20+ Essential Small Business Website Statistics [2026]: How Many Businesses Have A Website

Research Summary. In today’s digital landscape, having a robust online presence is crucial for small businesses aiming to remain competitive. As consumers increasingly turn to the internet for shopping and services, it’s evident that a website is more than just a digital brochure—it’s a vital tool for growth and customer engagement. Our updated research indicates that:

• 73% of small businesses currently maintain their own website.

• 81% of consumers conduct online research about a business prior to making a purchase, with 55% looking for online reviews and 47% seeking information on the business’s website.

• The typical cost for small businesses to develop a website ranges between $1,000 and $10,000.

• Approximately 99% of consumers utilize the internet to discover local businesses.

• 44% of B2B buyers abandon a small business website if contact information is not readily available.

For a deeper dive, we have categorized the data into the following sections:
Return on Investment | Local Traffic | Website User | Mobile vs. Desktop

Statistics on Small Businesses Without Websites

Despite the increasing adoption of websites, a significant portion of small businesses still operate without one. Given the reliance on the internet today, this can have detrimental effects on visibility and sales. Here are the insights:

• At least 29% of small businesses lack a website.

  However, approximately 23.5% of small business owners intend to create a website soon. Many hesitate due to concerns about the costs and fear that low website traffic won’t justify the investment.

• 40% of small businesses express no interest in having a website.

  Moreover, 28% indicate they likely won’t want one in the future. Common reasons include believing their business is too small, preferring social media for engagement, or viewing website costs as unjustifiable.

• Over 20% of small businesses utilize social media as a substitute for a website.

  While social media is a cost-effective option, it can limit lead generation, weaken branding, and undermine credibility.

• 27% of small businesses think a website is irrelevant to their industry.

  Additionally, 26% cite cost concerns, while 15% feel they lack the technical skills to create or manage a website.



• 35% of small businesses believe they are too small to need a website.

  This perception often ties to cost concerns, as many worry that a website won’t generate sufficient traffic to cover its expenses.

Websites for Small Businesses Return on Investment Statistics

For the 73% of small businesses investing in websites, understanding the return on that investment is crucial. Here are the findings from our research:

• 66% of small businesses spend less than $10,000 on website design, building, and launch.

  This indicates that many small business owners are managing to keep costs down, typically spending between $1,000 and $7,600, unless specialized features like booking systems are required, which can increase costs significantly.



• As of 2021, e-commerce sales accounted for 19% of global retail sales.

  This figure is projected to rise to over 25% by 2026, emphasizing the growing importance of websites for small businesses looking to tap into the online market.

• 54% of Americans utilize their mobile devices for online shopping.

  This indicates that having a mobile-friendly website is crucial for reaching potential customers and driving sales.

Small Business Website and Local Traffic Statistics

Driving traffic to a website is essential for small businesses to recoup their initial investment. Here are the key statistics:

• Roughly 99% of consumers use the internet to discover local businesses.

  In fact, 21% conduct online searches every day to find local options, with 35% doing so multiple times a week.



• Approximately 70% of website traffic originates from Google.

  Consequently, implementing strong Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies is critical for any small business to enhance visibility and attract visitors.



• At least 78% of location-based mobile searches lead to offline purchases.

  In fact, 18% of these searches result in a purchase within one day, indicating the immediacy of consumer intent.

• 62% of consumers share online deals with friends.

  Moreover, 81% trust recommendations from family and friends more than business advertisements, underscoring the importance of word-of-mouth marketing.

Small Business Website User Statistics

User experience plays a pivotal role in the effectiveness of a website. Insights from our research highlight the following:

• 38.5% of website visitors form their opinion based on their initial user experience.

  A strong first impression is crucial, as poor design can deter potential customers from engaging further.

• 76% of buyers are willing to share personal information for valuable content like white papers.

  This emphasizes the potential of informative content to engage users.

• 38% of customers disengage from a site lacking an appealing layout.

