Small businesses, the backbone of many economies, are evolving rapidly in the digital age.
With an online presence no longer being a luxury but a crucial necessity, it’s surprising to note that not all businesses have joined the digital bandwagon.
Does it intrigue you to learn what percentage of small businesses actually have a website?
Dive into our comprehensive analysis as we lift the veil on the digital world of small businesses.
Key Statistics
- 73% of small businesses have their own website
- 40% of Small Business Owners Have a website to Appear in Search Engine Results
- 70%-80% of People Research a Company Before Making a Purchase or Visiting
- 55% of People Search Online for Reviews and Recommendations Before Making a Purchase
- 30% of People Would Rather Return to a Website They’ve Purchased from in the Past
- 19% of Small Business Owners Believe Their Business Would Grow 25% in 3 Years or Less with a Website
- 71% of People Believe They Get a Better Deal Online, even if the Item Isn’t on Sale
What Percentage of Small Businesses Have a Website in 2025?
1. 73% of Small Businesses Have Their Own Website
In today’s digital age, 73% of small businesses have their own websites, leaving a notable 27% without an online presence.
Despite the expansive reach and growth opportunities that the internet offers, this portion of businesses are yet to leverage these benefits.
Websites serve as digital storefronts that boost visibility, enhance credibility, facilitate transactions, and enable local search discoverability.
The lack of a website might indicate barriers such as technical knowledge gaps or cost concerns.
(Source: Zippia)
2. 29% of Small Businesses Plan to Use a Website for Marketing
According to PR Newswire, 29% of small businesses plan on using their websites for marketing.
That’s almost one in three small businesses recognizing that a website is more than just an online storefront; it’s a powerful marketing tool.
Websites can help businesses climb the search engine ranks, reach more potential customers, and share engaging content.
They’re also platforms for direct sales, lead generation, and even customer service.
(Source: PR Newswire)
3. 40% of Small Business Owners Have a website to Appear in Search Engine Results
This statistic emphasizes the role of a website in improving a company’s search engine optimization (SEO) and visibility on platforms like Google.
It indicates that many small business owners are leveraging their websites to increase their visibility in search engine results, thereby attracting more potential customers.
(Source: Expert Market)
4. 35% of Small Businesses Feel Their Operation is Too Small to Warrant a Website
Zippia reports that 35% of small businesses think they’re too petite to need a website.
That’s over a third of small businesses missing out on the vast opportunities a website can bring!
Even the smallest businesses can reap big benefits from having a website.
It’s like a 24/7 storefront, reaching customers far and wide, showcasing products or services, and even answering customers’ queries.
Plus, in this digital age, customers expect to see businesses online, and not finding one can raise eyebrows.
(Source: Zippia)
5. 58% of Small Businesses Without a Website Understand the Importance of Having One
According to Expert Market, 58% of small businesses without a website actually know they need one.
That’s more than half of these businesses realizing the value but not acting on it!
A website is like a 24/7 virtual storefront that helps businesses reach more customers and showcase what they offer.
However, barriers like cost, time, or technical know-how may stop businesses from creating their site.
(Source: Expert Market)
6. 72% of SMBs Have Increased Their Online Presence Over the Past Year
This statistic shows the growing importance of digital platforms in business marketing and operations.
It suggests that a significant number of small and medium businesses have increased their online presence, including social media, websites, email, and ads, over the past year.
(Source: Expert Market)
Online Shopping and Consumer Behavior
7. 70%-80% of People Research a Company Before Making a Purchase or Visiting
Blue Corona reveals that 70-80% of people do some online sleuthing about a company before they make a purchase or visit.
That’s about three out of every four potential customers who want to know more about you before they commit.
This stat shows just how vital it is for businesses to have a strong online presence. Today’s consumers are savvy and want to make informed decisions.
They’ll visit your website, read reviews, and browse your social media.
They want to know who you are, what you offer, and if others trust you.
(Source: Blue Corona)
8. 23% of Small Retail Business Owners in the US Still Don’t Have a Website
Digital.com found out that almost a quarter of small retail business owners in the US, a whopping 23%, still don’t have a website.
