The "websites don't matter anymore" crowd has been vocal lately. With social media, Google Business Profiles, and AI-powered search, do you even need a website in 2026?
Short answer: yes. And it matters more than ever.
The Numbers Are Clear
Stanford's Web Credibility Research found that 75% of consumers judge a business's credibility based on website design alone. That study is years old now — the bar has only risen since.
Here's where things stand in 2026:
- 88% of consumers research a business online before visiting in person or calling
- 57% of people won't recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site
- 53% of mobile visitors abandon a site that takes more than 3 seconds to load
- 47% of consumers expect a page to load in 2 seconds or less
For a dentist in London, Ontario, this means roughly half of potential new patients are forming their first impression from a website — before they ever step foot in the office.
Social Media Is Not a Substitute
"I just use Instagram" is something we hear constantly from local business owners. Social media is great for awareness, but it has real limitations:
- You don't own it. Algorithm changes can cut your reach overnight. Ask anyone who built their business on Facebook organic reach circa 2014.
- It's not searchable the same way. When someone searches "best bakery London Ontario," Google shows websites and map listings — not Instagram pages.
- It doesn't build the same trust. A polished website signals permanence. A business with only social profiles can feel fly-by-night, whether that's fair or not.
Your website is the one digital asset you fully control. The design, the content, the experience — it's all yours.
What "Good Enough" Actually Looks Like
You don't need to spend $20,000 on a custom website. But you do need to clear a basic bar:
- Fast. Under 3 seconds to load on mobile. No exceptions.
- Mobile-first. Over 60% of local searches happen on phones. If your site doesn't work on a 375px screen, you're losing customers.
- Secure. HTTPS is non-negotiable. Browsers actively warn visitors away from unencrypted sites.
- Accurate. Correct phone number, address, hours, and services. We've audited 184 businesses in London and found outdated information on nearly a third of them.
- Clear. A visitor should understand what you do and how to contact you within 5 seconds of landing on your site.
The Compound Effect of Neglect
Here's the part that catches business owners off guard: the cost of a bad website isn't a one-time loss. It compounds.
Every day your site is slow, broken, or outdated:
- Google ranks you lower, so fewer people find you
- Fewer visitors convert to leads or customers
- Competitors with better sites capture the traffic you're missing
- Reviews and word-of-mouth slow down because new customers aren't finding you
Over a year, a business with a poor web presence can lose hundreds of potential customer interactions — many of whom go directly to a competitor.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Test your site on your phone. Not your desktop — your phone. Navigate it honestly. Is it easy to use?
- Check your speed. Use Google PageSpeed Insights. If your mobile score is under 50, that's a problem.
- Verify your information. Call the phone number on your site. Check that your hours and address are correct.
- Look at your site through a stranger's eyes. If you didn't know your business, would the website convince you to get in touch?
Your website is working for you 24 hours a day — or it's working against you. There's no neutral position.
Check how your business stacks up in our directory, or get in touch for a free web presence audit.