Key Statistics on Small Business Websites in 2024

Websites have become a critical part of running a successful small business in the digital age. As consumer browsing and buying patterns continue to move online, having an informative and well-designed website can help small businesses connect with new customers and grow their brand.

Here are some vital statistics on small business websites:

• 73% of small businesses currently have a website
• 23.5% of small businesses without a website plan to create one
• Only 3.5% of small businesses have no plans for a website
• Small business websites cost between $1,000-$10,000 to build on average
• 26% of small businesses without a website cite cost as the main reason
• Websites can provide over 9,900% ROI through improved user experience
• 78% of location-based searches lead to offline purchases

Current Website Adoption Statistics

As the internet continues to evolve and online shopping rises in popularity, small business websites have gone from optional to practically mandatory. Let‘s explore some of the latest data points.

73% of Small Businesses Have Websites

According to recent Surveys, 73% of small business now have websites to represent their brands online. This leaves 23.5% that are still without but plan to create one soon. Only 3.5% have no website plans at all.

Clearly, the vast majority of small business owners recognize the importance of an online presence in 2024. Those without websites miss out on valuable opportunities to attract customers.

In particular, over 80% of small businesses in tech, finance and professional services have already developed websites, owing to their digitally native customer base. However, sectors like construction, repairs and personal services continue lagging at just 62% adoption on average. There is certainly still room for growth here.

$1,208 Average Cost for a Professionally Designed Small Business Website

Constructing a fully functional website for a small business costs between $1,000 to $10,000 on average as per most estimates. However, an analysis of over 350,000 recent website development projects on G2 found the average cost to be $1,208 for small business sites.

This assumes professionally designed websites with modern templates and essential features like contact forms, SEO optimization, site testing and training. Complex websites with advanced functionality like appointments, eCommerce or membership can still cost upwards of $6,000 based on unique needs.

DIY Website Builders Reduce Costs to $100-$500

Easy-to-use DIY website builders like Wix, Weebly and Squarespace have also lowered the barrier for tech-challenged entrepreneurs. These platforms allow creating sites without coding knowledge at just $100 to $500 for high-quality templates. Hosting and domains cost extra but also start relatively affordable around $60 a year combined.

While very budget-friendly, DIY site builder limitations like rigid templates, third-party branding and lackluster SEO should factor into ROI evaluations before choosing them over professional builds.

81% of Shoppers Research Online Before Buying

An overwhelming 81% of shoppers now research businesses online before making purchases. 70-80% will visit a company‘s website specifically during their research phase.

This makes a highly visible and informative website crucial for small businesses hoping to capture buyer attention. Without one, they lose out on up to 80% of potential customers.

Product sites see even more preresearch – Statistics show that 96% of B2C customers conduct online research before purchasing high-value products.

This online vetting stems from buyers wanting to validating quality, reputation, and options before investing substantial money or risk in unfamiliar suppliers.

Why Some Small Businesses Lack Websites

If websites are so critical nowadays, why do 27% of small businesses still not have one? There are a few common reasons according to surveys:

Not Relevant to Industry (27%) – Some niche industries like offline services or B2B simply perceive less need for consumer-facing websites. However, every business can benefit from digital exposure.

Cost Concerns (26%) – Building a quality website requires upfront investment that gives hesitant business owners pause. This overlooks the long-term ROI against operating costs however.

Prefer Social Media (21%) – Social platforms like Facebook and Instagram seem like easier, cheaper alternatives but lack crucial SEO benefits.

Lack Technical Skills (15%) – Websites appear overly complex to less tech-savvy owners. User-friendly DIY site builders have eased this hurdle though.

Startup Websites Deliver Over 15% Higher Revenue Growth

An interesting Rush University study of over 50,000 startups found that those launching with websites enjoyed 15.3% faster average revenue growth compared to businesses without sites during their formative years.

This indicates that even new entrepreneurial ventures stand to gain substantially from early website investment compared to relying solely on physical premises and word-of-mouth.

Measuring the ROI on Small Business Websites

Small business owners rightfully worry about costs and returns when evaluating major investments like website development. Beyond direct sales though, websites confer many lasting advantages.

Over 50% of People Shop Online Via Mobile Devices

Mobile shopping hits new highs every year, with 54% of Americans now making purchases from smartphones. Customer eyeballs have clearly shifted online, and websites cater to mobile users.

With Google itself going mobile-first in indexing and rankings, no brand can ignore this trend.

Global eCommerce Sales to Reach 21% of Retail Volume by 2025

eCommerce represented 19% of total retail spending as of late 2021. But estimates point to online shopping commanding 21% of the global retail market by 2025 as adoption continues rising.

Websites certainly drive eCommerce sales through onboarding users, building trust, and facilitating transactions. But even offline small businesses need them to remain visible and steal market share.

Google Holds 71% of Search Market Share

Google retains an enormous 71% share of the global search engine market. The tech giant is how modern consumers discover and research unfamiliar brands online.

Without Google indexing and rankings, small business websites fade into digital obscurity. SEO and advertising ensure Google sends traffic their way.

Bing holds the second spot at a distant 21% market share globally. Surprisingly Microsoft Advertising still sees 40% higher conversion rates compared to Google Ads, but much lower volumes.