This might seem surprising, especially in a world where online shopping is basically the new normal.
You’d think every retailer, no matter how small, would want to cash in on the online shopping boom.
But, despite the trend, it seems some businesses are still missing out on the benefits of going digital.
(Source: Digital.com)
9. 71% of SMB Leaders Say Their Customers Expect Online Transactions
This statistic indicates the increasing demand for online shopping and digital services among consumers.
It shows that a significant number of small and medium business leaders believe that their customers expect the ability to conduct transactions online.
(Source: Expert Market)
10. 55% of People Search Online for Reviews and Recommendations Before Making a Purchase
The KPMG report highlights that 55% of people will search online for reviews and recommendations before making a purchase.
This statistic underscores the importance of online reputation management and customer reviews for businesses.
It also indicates the role of digital platforms in influencing consumer purchasing decisions.
(Source: KPMG)
11. 41% of Small Business Owners Use Websites to Broaden Brand Visibility
This statistic highlights the importance of a website in enhancing a company’s online presence and reach.
It shows that a significant number of small business owners understand the role of a website in expanding their brand’s visibility, thereby reaching a wider audience.
(Source: Expert Market)
12. 71% of SMBs Survived the Pandemic Due to Digitization
Hold on to your hats because this stat is a biggie.
A huge 71% of small and medium businesses (SMBs) managed to ride out the storm of the pandemic, all thanks to digitization.
Impressive, right?
It’s clear that digital platforms, like websites and social media, were the lifeline for these businesses when physical doors had to close.
They offered a way to stay connected with customers, keep sales going, and even reach new audiences.
This stat goes to show that digitization isn’t just a fancy tech buzzword.
It’s a real, tangible lifeline for businesses in tough times. It’s the difference between sinking or swimming when things get rough.
(Source: Expert Market)
Small Business Website Development and Management
13. 46% of Small Businesses Manage Websites In-house
Nearly half (46% to be exact) of small businesses are rolling up their sleeves and managing their websites in-house, as PR Newswire reports.
This means that a considerable number of these businesses are choosing to control their digital footprint directly rather than hiring outside help.
This shift might be due to a variety of reasons.
Maybe it’s the rise of user-friendly website builders, which make it easier for non-tech-savvy individuals to create and maintain a website.
Or perhaps it’s about having more control over the narrative and direct communication with the customers.
However, it’s important to remember that managing a website is not just about the technical side.
It’s also about keeping the content fresh, making sure the site is search engine optimized, and analyzing traffic data to make informed decisions.
(Source: PR Newswire)
14. 86% of Small Businesses Without a Website Plan to Build One in the Next Few Years
According to PR Newswire, 86% of small businesses without a website plan to build one in the next few years.
This indicates a growing awareness among small businesses about the importance of having an online presence in today’s digital age.
(Source: PR Newswire)
15. 94% of Small Business Websites are Mobile-Friendly
In today’s digital age, where a significant portion of internet traffic comes from mobile devices, having a mobile-friendly website is crucial.
According to the data, 94% of small business websites are mobile-friendly, indicating that businesses are recognizing the importance of providing a good user experience on mobile devices.
(Source: Review42)
16. Companies Plan to Invest in Mobile Capabilities (37%), Embeddable Videos on Web Pages (31%), Load Time/Page Speed (28%), Dark Mode (26%), and Chatbots (20%)
Prepare to be amazed because businesses aren’t just satisfied with having a basic website.
They’re going all in, according to PR Newswire.
They’re looking to amp up their game by investing in several features to boost their websites’ functionality and user experience.
Here’s the rundown: A significant 37% are focusing on mobile capabilities, given the rise in mobile browsing.
Next up, 31% are looking to embed videos on their web pages – an engaging way to grab attention.
About 28% are prioritizing load time and page speed, critical factors in retaining users and improving SEO rankings.
Dark mode is on the agenda for 26%, aligning with the latest design trends and enhancing user comfort.
And let’s not forget chatbots, with 20% recognizing their value in instant customer engagement and support.
(Source: PR Newswire)
E-commerce and Online Sales
17. 20% of Companies Build Websites to Allow Customers to Make Purchases Online
PR Newswire reports that 20% of companies build websites to allow customers to make purchases online.