  Given the vast options available online, aesthetic appeal can significantly impact user retention.

• Nearly 40% of users will leave a slow-loading website.

  With expectations for load times under 2 seconds, optimizing speed is essential for maintaining engagement.

• Users spend 88% more time on web pages featuring video content.

  Incorporating quality videos can enhance user engagement and time spent on site.

Mobile vs. Desktop Small Business Website Statistics

With a significant portion of online shopping occurring on mobile devices, understanding the differences in user behavior across platforms is vital. Here are the latest trends:

• Consumers interact with brands twice as much on mobile than on desktop.

  This trend emphasizes the need for businesses to optimize their mobile experiences.

• In the U.S., desktop conversion rates are 3.99%, compared to 1.22% on mobile.

  While mobile traffic is high, conversion rates remain a challenge, indicating the need for tailored strategies on mobile platforms.

• As of 2020, 61% of U.S. website traffic was from mobile devices.

  This trend continues to grow, necessitating a focus on mobile optimization.

Small Business Website FAQ

1. What percentage of small businesses don’t have websites?

   29% of small businesses lack a website. The primary reasons include perceptions of their business being too small, reliance on social media, and concerns regarding the costs associated with website development.

   Additionally, 40% of businesses without a website express no intention of creating one in the future.

2. How many small businesses have websites in 2022?

   73% of small businesses had websites in 2022. This trend is likely to continue, given the significant percentage of retail sales occurring online and the role of websites in enhancing local visibility.

3. Why does a small business need a website?

   Having a website is essential for small businesses as it can significantly increase both online and offline purchases. In fact, at least 78% of location-based mobile searches lead to offline purchases, demonstrating the importance of discoverability.

4. What percentage of consumers research a business online before using its services?

   81% of consumers research businesses online before utilizing their services. This underscores the importance of maintaining an online presence to attract potential customers.

5. What percentage of business websites have a blog?

   Over 65% of business websites feature a blog. Blogging is a crucial content marketing strategy that enhances SEO and provides valuable information to customers.

Conclusion

As we move further into 2026, the importance of having a website for small businesses cannot be overstated. Despite 29% of small businesses still lacking an online presence, it’s clear that a website is essential for visibility and customer engagement in today’s digital-first world.

With the increasing competition and the pivotal role of user experience, businesses must prioritize creating and maintaining websites that are fast, visually appealing, and optimized for search engines. Ultimately, having a website remains a critical strategy for driving both online and offline sales, as 99% of consumers use the internet to discover local businesses.

References

1. Cision. “28% of Small Businesses Don’t Have a Website, According to New Survey Data.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

2. HRDrive. “40% of small businesses don’t have a website, survey finds.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

3. The Manifest. “9 Risks and Rewards of Using Social Media Instead of a Website.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

4. Small Business Trends. “66% of Businesses Spend Less Than $10K to Build Their Website.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

5. Statista. “E-commerce worldwide – statistics facts.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

6. Digital. “10 Key Benefits of a Website for Small Businesses.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

7. Net MarketShare. “Search Engine Market Share.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

8. Think with Google. “Understanding consumers’ local search behavior.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

9. Transaction. “81% of Consumers Trust the Advice of Family and Friends Over Businesses.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

10. GoodFirms. “Website Design Stats And Trends For Small Businesses – GoodFirms Research.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

11. Crowdcontent Blog. “The 3 Types of White Papers – And Why You Should Care.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

12. NeilPatel. “How Loading Time Affects Your Bottom Line.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

13. Think with Google. “How to make every mobile moment a brand-builder.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

14. WebFX. “Desktop vs. Mobile: Which Converts Better? [Infographic].” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

15. Cision. “27% of Small Businesses Still Don’t Have a Website in 2022.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

16. Small Business Trends. “How Much Does a Website Cost?” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

17. Statista. “Frequency of Online Searches For Local Businesses According to Consumers in the United States as of November 2021.” Accessed on March 28, 2023.

Author

Jack Flynn

Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.