Why Your Business Needs a Website That Works for You
When I first started my photography business years ago, one of the best decisions that I made was to invest time into building a website that could grow with me. It wasn’t just a place to display my work. It became my digital home base. Over the 10+ years that I’ve had my Squarespace site, I’ve connected my marketing channels to it in ways that save me hours every month and allow me to serve my clients better.
Having a website means my blog lives there as a searchable resource library, my email list has a permanent opt-in home, and my long-form content can be linked to again and again. Every time I create something new, I know I can repurpose it into shorter content for social media, but it all starts and stays with my website. That’s the foundation that lets my marketing work for me even when I’m not online.
Your Website as Your Digital Home Base
I’ve said this before in Why Your Business Needs an Evergreen Resource Library: your website is the hub where everything else connects. Without it, your marketing is scattered across platforms you don’t own, and your audience has to dig to find information.
A website allows you to:
Keep all your important details in one reliable place
Share accurate, updated information without relying on social media algorithms
Make your expertise and offers easy to find for both current and potential clients
Build a direct connection between your blog, email list, and other marketing tools
Lessons from the Workshop: Real-World Examples
When I led my first in-person marketing workshop, one takeaway stood out clearly. Many businesses still don’t have a website, and it’s costing them opportunities. Only about 20% of the attendees had an established site. The reasons were understandable: uncertainty about the return on investment, overwhelm at learning new technology while already busy, and concern that showing products online would lead to pressure to offer shipping or other services.
But here’s what we discussed:
Your website doesn’t need to be complex to be effective
It can be as simple as a one-page Squarespace site with your hours, location, services, and contact form
Without it, you’re relying solely on platforms like Facebook or Instagram, which many potential customers don’t use
Lack of a website can mean losing out on business simply because people can’t find the information they need
One attendee, a wellness product maker, realized how a website could pair with her blog to act as a sales supporter or post-purchase customer resource when she wasn’t physically present at her booth. We talked about creating posts that explained her products in detail, linking to related items, and using QR codes on her product tags to send customers straight to that resource. That simple system could work for her all year long without extra daily effort. Even if she isn’t selling her products online.
Why I Recommend Squarespace for Websites
Squarespace offers templates for nearly every need and budget. You can start with a simple, single-page design that covers your essentials, or build out a more robust site with a blog, shop, galleries, and additional resources.
Some of the benefits:
Professional, mobile-friendly templates that are easy to customize
Built-in blogging tools for your long-form content
Integrated email marketing features
Ability to expand over time without starting from scratch
Yes, it takes some time upfront to set up your site. But once it’s done, it’s an investment that keeps paying you back in time saved answering repeat questions, in the ability to repurpose your content, and in the credibility it adds to your brand.
Connecting Your Website to Your Marketing Ecosystem
Your website shouldn’t stand alone. It works best when it’s connected to:
Your blog for educational, searchable, and shareable resources
Your email list for direct, reliable communication with your audience (Why You Need an Email List for Your Business or Brand)
Your social media for short-form content that points people back to your home base
When you take the time to set up these connections, you’re creating a system that saves you time instead of eating it up. Even if you start small and add pieces over time, the payoff is worth it.
Don’t Let Overwhelm Stop You From Creating Your Website
In my workshop, I saw how lack of time and tech overwhelm can stop small businesses from setting up systems that would ultimately give them so much time back. Starting a Squarespace site can feel like a big task when you’re busy running the day-to-day, but it doesn’t have to happen all at once. Begin with the essentials, launch it, and build from there.
Your website is one of the only marketing tools you fully control. It’s where your audience can always find you, regardless of what’s happening on social media. And it’s the best place to house your content, offers, and resources in a way that works for you long term.
Final Encouragement
If you’ve been putting off building a website because it feels too big or too time-consuming, start small. A simple site is far better than no site at all. Once it’s up, you’ll see how it saves you time, adds credibility to your business, and makes it easier for people to connect with you.
And if you want ongoing encouragement, ideas, and support as you set up or improve your website, join me for The Friday Mix. Every week, I share practical tips and relatable insights to help small businesses and creatives market with clarity and confidence.
Because a strong online home is more than just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation for everything else you do.