A few months back, I had a client pose this question:

“Can you explain to me why I need a website?”

She was able to get a fairly consistent stream of clients through DMs on social media, and said she wasn’t sure a website was worth the investment and effort. The truth is, I totally understand where she was coming from.

She was right. A website is a big investment, not just financially but energetically. When you decide to create a website to share your work, you are investing deeply in yourself, your message, and your business. That kind of investment is powerful, and it pays off. And for the record, you and your business are worth it!

A website is by far one of the best investments you can make if you are serious about growing your business, especially as a creative, coach, or online service provider. Did you know that websites with blogs can generate up to 67% more leads?

Social media is an important piece of the puzzle for online entrepreneurs and service providers. It can be a powerful way to increase brand awareness and develop connections with your audience. That being said, if you really want to build trust, increase your leads and sales, and keep clients coming back, you need a website too.

Social media alone is not enough to grow and scale an online business over time. In fact, most small business owners I know spend hours on social media without much to show for it, and would really like to spend less time there.

Your website is one of the essential pieces you need to spending so much time on social media and build an audience of your own online.

I know, I know, the thought of creating an entire website is daunting! That being said, investing in a professional website is no longer a luxury for entrepreneurs and small businesses, it’s a must.

Here are five reasons you really do need a website in today’s digital market:

1. Claim Your Work

In online business, you own your website and your email list. When it comes to social media, the platform, along with all of your content, is owned by the corporation. Claim your work, babe!

Having your own website means that your your content and creative work belongs to you. You have complete control over your website, and you can ensure that your content lives on a platform that you own and control.

Do you want all of your creative work to be living on borrowed corporate land? Probably not.

2. Create a Brand Experience

A website provides a strong energetic container for your online business. Unlike social media accounts, a website allows for a more expansive expression of who you are and what you do.

This allows visitors to connect with you in a deeper way and can lead to stronger relationships with potential clients or customers. Your website is a place where you can showcase your work, express your values, and create a community around your brand.

Your website is a place where you can express your creativity and showcase your unique style. A website elevates your work to a whole different level, making it more memorable and helping you stand out in a crowded online space.

3. Build Trust with Your Audience

Having a website can help to cultivate a sense of professionalism that builds trust with potential clients or customers. When you invest in a website, you are showing yourself, and the world, that you are taking yourself seriously as a creative and that you aren’t going anywhere.

Social media is rife with scams and consumers are naturally more skeptical in that space. A professional website can help establish you as an authority in your industry.

By demonstrating your expertise and providing valuable content, you can build trust with potential customers and position yourself as a thought leader in your field.

4. Rely Less on Social

Social media is an essential element of online business, but it can also be overwhelming and distracting. Having a website lets you tune out the energetic noise of social spaces and focus on long-form content housed on your website.

You can then use snippets of that content to share on social media, shifting the focus back towards your own creative work. This allows you to have more control over your online presence and gives you the space to create content that truly represents your brand.

5. Get a Bigger Slice of the Pie

Social media alone is not enough to scale your business over time. Over 90% of website traffic is generated by search engines, as opposed to 6-7% from social media platforms. And did you catch that statistic about generating nearly 70% more leads?

Your audience is searching Google every day, and if you aren’t there you’re missing out. The content you create on your website is searchable for years to come, meaning that you get a lot more bang for your buck when it comes to time and effort.

Having a website is crucial for any online business owner who wants to establish credibility, cultivate a strong brand identity, and create a community around their brand. A website provides a platform that you own and control, allows for a more expansive expression of who you are and what you do. A well-designed website gives you the space to create content that truly represents your brand and reaches more of your best-fit clients and customers.

If you are ready to take the leap into making your website dreams a reality, take the first step and download our free brand visioning workbook!