Top 50+ Small Business Website Statistics You Need To Know in 2025 

Key takeaways: 

• 73% of small businesses in the U.S. have a website in 2025—up from 64% in 2020. 
• Mobile-first design is now standard, with 84% of visitors prefer mobile sites. 
• Poor hosting can cost small to medium businesses SMBs $20K/year in downtime. 

In 2025, competition for small businesses is more competitive than ever. A strong online presence has become a fundamental requirement for growth and credibility. But what does “strong” really mean? How many small businesses actually have a website, and what are the key performance indicators that truly matter? 

This article provides you with real, data-backed website statistics that empower small business owners to make smarter decisions. Whether you’re contemplating getting your first website, optimizing your existing design, or exploring the power of AI tools, these insights will guide your strategy and help you outrank the competition. 

Top 10 small business website trends and statistics in 2025 

Creating a modern, effective website is essential for small businesses that want to compete online. New technologies, shifting consumer behaviors, and evolving design standards are reshaping how small businesses approach their online presence.  

This section explores the top 10 small business website trends and key statistics driving those changes—from AI-powered personalization to mobile-first design and beyond.  

Whether you’re planning a redesign or starting from scratch, these insights will help you stay ahead of the curve and build a site that connects with your audience, converts visitors into customers, and helps your business grow. 

1. 73% of small businesses in the US have a website. This number shows that having a web presence is now the norm, making it critical for credibility. 
2. 27% of small businesses without a website believe their industry doesn’t require one.  
3. 81% of shoppers conduct online research before making a purchase. This includes checking for reviews or visiting a company’s website. 
4. The cost to build a website  can cost between $200 to over $100,000, depending on whether you use a website builder or hire a professional team. 
5. Around 46% of U.S. small business sites generated between 1,001 and 15,000 monthly visitors in 2023. 
6. 41.2% of B2B sites reported 1,000–10,000 monthly visitors in 2023.  
7. As of 2024, Wix accounts for roughly 45% of the website builder market, with over 8 million active sites worldwide.  
8. The global website builder market reached approximately $2.32 billion in 2025, with growth projected to continue.  
9. Nearly one in three U.S. shoppers (31%) said they decided against shopping at a small business because it lacked a website. 
10. A one-second delay in page load time on a mobile device can cause the likelihood of a bounce to increase by 123% if it climbs to 10 seconds. 

How many small businesses have websites in 2025? 

As of 2025, the majority of SMBs across the U.S. and globally have established an online presence, but gaps still exist depending on industry, region, and business size. This section breaks down the latest statistics on website adoption, mobile optimization, and the growing demand for digital visibility. 

Website adoption by SMBs 

• 73% of U.S. small businesses have a website. 
• The number is slightly higher in the UK (74%) and lower globally, averaging 63%. 
• This marks steady growth from 64% in 2020, showing increasing digital maturity. 
• 74% of online users will return to a website that is mobile-friendly. 

Do small businesses need websites? Absolutely. With over 81% of consumers researching online before purchasing, having no web presence means missed revenue and credibility. Purchasing, having no web presence means missed revenue and credibility. 

Why some small businesses still don’t have a website in 2025 

While more small businesses are going online in 2025, 27% still don’t have a website, according to a Zippia report.  

Below are the most frequently cited reasons for not launching a website, based on recent industry research: 

Reason for not having a website	% of small businesses reporting this
Believes a website isn’t necessary to their industry	27%
Prefers to rely on social media platforms instead of a website	21%
Concerned about the cost of building or running a site	26%
Feels they lack the technical skills to build or run a website themselves	15%

These numbers reveal that SMBs aren’t avoiding websites due to lack of interest—but often due to perceived complexity or affordability. With today’s AI-powered builders and low-maintenance hosting options, many of these hurdles are now easier to overcome than ever. 

Despite the growing importance of a digital presence, not every small business has taken the leap.  

According to recent data, 27% of SMBs without a website say it simply doesn’t apply to their line of work—the most cited reason for staying offline. 

Cost is close behind, with 26% reporting that building or maintaining a website is too expensive. 

Interestingly, 21% of small business owners rely solely on social media platforms for their marketing strategy over a dedicated website. 

Finally, 15% admit they don’t have the technical expertise to manage a site, making it the least common—but still significant—barrier. These insights highlight that while digital adoption is rising, there are still clear knowledge and cost gaps holding some SMBs back.

Why small businesses create websites 

The reasons small businesses establish an online presence are multifaceted, all pointing to a common goal: business growth. 

