Website for Businesses or Individuals in 2024/25

Is a website still something that someone or a business should care about in 2024/25? After all, everything you want to promote can be done through social media, right? Why would I pay to keep a server running? What's the advantage of having a website and still needing to direct my Facebook audience there? What's the purpose if I can do everything on Instagram? Well, these are relevant questions that cross the minds of many people, especially entrepreneurs or potential entrepreneurs.

And the answer is a big YES. Showcasing your brand digitally is more than necessary, especially nowadays, when people walk through the city and don't even notice which stores have opened or closed. Customer service in physical stores has decreased significantly with technological advances. I remember around 10 or 15 years ago, when I would walk into stores like Americanas and feel like royalty: everyone would chat and explain product details, you had bargaining power, there was that "fight" to offer a discount, and often the salesperson was so good that you didn’t even need a discount – you just wanted to take the product home before someone else did. But recently, I've entered stores, both in Brazil and abroad, where the salespeople almost seem to say, “Go home and buy it online; please don’t bother me.” I’m not sure why this happens, but the fact is that online shopping ends up being more affordable for several reasons, and the one thing that should be better – in-person service – has worsened. Anyway, having an online business is super necessary, and even if your business is a bakery, having a formal, digital menu on your website would encourage me to visit and make a purchase. "Oh, but I don't need a site; I can promote on social media..." If that's what you're thinking, I’ll have to agree with you PARTIALLY. You don't necessarily need a site just for promotion – and, in fact, a site shouldn’t be used for that purpose alone. A site serves to show, in a much more efficient way, the credibility, organization, and seriousness of your business, along with the benefit of formal communication.

“But what about the server I have to keep paying for?” The truth is that a reputable company has already accounted for all its costs. What I mean by this is that credibility has a price, and if you want to provide this for your business, it’s important to allocate a budget for it. Besides, it’s not an expense – it’s an investment and, even more, an enhancement of the company culture.

“But what's the advantage of having a website and still needing to direct my Facebook audience there?” Think of it as a marketplace where everything is sold. It’s natural that someone will see your ads on Facebook – and that’s super important. But once you manage to take your customer's hand and bring them into your company, showing them your culture and how organized you are, then you won’t just have a customer but a brand advocate, someone who will feel like they are getting VIP treatment. Is it more work? Yes! But it’s also more rewarding and profitable.

What I’m saying with this post is that a website adds much more sophistication to your business. It’s not a cost or a burden. Of course, you need to maintain, care for, and update this website so that it reflects the value of your business, but I can assure you that when you meet a client and say, “Send an email to [email protected]” (replace this with your own business email), it’s much more satisfying. It doesn’t just give you the feeling of having a business; it shows your client is directly connected to your enterprise. When you say, “Send an email to [email protected],” you still have your business, but think about how it could improve with just a small monthly investment.