Does your shop need a website? An honest checklist

We build websites, so you might expect us to say every business needs one. We won't. Plenty of small shops do perfectly well on word of mouth, a WhatsApp number and a good location.

But a lot of businesses are quietly losing customers because they can't be found, or because what people find doesn't make them want to visit. Here's a quick, honest way to tell which group you're in.

Seven questions

Give yourself one point for every "yes".

1. Do customers ask "Do you have a website?" or "Can you send me photos?" If you're sending the same pictures on WhatsApp ten times a week, a simple page saves you hours.
2. Do people search for what you sell? "Sofa shop near me", "birthday cakes in [your area]", "AC repair". If they search, they're choosing someone. Make sure it can be you.
3. Do you sell things people compare before buying? Furniture, electronics, coaching, clinics, wedding services. People like to look at options at home, in the evening, before they come in.
4. Is your shop hard to find? A page with a map, photos of the entrance and your timings removes a lot of "Where exactly are you?" phone calls.
5. Do you want customers from outside your street? Word of mouth works locally. A website works for the next area, and the next city.
6. Do competitors look more professional online than you do? Customers notice, even if they never say so.
7. Would you like enquiries while the shop is closed? A website with a contact form or a WhatsApp button collects them at 11 at night.

0–2 points: you're probably fine for now. Start with a free Google Business Profile (it puts you on Google Maps with photos, timings and reviews) and a WhatsApp Business account.

3–5 points: a simple website will very likely pay for itself.

6–7 points: you're probably losing customers to businesses that are easier to find online.

What a sensible first website looks like

You don't need anything fancy. A good first website for a shop or small business has:

• A clear headline saying what you do and where
• Real photos of your products, your work or your shop. Not stock photos.
• Prices or price ranges, if you can share them. Nothing builds trust faster.
• A big WhatsApp button and a call button, because that's how most people actually want to get in touch
• Your map, address and timings
• A few customer reviews
• It must look good on a phone. Most of your visitors will be on one.

That's it. Five pages at most. You can add a catalogue, a blog or online booking later, once you see what customers use.

What it should cost

A domain name (yourshop.com or yourshop.in) costs around a thousand rupees a year. Hosting for a simple site can be free or very cheap. The real cost is building it properly. In our experience, a small business site from a professional usually costs somewhere between a few thousand rupees from a freelancer using a template and a few lakh from a big agency.

A few warning signs when you're comparing quotes:

• You won't own the domain. Always make sure it's registered in your name.
• No phone preview. Ask to see the design on a phone before you pay in full.
• "Monthly fee" with no clear reason. Paying for updates and support is fair; paying just to stay online often isn't.
• They can't show you sites they've actually built.

A quick note on WhatsApp

WhatsApp Business is now a serious tool on its own. In May, WhatsApp announced an AI assistant for small businesses in India that can answer common customer questions around the clock, in Indian languages, using your own catalogue and price list. A website and WhatsApp work best together: the website gets you found and builds trust, WhatsApp closes the sale.

Want help?

This is exactly the kind of work we do. If you'd like a simple, fast website for your shop or business, have a look at our prices or ask for a free quote. We'll tell you honestly if you don't need one yet.

---

Further reading: WhatsApp announces AI upgrade for round-the-clock SME customer support in India (Punjab Kesari)