This shows the importance of e-commerce in today’s business landscape, as more and more consumers prefer to shop online.
(Source: PR Newswire)
18. 9.1 Million Businesses Sell Their Products Online
Etailingsights reports that 9.1 million businesses sell their products online.
This shows the widespread adoption of e-commerce among businesses, highlighting the importance of having an online presence in today’s digital age.
(Source: Etailingsights)
19. 30% of People Would Rather Return to a Website They’ve Purchased from in the Past
According to the WPForms report, 30% of people would rather return to a website they’ve purchased from in the past.
This statistic emphasizes the importance of providing a positive and memorable customer experience to encourage repeat business.
It also highlights the value of customer loyalty in online business.
(Source: WPForms)
20. 33% of Small Business Owners Use Their Website to Convert Sales
This statistic indicates the role of a website in driving a company’s revenue and growth.
It shows that a significant number of small business owners are leveraging their websites to convert visitors into customers, thereby increasing their sales.
(Source: Expert Market)
Other Statistics on What Percentage of Small Businesses Have a Website
21. 38% of Small Business Owners Use Their Website to Establish Credibility
This statistic shows the significance of a website in building a company’s reputation and trust among its customers.
It suggests that a considerable number of small business owners understand the importance of a website in demonstrating their business’s credibility, trustworthiness, and authenticity.
(Source: Expert Market)
22. 19% of Small Business Owners Believe Their Business Would Grow 25% in 3 Years or Less with a Website
This statistic shows the perceived value of having a website among small business owners.
19% of small business owners who currently don’t have a website believe that their business would grow by 25% in 3 years or less if they had a website.
This indicates the high potential growth that businesses can achieve through an online presence.
(Source: WPForms)
23. 23% of People Will Abandon Their Carts Immediately if You’ve Made It Necessary to Create an Account at Checkout
This statistic highlights a common issue that can lead to cart abandonment in online shopping.
If a website requires users to create an account at checkout, 23% of people will abandon their carts immediately.
This suggests that businesses should offer guest checkout options to reduce cart abandonment and increase conversions.
(Source: saleslion.io)
24. 71% of People Believe They Get a Better Deal Online, even if the Item Isn’t on Sale
This statistic shows the perceived value of online shopping among consumers.
71% of people believe they get a better deal online, even if the item isn’t on sale.
This perception can be a driving factor for businesses to establish an online presence and offer their products or services online.
(Source: Review42)
FAQs
Why Is Having a Website Important for Small Businesses?
Having a website is important for small businesses as it enhances brand visibility, establishes credibility, and enables online transactions.
It allows businesses to reach a wider audience and showcase their products and services.
Do Customers Research Businesses Online Before Making a Purchase?
Yes, a significant percentage of customers research businesses online before making a purchase or visiting a physical store.
Having a website helps businesses provide information and build trust with potential customers.
How Can Businesses Reduce Cart Abandonment on Their Websites?
To reduce cart abandonment, businesses should offer a seamless and user-friendly checkout process.
Simplifying the steps required to complete a purchase, providing clear pricing and shipping information, and offering guest checkout options can help minimize cart abandonment rates.
How Can Online Reviews and Recommendations Benefit Small Businesses?
Online reviews and recommendations play a vital role in building trust and credibility for small businesses.
Positive reviews can attract new customers and enhance the business’s reputation, while negative reviews provide valuable feedback for improvement.
Conclusion
The statistics reveal that a significant percentage of customers research businesses online before making a purchase or visiting a physical store.
Having a website allows businesses to provide information about their products and services, showcase their expertise, and build a positive online reputation through customer reviews and recommendations.
During the pandemic, businesses that embraced digitization and had an online presence were better equipped to survive and thrive.
This article on what percentage of small businesses have a website show that a majority of small businesses recognize the importance of having a website and plan to create one.
Having a website is not just an option but a necessity for small businesses.
It provides an opportunity to expand the customer base, enhance brand visibility, establish credibility, and drive sales growth.
By leveraging the power of a website, small businesses can adapt to the digital landscape, meet customer expectations, and position themselves for long-term success.