• Credibility 
• Lead generation 
• eCommerce and sales  
• Customer expectation   
• Information hub 
• Marketing and visibility 

Credibility and trust 

84% of consumers say a business is more credible if it has a website. A professional website instantly enhances a business’s credibility. Customers today expect to find a business online; its absence can cast doubt on legitimacy. 

Customers form an opinion about a business within the first few seconds of visiting their website, and a well-designed site gives the impression of trustworthiness and competence.  

Lead generation 

Websites are powerful lead generation tools, helping to generate inbound leads 24/7. 

eCommerce and sales 

With over 26.5 million eCommerce websites worldwide, a website is a direct sales channel for businesses selling products or services. 

Customer expectations 

Customer expectations are clear: 62% of customers will ignore a business without a web presence. Without a website or digital footprint, businesses risk losing credibility and potential customers. 

Information hub 

A website serves as a centralized hub for all essential business information, from contact details and service offerings to FAQs and company history. 

The website becomes the single, authoritative source for a business’s information, ensuring a consistent message and helping to establish a credible brand.  

Marketing and visibility 

Websites are foundational to digital marketing efforts, including search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, and social media integration. 

Over 53% of all website traffic comes from organic search, making it the most effective channel for online visibility and engagement. 

How a website directly impacts small business growth 

A well-built website drives business. The latest research shows how critical web presence and user experience are to attracting and retaining customers: 

Statistic	Why it matters
79.6 of consumers said they’ve given up on an online search because they couldn’t find what they wanted	If your business doesn’t show up online, you’re missing the first—and often only—touchpoint in a buyer’s journey.
38% of visitors will leave a site with poor design or layout	Your website’s appearance directly affects engagement and trust, especially for first-time visitors.
57% of users say they won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site	With mobile usage dominating, your design must look great and work seamlessly on all screen sizes.
61% of users leave if they can’t find what they need in five seconds	Clear navigation and fast loading aren’t optional. They’re make-or-break elements.
86% of visitors expect product or service info front and center on the homepage	Make key content easy to access. Don’t hide what your business does.
15% of U.S. adults are smartphone-only internet users	A mobile-optimized website ensures you’re reaching this growing segment, especially Gen Z, where this figure rises to 80%.

A professional, mobile-first website is smart business. Done right, it works 24/7 as your storefront, sales rep, and credibility engine. 

AI and the evolving website builder industry 

AI has fundamentally reshaped the website builder landscape. The rise of AI-powered tools has democratized website creation, making it faster and more accessible for individuals and businesses without extensive technical expertise. These tools, often referred to as AI website builders, leverage machine learning to automate key aspects of the design and development process. 

AI website builders can generate a complete website from simple text prompts, and automatically suggest layouts, color schemes, and fonts. They also help with content, with some tools generating personalized text and images based on the user’s business description. This level of automation significantly reduces the time and resources needed for initial setup. 

The benefits of this shift are numerous: 

• Speed and efficiency. AI can create a functional website in minutes or hours, compared to the weeks or months a traditional development process might take. 
• Cost-effectiveness. By automating design and development, AI builders offer a more affordable solution for small businesses and freelancers with limited budgets, as they can bypass the cost of hiring a professional developer. 
• Ease of use. AI-powered platforms are designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, with features like drag-and-drop editors and guided interfaces that require little to no coding knowledge. 
• Personalization and optimization. AI-driven analytics can analyze user behavior to provide personalized content and design recommendations. These tools also assist with SEO optimization by suggesting improvements to content and keywords, and ensuring sites are mobile-friendly across different devices. 

The website builder market is projected to continue its rapid growth, with AI being a major catalyst. While platforms like WordPress still hold a significant market share, the competitive landscape is shifting as AI-first builders gain traction, making professional, high-quality websites more attainable than ever before. 

Outsourcing remains valuable when businesses need custom branding, API integrations, or advanced eCommerce functionality. But AI-assisted DIY tools are rapidly closing the gap for most basic and intermediate needs. 

Builder platforms and creation methods 

Once small businesses commit to building a website, the next step is choosing how to create it. From traditional CMS platforms like WordPress to AI-powered tools from Network Solutions, SMBs have more options than ever.  

Hosting reliability and business impact 

A business’s online success depends on reliable hosting. When a website or application is unavailable, it can lead to lost sales, damaged reputation, and frustrated customers. This article explores how consistent hosting directly impacts a business’s financial performance and brand perception. 

• 5 hours/month of downtime = $2,500+ loss  
• SMBs lose credibility when sites are down or poorly secured. 

A website is only as good as its hosting. Unreliable hosting can lead to significant financial and reputational damage. 

