Does every merchant need a website? When and why?

Aug 17
5 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Introduction

In a world where digital development is accelerating, the question about the importance of having a website for every merchant has become increasingly urgent. With the spread of social media and the prosperity of e-commerce, some merchants think that their presence on Instagram or Facebook is sufficient, while others see that the website is the basis of the digital presence of any business.

So does every merchant really need a website? When is it necessary? Why might investing in it be an important strategic step? This is what we will discuss in detail in this article, with practical examples that will help you make the right decision for your business.

First: What is the merchant’s website?

A website is a digital platform fully owned by the merchant, which displays its products or services, and provides important information to customers such as:

Product details and prices.
Communication methods.
working hours.
Offers and discounts.
Possibility of purchasing and paying online.

Unlike social media, where you are a guest on a platform whose policies you do not control, your website is your own space that you freely manage.

Second: Does every merchant need a website?

The answer is not always an absolute “yes,” but it often tends to be positive. The decision depends on the nature of your activity, your target audience, and your goals.

Situations where a website is necessary:

If you offer products or services that can be sold online Such as clothing, electronics, or food products.
If your activity depends on credibility and identity Such as real estate offices, medical centers, or service companies.
If your audience searches for you on Google before purchasing Such as restaurants or local shops.
If you want to reach a wider audience outside social media platforms Especially if you want to expand outside your city or country.

Third: Why should every merchant think about creating a website?

1. Complete brand control

On your site, you are the one who determines the look of the pages, the way products are displayed, and the user experience. On social media, you are limited by the platform’s design and algorithms.

2. Appearance in search engines

Most customers start their purchasing journey by searching on Google. If you do not have a website, you are losing the opportunity to appear in front of these customers.

example: Someone searches for “men's shoe store in Jeddah” — if you have a site that's optimized for visibility, you'll be among the first results.

3. Increase credibility and professionalism

Having a website gives the impression that you are a serious and reliable merchant, especially if the website is professionally designed and displays clear information.

4. Possibility of selling around the clock

The website never sleeps, it can receive orders at any time, even outside your working hours.

5. Collect customer data

Through the website, you can find out:

What are the most viewed products?
Most visited pages.
Traffic sources (search, ads, social media).

This data helps you improve your marketing decisions.

6. Integration with digital marketing

Sponsored ads become more effective when they direct customers to your site instead of just a social media page, because the site allows you to display broader information and convert the visitor into a buyer easily.

Fourth: When might you no longer need a website?

Despite the great benefits, there are cases where location may not be a top priority:

If your activity is very limited and very local Like a seller in a popular market who relies only on passing customers.
If your budget is very limited In this case, you can start with free means such as Google Business Profile and social media, and then expand later.
If you are in the process of testing a project idea Before investing in a website, you can try ordering via social media or WhatsApp to know the size of the order.

Fifth: Types of sites that are suitable for merchants

1. Landing Page or Profile Website

One or more pages displaying business information and product images.
Suitable for projects that do not need to be sold online.

2. Electronic stores (E-commerce)

Products are displayed with the ability to purchase and pay online.
Suitable for retailers or wholesalers.

3. Business blogs (Blog Website)

Used to provide useful content to attract customers (such as tips and articles).
Ideal for pre-sale trust building activities.

Sixth: How do you determine if the time is right to create a website?

Questions to help you decide:

Are your customers searching for your products on Google?
Do you want to sell your products outside your current geographic scope?
Do you want to increase your online sales?
Do you have a dedicated budget for digital marketing?
Do you rely on credibility as a key factor to attract customers?

If you answered "yes" to 3 or more questions, the site is a logical step for you.

Seventh: Steps to creating a successful merchant website

1. Setting the goal

Is it for direct selling or just introducing the activity?
This determines the design and functionality of the site.

2. Choose a domain and hosting

The domain is the name of the website (eg: example.com).
Hosting is the service that saves website files and makes them available on the Internet.

3. Website design

Keep the design simple and easy to navigate.
Use high-quality images.
Make sure the site is compatible with phones.

4. Add content

Clear description of products or services.
Contact information and business hours.
Customer testimonials or ratings.

5. Website Optimization for Search Engines (SEO)

Use appropriate keywords.
Improve page loading speed.
Create content targeted to local audiences.

6. Linking the site to analysis tools

Such as Google Analytics to know the performance of the site.

Eighth: The expected costs of creating a website

Annual range: From 10 to 20 dollars.
Hosting: From 50 to 150 dollars annually.
Design and development: Varies depending on complexity, from 500 to 5000 Saudi riyals.
Maintenance and updates: About 10-20% of the construction cost annually.

Ninth: Examples of success of merchants after creating their websites

Local clothing store in Riyadh After launching his website, he began receiving orders from other cities, which increased his sales by 35% within 6 months.
Home appliances store in Jeddah He used the website to display the product catalog and linked it to WhatsApp to receive orders, so inquiries increased by 50%.
Bakery in Dammam The site allowed customers to book cakes online with prepayment, which reduced the cancellation rate.

Tenth: Conclusion

Owning a website is no longer a luxury for merchants, but rather has become an essential element for maintaining competitiveness in the market. It may not be necessary for every activity in the early stages, but with expansion and increased competition, the website becomes a reliable platform for displaying your products, communicating with customers, and increasing sales.

If your goal is growth and continuity, investing in a website is a smart move that will bring you long-term benefits.