As a developer, there’s this tiny, nagging voice in the back of my head that pops up every time I come across a business without a website. It could be the local coffee shop or a family-owned hardware store, but that voice always asks, "Should I build them a website?"
The Missing Online Presence
We live in a digital-first world where Google is the new Yellow Pages. If I can’t find a business online, I immediately feel like something’s missing. It’s almost as if they don’t exist. I wonder how many customers they’re losing because they don’t have a proper online presence.
I know what you’re thinking—maybe they’re a traditional brick-and-mortar business that doesn’t need to expand online. But, the reality is, even the smallest shops benefit from a simple website. It could be as basic as contact information, a menu, or hours of operation. Those little details can be the difference between someone choosing to visit or not.
The Struggle Between Offering Help and Intrusion
But then, there's the flip side. I’ve been in situations where I’ve tried to offer my services to businesses that don’t have a website, and it’s not always well received. The conversation goes something like this:
“Hey, I noticed you don’t have a website. I’d be happy to help set one up for you!”
And then comes the polite but firm response:
“Oh, we don’t really need one right now. We’ve been fine without it for years.”
It’s tough not to take that as a challenge. Part of me wants to argue how much a website could help them reach a wider audience, streamline operations, or improve customer loyalty. But another part realizes that maybe they just don’t want or need that extra layer of complexity.
Tech Fatigue
For some, it’s not even about resisting technology—it’s about avoiding tech fatigue. With so many platforms and tools to manage, another digital asset can feel overwhelming, especially for small business owners who already have too much on their plate.
I get it. A website means maintenance, updates, dealing with SEO, and responding to emails. The dream of automating their business could quickly turn into a digital burden. And that’s where the inner conflict really deepens.
Do They Need It or Do I Want to Build It?
There’s a fundamental question I have to ask myself before I offer to build someone a website: Do they actually need it, or am I just wanting to build it because I can? And I'm talking about software engineering or any other specialization.
As developers, we see potential everywhere, and the idea of creating something valuable for others is exciting. But just because I know how to build a website doesn’t mean every business needs one. And that’s a hard pill to swallow for someone who spends most of their time online.
The Right Approach
So, where does that leave me? I’ve learned to be more selective in how I approach these situations. Instead of jumping straight to offering my services, I take the time to understand their business and whether a website genuinely fits into their goals. If it’s a tool they need, I’ll gladly step in. If not, I’ve come to accept that some businesses are fine staying offline.
Ultimately, not every business wants to be digital, and that’s okay. What matters is that I’m offering solutions to problems, not just solving problems that don’t exist.
The next time I see a business without a website, I’ll probably still feel the urge to build them one—but now, I’ll take a step back and ask, “How soon can I ship this?” before diving in.