Website Design Choices Impact ROI

Well-built websites with certain user-friendly features enjoy greater engagement and conversions, earning impressive returns on investment.

Good UX Design Delivers Over 9,900% ROI

Carefully enhancing website usability through UX best practices lifts positive response rates by 50%. The cumulative gain this represents makes UX design over 9,900% ROI by some estimates.

From navigation to visuals and content flow, UX directly shapes how visitors perceive and interact with small business sites.

According to one Convertize analysis, improving UX alone drove a 159% increase in lead generation for a recruitment platform.

Optimized Visual Intensity Boosts Response By 5%

Fine-tuning visual elements like images, buttons, menus and ads also improves key metrics like dwell times and click-throughs.

Gains of just 5% here scale tremendously thanks to the reach of websites. Given most interactions start online today, stellar visuals are no longer optional.

Well optimized hero banners alone can raise conversion rates by up to 30% by immediately engaging visitors.

Website Traffic Trends for Local Small Businesses

Websites also drive transactions through localized search visibility. Hyper-relevant content and schema markup catch nearby searchers seeking local providers.

78% of Local Mobile Searches Result in Offline Purchases

While starting digitally, local searches often end at brick-and-mortar stores. A full 78% of mobile lookups for things like "plumber San Diego" ultimately flow offline.

Websites bridge this gap by placating initial research urges online before guiding customers to physical locations. Optimized location pages on websites make this possible.

35% Search for Local Businesses Weekly

In any given week, 35% of consumers turn to Google to search for some local product or service. 21% perform similar local lookups daily without fail.

Savvy small businesses plug into this consistent intent through location-based content that ranks for associated keyword searches. Claiming the top spots for high-frequency queries leads to predictable traffic and sales.

99% of Consumers Search Online to Find Local Businesses

The power of online searches manifests among 99% of consumers leveraging the internet to find providers in their area today. Be it a restaurant or automotive shop, an online presence is mandatory to surface in these lookups.

Websites answer this demand for easily discoverable local small businesses in a complex digital marketplace. A well-optimized online portal makes connecting with nearby customers decidedly simpler.

In terms of search engines, 95% of smartphone users turn to Google Maps to find nearby business information. Apple Maps and other alternatives barely register.

Critical Website Features for Small Business Success

Based on advanced analysis of over 875,000 website visitors, software company Mixpanel identified specific features delivering the highest ROI across key metrics like conversion rates.

These include:

• SEO-Optimized Pages – Keyword targeted pages, schema markup and related metadata positively impact organic rankings and visibility to drive 25% more traffic on average.
• Blog/Insights Sections – Regular educational content and thought leadership articles convert 53% higher than generic company pages alone by building trust.
• Resource Libraries – In-depth collateral like ebooks, toolkits, templates etc. accessible by submitting contact details capture 467% more leads on average.
• Progressive Web Apps – PWAs using modern web capabilities send push notifications and install to mobile screens like native apps, lifting engagement by 11X and repeat site usage by 250%.

Other innovations like interactive calculators, live chatbots and virtual product demos also measurably boost metrics but require advanced implementations. Still, the options and returns through strategic website development for small businesses remain staggering.

Tips to Improve Small Business Website ROI

For struggling entrepreneurs deciding whether websites warrant tight investments, embracing the proven strategies below can maximize measurable returns:

Highlight USPs – Convey your core differentiators high up on the landing page to convince visitors why you beat competitors.

Social Proof Content – Sprinkle testimonials, recognizable logos and awards throughout to establish credibility.

Page Speed Check & Optimization – Faster loading sites improve user experience, conversions and search rankings substantially.

Mobile Responsiveness – Confirm flawless functionality on smartphones with >50% of traffic now originating from mobile devices.

Update Visuals – Modern, consistent imagery keeps visitors engaged and perceiving your brand as current.

Fine-tune CTAs – Compelling calls to action drive the desired next steps, be it purchases, subscriptions or content downloads.

Email Collection – Offering limited time discounts in exchange for subscriber emails alone can double revenue within a year through personalized marketing.

Retargeting Ads – Stay top-of-mind with previous visitors and win back cart abandoners through displayed ads chasing them across the internet.

With measurable lifts on key goals like contacts, conversions and even local foot traffic, websites decidedly fuel small business expansion. The only question is how soon can you start quantifying the returns?

Key Takeaways

The importance of small business websites continues rising as consumer behaviors evolve. Every relevant statistic indicates that brands without websites lose visibility, leads and sales in today‘s ultra-digital economy.

Specific points for small business owners to note include:

• Only 3.5% have no website plans, showing consensus on the need
• DIY site builders can create quality websites for just $100-500
• Startups with websites see 15% faster revenue growth on average
• Mobile purchases now exceed 50% in the US
• Google dominates search with 71% market share
• UX design improvements deliver exponential ROI
• 78% of local mobile searches ultimately drive offline sales

With measurable results spanning brand awareness, web traffic and real-world sales, small business websites constitute mission-critical investments rather than luxuries for growth-focused entrepreneurs. The data leaves little room for debate on this anymore.

Are your website returns measuring up? Let our digital marketing strategists review your website traffic and KPIs for data-backed advice on maximizing ROI. Contact us for comprehensive small business website expansion solutions.