Google Wants Businesses to Get Their Own Websites
Back in December, I took a poll on social media site Gab, asking small businesses who do NOT have a website, what the reasons were for their decision. For response options, I provided what I believe to be the 5 most common reasons.
Poll Results
After running for a few days, here were the results from the 11 respondents, top to bottom:
- 55% – I don’t need one
- 27% – Been too busy to get it done.
- 18% – I just use social media/other platforms
- 0% – I don’t know how to/confusing process
- 0% – They’re too expensive/not worth it
Don’t need one? Really?!
As you can see in my comment below, I was a bit surprised that A) the majority of respondents felt they didn’t need a website. But also that B) money wasn’t an issue.
The cost issue proved to have some merit as I had no takers on a free ‘Christmas gift’ offer.
Or maybe I’m just barking up the wrong forest.
In my opinion, (not having a website) is akin to not having a phone book listing in the 80s/90s. (Yellow Pages anyone?)
Everyone needs a website
I realize that’s a bold statement, but yes – I think EVERYONE should have a website. I’ll leave this idea as a teaser for another post I’m writing.
But if you’re (legally) in business, I have a hard time accepting any reasons for flying under the internet radar. That’s just me.
Oh – and Josepha Haden Chomphosy agrees, too.
…aaand, yeah – so does the GOOG.
Google wants businesses to get their own website
Apparently, Google wants businesses to move out of their basement and get their own place now.
According to a post on their Business Profile Help Center:
Websites made with Google Business Profiles are basic websites powered by the information on your Business Profile. In March 2024, websites made with Google Business Profiles will be turned off and customers visiting your site will be redirected to your Business Profile instead. The redirect will work until June 10, 2024.
If you’d like to continue having a website for your business, consider creating a new website using other tools and updating your Business Profile with the new website address.
– GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE HELP
source: https://support.google.com/business/answer/14368911?hl=en
The post then goes on to reiterate – in case the message wasn’t clear…
Important: Your customers will only be redirected to your Business Profile until June 10, 2024. After that date, customers will get a “page not found” error when attempting to visit your website. If you’d like to continue having a website for your business, consider creating a new website using other tools and updating your Business Profile with the new website address.
Not a good feeling if you’ve been investing and building your business on someone else’s platform.
It reminds me of Nick Carr’s post on digital sharecropping way back in 2006.
Homeless or House Hunting
To be clear, these aren’t necessarily businesses without a website. It’s just that they’ve been squatting on Google’s property for sometime.
For free.
And now they’re getting evicted.
It’s time to build your own house
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about putting down roots on your own digital homestead – or are about to be evicted – reach out to me using the chat button down in the corner.
Getting started doesn’t need to be a lengthy or costly proposition.
In fact, take a look at my QuickiSite option. And if that’s not the right one for you, let’s discuss what you have in mind.
Whatever the case, the time to start building is now.