• 43% of cyber-attacks target small businesses with outdated platforms. 
• SMPs lose around $2,500 per month during an average of 5 hours of downtime. 
• Security breaches from poor hosting. When websites are hosted poorly, they are more susceptible to security breaches. Such breaches can expose customer data, severely damaging a brand’s trust and reputation. Studies show that a significant portion of consumers will not do business with a company that has experienced a data breach. For example, a Ping Identity survey found that 97% of consumers worry about data privacy. This lack of trust translates directly into a loss of business and can have a long-lasting negative impact on a company’s bottom line.  
• 60% of small businesses are concerned about cybersecurity threats.  

Trust, design and user experience for small business websites 

Nearly 75% of users judge a business’s credibility based on its website design, and even a one-second delay in load time can reduce conversions by up to 20%. In this section, we break down the key stats showing how design, speed, and mobile usability directly impact user trust and engagement. 

Credibility and first impressions 

Your website is often the first interaction a potential customer has with your business, making design and user experience critical. 

• How much design impacts trust. The visual appeal and usability of your website profoundly influence customer perception.  
• Visual trust signals. Almost 30% of users look for the padlock icon when they visit a site. Beyond aesthetics, concrete elements like HTTPS (secure website protocols), a polished design, and prominently displayed customer reviews (e.g., Google Business Profile reviews) are crucial for building trust. 
• Positive reviews make 87% of people trust a local business more and are a known ranking factor.  

Mobile-first, speed and UX expectations 

Building a successful website today means more than just having an online presence. In a world dominated by smartphones, user experience and speed are no longer optional—they are essential for success. 

• Mobile-first indexing is now Google standard. 
• Users expect < 3 seconds load time—otherwise bounce rates spike by 32%.
• 92% of users prefer websites that are easy to navigate on mobile. 

Modern web users have high expectations for how websites perform, especially on mobile devices. 

• Load time impact to bounce.  A load time increase from 1 second to 3 seconds can lead to a 32% rise in bounce rate.  
• 53% of mobile site visits are abandoned if pages take longer than 3 seconds to load, with a 2-second delay increasing abandonment rates to 87%.  
• User experience (UX) expectations. Beyond speed, users expect intuitive navigation, clear calls to action, high-quality images and videos, and easy-to-read content. These elements collectively contribute to a positive UX, which in turn improves engagement and conversions. According to Mike Gualtieri from Forrester, a well-designed UI can increase a website’s conversion rate by up to 200%. 
• 74% of people are more likely to return to a site that is easy to use on mobile devices.  

ROI and business outcomes  

Return on Investment (ROI) and business outcomes are two important metrics for evaluating the success of business activities. While they’re often discussed together, they measure different things. 

ROI is a financial metric that measures the profitability of an investment. It’s calculated by dividing the net profit from an investment by its cost. Business outcomes, on the other hand, are the specific, measurable results of a business activity or project. They often go beyond simple financial returns to include things like increased customer satisfaction, improved efficiency, or enhanced brand reputation. 

• SMBs with modern websites report 15-50% revenue increases. 
• The average landing page conversion rate is 9.7%. 
• 90% of marketers use websites to generate leads. 

Investing in a website pays off—over 70% of small businesses report increased revenue after launching a site, and those with optimized web experiences generate up to 2x more leads. This section highlights the measurable returns SMBs see from their websites, from lead generation to long-term growth. 

Revenue and lead impact 

The true measure of a website’s success lies in its contribution to a business’s bottom line. 

• Numerous surveys and case studies indicate that small businesses with a professional online presence report higher revenue growth compared to those without. While specific real-time percentages for 2025 are still emerging, the trend is overwhelmingly positive. 
• Aggregated survey data often shows that businesses with an active, optimized website experience a significant increase in qualified leads and customer inquiries, directly translating into sales. A website provides 24/7 availability, allowing customers to browse, learn, and purchase at their convenience. 

How many small businesses use AI? 

AI is rapidly transforming how small businesses build and manage websites. This section explores how AI boosts efficiency, reduces costs, and simplifies everything from design to customer support. 

AI adoption rates among SMBs 

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s an integral part of modern small business operations, including website management. 

• 98% of U.S. SMBs are now using AI-enabled tools in some capacity, reflecting a widespread embrace of this transformative technology. Furthermore, 40% of these businesses specifically use generative AI tools like chatbots or image generators.  
• Verizon’s data indicates that 38% of small businesses are utilizing AI in marketing and customer service, with an even higher 54% investing in AI tools specifically for their websites.  

