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Do websites still matter?

'Are websites dead?'

This is a typical question I will get when people find out that one of my services is website design.


We are all biased, we live thinking that many, or most people believe and think like we do, and those that don't think so far away from the way we do that it doesn't matter.

Do websites still matter or are websites dead?

Most commonly, people think that AI is going to replace websites... but a study in 2025 found that the number 1 use for AI is therapy, not search. Yes this may change, but it shows we are not there yet.


For fun, let's look back at some of the other items designed to make websites obsolete:


Social Media: many creators, some businesses, and services thought that if they had a strong social media presence, they would not need a website.


Apps: Thought to become the central hub where people will download all they need and use a business's app for everything (fun fact, even Lululemon still has a website).


So why will we still need a website? Truth is we forget why websites matter so much:


1. Single point of ALL reference

  • A website is our one-stop shop for everything related to our business, from contact details, hours, experience, team, highlights, and news, etc. Not to mention legalities like privacy polices, terms and conditions and guidance..

  • Its owned but the business, so it becomes our asset to build and grow, the company does not own social media, so if it shuts down, like we saw, we loose access to that client base.

  • Many industries require official websites for terms of service, privacy policies, and disclaimers.

  • Essential for GDPR, CCPA, and other data protection laws.

2. The A and T of EEAT

  • EEAT - Expertise, Experience, Authority, and Trust, the E, A and T are shown on the website. Who we are, our portfolio, offerings, etc can be neatly housed here.

  • Consumers still view businesses with professional websites as more legitimate (73% of consumers distrust businesses without one).

  • We can also highlight testimonials, our portfolio, and credentials, to enhance trust.

  • Features like SSL certificates offer trust.

3. Search still happens online

  • Google and Bing still drive traffic and are a reliable source of information for people using the web for search. Building a website that is optimized for website rankings for key search terms helps get you found. (apps don't work the same)

  • Blogs, guides, and landing pages attract long-term organic traffic.

  • Social media and third-party platforms don’t replace how many people search, meaning SEO still has exceptional value.

  • While some people use social search, this behaviour is generational and there are many generations that still use conventional search.

4. Open 24/7

  • Websites work even when you are closed, offering information and assistance to clients, capturing leads via forms, chatbots, and email sign-ups.

  • Booking services, appointments, events/tickets and E-commerce sites generate transactions even outside business hours.

5. Stronger branding

  • Social media dictates the rules of design and how the design benefits search; your website has more flexibility to align with your brand.

  • Ability to customize user experience (UX) for conversions without being restrained by the rules of engagement on the platforms.

  • Designed logically, social media is a constant feed, and websites offer clear navigation to find what you want.

6. We own the data

  • When a client enters through your website, you own the information and data gathered. You have the opportunity to convert, retain that lead and the knowledge that you obtained it, we don't have that with social.

  • Harnessing Tools like Google Analytics can provide deep insights into visitor behavior, allowing you to tweak your website for greater results - we don't own this ability on socials.

7. All about the sales

  • Though we can pitch on social, online shopping continues to grow; websites enable secure transactions without third-party fees (unlike Amazon, Etsy, or eBay). Clients feel more confident ordering through a website.

  • Websites allow considerably more growth with subscription models, memberships, and digital products that can encourage repeat customers,

8. Integrated experiences

  • Websites have an even greater capacity to help your sales funnel by connecting with CRM, email marketing (Mailchimp, Klaviyo), and many third-party sales tools (Salesforce).

9. Competitive make it so

  • If competitors have better websites, they capture more market share, people like good websites, and if you don't have one at all, customers are more likely to purchase from your competition.

  • Not keeping up with technology by not having a website also sends a message.

10. Go global

  • Websites can attract international customers with ease.

  • Multilingual sites expand market potential and offer a customized experience for your audience.

11. Adaptability

  • Websites evolve with tech and get stronger when these tools are integrated (AI chatbots, voice search optimization, AR product previews) even including adding your social feed and testimonials into your website.

13. A growing asset

  • A well-maintained website grows in value over time as the SEO and authority build and brand familiarity grows.

  • Social media accounts can vanish, get hacked, or be lost and abandoned, while a website remains a permanent asset.


Finally:

Websites in 2025 are essential for credibility, control, and scalability.


While there are tools that will diversify how customers find our businesses, they are still an incredible tool for relevance, connection, communication, and sales.


Julie Boake

awedity creaitve








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