plug in images and text for their use. There are also dozens of effective tutorials not just on the details of building a site but also on website design and optimization.

4. My Company Isn’t Big Enough Yet

Small businesses can range from enterprises that employ a few dozen people to a handful of workers. A survey revealed 35 percent of businessowners with fewer than 5 employees think their operations are too small for a website. However, business can’t rely on word of mouth to establish a presence and arranging for orders over social media platforms is highly inefficient. Building a website is the best option for improving the profitability and efficacy of your business. If you want your business to become successful, building a site is one of the best ways to ensure it.

More and more aspects of commerce are migrating to the digital landscape and without a business website, your enterprise can be left behind. A website not only helps establish your online presence, it also makes it easier for your business to adapt to the new normal and digital reality.