How AI is reshaping website design and maintenance 

According to a Network Solutions’ AI Survey blog post (2025): “How AI Is Changing Website Management for SMBs: Insights from Customer Survey Data”: 

Among these AI users: 

• 61% leveraged AI for chatbots or customer interactions 
• 37% use chatbots for 24/7 support 
• 39% rely on AI for SEO improvements 

AI is revolutionizing how small businesses approach their online presence, making website creation and management more accessible and efficient. 

AI is being integrated into various aspects of website management, including chatbots for automated customer support, content generation for blogs and product descriptions, and automated SEO suggestions. 

Examples include AI-powered website templates that adapt to user preferences, AI content writers that can draft blog posts or product descriptions from a few prompts, and AI tools that analyze website performance to provide actionable SEO recommendations. These tools significantly reduce the technical burden on small business owners. 

Regional data and segments 

Website adoption rates differ significantly across regions—73% of small businesses in the U.S. have a website in 2025, compared to 66% in the U.K. These gaps highlight how digital maturity, infrastructure, and market priorities shape online presence. This section compares regional trends and industry segments driving small business website growth. 

U.S. national + state highlights and UK and EU adoption rate 

• According to the SBA, Georgia has over 1.2 million small businesses, which make up 99.6% of all businesses in the state.  
• While national trends provide a broad overview, regional data offers localized insights into small business website adoption. 
• U.S. national trends. As mentioned, 73% of U.S. small businesses have a website. This national average provides a strong benchmark.

While specific 2025 state-level data on website adoption for Georgia or other states isn’t universally available, regional economic health and access to digital infrastructure often influence adoption rates. States with higher tech industries or more digitally literate populations tend to see higher website penetration. 

Similar high adoption rates are observed in the UK, Canada, and the EU, where digital transformation for SMBs has been a strategic focus.  

Website needs and adoption patterns also vary significantly based on the type and size of the small business. 

• Service vs. Product businesses. Service-based businesses often prioritize lead generation and showcasing portfolios, while product-based businesses (e-commerce) require robust online store functionalities. Both types, however, critically rely on a strong web presence. 
• Micro (<10 employees) vs. Mid-sized SMB patterns. Micro-businesses might lean more towards DIY website builders and AI-assisted tools due to limited budgets and staff. Mid-sized SMBs invest in custom development or more comprehensive digital marketing strategies.  

Emerging trends in SMB website strategy 

The landscape of small business websites is constantly evolving, with new technologies and user expectations driving strategic shifts. 

• AI features in website builders. 
• Rise of chatbots, voice search, and accessibility features. 
• 0% AI adoption for web tasks by 2026 as tools become easier to use. 
• AI tools integrated into builders and maintenance platforms will become even more sophisticated, offering predictive analytics, hyper-personalized content suggestions, and advanced automation for tasks like customer support and SEO monitoring. 
• Personalization, chatbots, and voice search optimization will continue to gain importance. 
• Websites will increasingly adapt to individual user preferences, offer instant support through AI-powered chatbots, and be optimized for voice queries, reflecting how consumers search for information.
• The number of digital voice assistants is projected to reach 8.4 billion by the end of 2024, a number that has doubled since 2020. 
• Accessibility will move from a compliance concern to a core design principle, ensuring websites are usable by everyone, regardless of ability. 

As AI tools become more intuitive and affordable, and as awareness of their benefits grows, more SMBs will adopt AI for website management. 

The growing market for website builders 

The website builder industry continues to expand rapidly, driven by increasing demand from small businesses seeking simple and affordable online solutions. Recent figures showed that the global website builder market reached $2.32 billion in 2025. 

Looking ahead, the market is expected to maintain this upward momentum, with projections showing a 10% increase to $2.2 billion in 2024, followed by further growth to $2.6 billion by 2026, marking a 13% jump year-over-year. 

As more SMBs embrace digital transformation, affordable, AI-enhanced website builders are becoming essential tools—making this market’s growth a clear sign of the evolving business landscape. 

What these small business website statistics mean for your next move 

The numbers don’t lie—having a well-designed, high-performing website is no longer optional for small businesses in 2025. From increased revenue and lead generation to credibility and customer trust, the ROI of investing in a strong online presence is clear across industries and regions. And with AI tools now making website creation and management faster and more affordable, the barriers to entry are lower than ever. 

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your current site, the right tools make all the difference. Network Solutions offers powerful solutions tailored for small businesses—from AI-assisted website builders and secure hosting to domain registration and marketing tools.  

Build smarter, launch faster, and simplify your website journey with Network Solutions.

Frequently asked questions