Well, does it?
Short answer: probably, yeah.
I do know of successful businesses thriving without a website, but mostly they’re freelance consultants with networks they’ve developed over decades. For everyone else, a website will help you establish yourself and grow.
Of course I’d say that, right? I make websites for a living!
Yes, I do, but I’m also a v nice person. I will never urge you to spend money and time on something you don’t need. It doesn’t need to be expensive, initially, so hear me out on why you should get one.
Why should you get a website as a new social enterprise?
Looking legit
When people come across an organisation they’ve not heard of before, often the first thing they will do it search for it. Increasingly this is on social media, but for most people this will still be with a search engine like Google. If they can’t see a website at all, this can plant a tiny seed of doubt in their mind about your reliability, or whether you are still open.
It’s obviously not essential to have one for funding bids, but it can help to have one. You can see how potential funders will get another tick in their ‘reassured’ column when they find a site with words and pictures proving you exist.
Feeling legit
It’s not worth the effort if this is your only reason, but getting a website can help you feel like a proper business. And the psychological boost you get from this could mean you seek out and make the most of opportunities and grow quicker.
A central place
It’s easier for you and it’s easier for potential customers and other interested people to get all the info they need in one place. While they might be able to see your latest news or get a sense of your vibe on social media, on your website they can get that and your backstory, your opening times, your testimonials and a link to book or buy.
Your own place
Social media is great for rallying your community, but you’re camping on borrowed land. If the algorithm changes, the owner of the company changes, or the platform shuts down, you can lose everything you’ve built.
With a website, you own that space on the internet. You can put whatever you want on it and (as long as you keep up your hosting payments!) no one can take it away from you.
Working for your business
Does your social enterprise help people with information and signposting? That can all be housed on your website. Do you need your beneficiaries to book in for sessions and appointments? They can do it on your website. Do you run events and volunteering sessions? People can check the calendar and sign up on your site.
While you can use separate platforms for all these things and more, having it all streamlined in one place is generally easier for your customers and easier for you to manage.
Benefits of having a website
I’ve mentioned a few already, but a website can help you do so many things.
Here are a few more:
- Reach your beneficiaries and/or customers, letting them book, enrol or buy
- Keep people up to date with your current opening times and event dates
- Share the logos of funders and partners you work with
- Show potential funders and partners what you do
- Share your latest news and achievements
- Advertise jobs and volunteer roles
- Publish your impact reports
Don’t run before you can walk
Does this mean you need a full, branded, ten-page website right now?
No.
If you have literally just started your organisation or it is still a glimmer of an idea, you need to be talking to people, testing and validating your plans. Ideally in way that’s as low-cost and low-risk as possible. A social media account or just an email address is fine.
But once you’ve got started, and you have some information to tell people, some events happening or something for sale, I’d say get one. At this early stage, a simple one-pager is fine. As long as you have a URL to send people to that tells them who you are and how they can get involved, that’s enough. Getting a brand designer, a copywriter and a multi-page site will come farther down the line.
Grab a domain (ie www.yourorganisation.com) and get a page up. You can have a go at a DIY site or speak to me about my offer for newbie social enterprises.
The answer
So, do you need a website as a new social enterprise?
Well, no. You need water, oxygen and snacks. No one technically needs a website.
Is it a good idea for your social enterprise to have one, even if it’s simply one page? Yep.
