Are Websites Dead by 2025? Exploring the Future of Online Presence
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
The internet has changed but websites are not gone
The internet and the way people decide what to buy have changed a lot in the last few years. Social media now drives many purchases especially among younger audiences. A Google algorithm update in August 2024 shifted how sites rank and sent more traffic to platforms like Reddit and AI powered tools. Add marketplaces such as Etsy Gumroad and Google My Business where you can sell without a website and the question makes sense. Do you even need a website anymore?
It depends on two things
The simple answer is that whether you need a website depends on two major factors. First who is buying your product. Second what kind of product you are selling. Think about those two before you decide.
Who is buying your product
Your target audience matters. Many younger buyers rely on influencers and social posts for shopping ideas. One study found that Gen Z makes almost half of their online purchasing decisions based on social media alone. That sounds like a reason to skip a website right away. Not so fast.
Even if someone sees a product on social media most people still look at other sources before buying. On average buyers check about five different places online before completing a purchase. The younger the buyer the more likely social media will start the journey but not finish it.
What you are selling
There is a big difference between impulse purchases and considered purchases. Small low cost items often sell well on social platforms and through influencer posts. Higher ticket products require research reviews and price comparison.
For purchases over $500 most people start their research online but not on a company's website. They start with search engines then they check reviews they compare prices and only after that visit the brand's website. This research process can take anywhere from 40 to 157 days.
If your product is higher value or needs explanation you have a lot more convincing to do. That is where a website becomes essential.
The user journey is fractured
Today buyers do not click buy the second they see a product. They jump between Google social platforms review sites and forums. Asking "Do I need a website?" is the wrong question. A better question is "How do I nurture buyers at every stage of the journey?"
Build a holistic online strategy
You do not own your audience on most platforms. Google and Meta could change their algorithms overnight and your traffic could disappear. Myspace and Vine showed how fast traffic can vanish and organic reach on Facebook and Instagram has declined for many brands. Relying only on social media is risky.
Your website gives you control. It is a hub you can shape to tell your story capture leads and convert visitors without being fully dependent on an algorithm. But control goes beyond the website.
Email still wins
There is one platform where you own your audience far more than anywhere else. I call it the old inbox. Email lands directly in your audience's lap and it consistently outperforms social media for conversions. Build your email list early and use your website to grow it. When you pair a website with an engaged email list you have one of the most powerful marketing combos available.
When you can start without a website
Not having a website should not stop you from starting. There are many tools that let you market and sell without one. Marketplaces social storefronts and link pages are great for testing ideas and making early sales. If you want to validate a product fast and keep costs low you can begin without a website.
When you must build a website
If you want to turn a side project into a long term business a website becomes necessary. Here are the main reasons to build one now
- Control over your content and customer experience
- Credibility for higher ticket sales and professional services
- Search presence for people who start research in search engines
- Lead capture through email sign ups and landing pages
- Long term growth that does not depend on a single platform
Practical next steps
If you are deciding whether to build a website follow this simple checklist
- Identify who buys your product and where they start their journey
- Decide if your product is impulse driven or requires research
- Start with marketplaces and social storefronts to validate demand if needed
- Collect email addresses from day one and nurture those leads
- When you are ready invest in a website that acts as your central hub
Final thoughts
Are websites dead? Maybe for some micro sellers or purely impulse driven products a website is not immediately necessary. For any business that wants to grow sustainably build trust and own customer relationships a website is still essential. Do not let the lack of a site stop you from starting. But plan to build one when you are ready to scale.
If you want to be serious about growth own what you can and diversify the rest. Meet your audience where they are on social media and in search results but use a website and email to keep control of your business long term.
Ready to build your website the right way?
If you want to get started with building a website that gives you control, credibility, and real growth potential, we are here to help. At FF Websites, we specialise in creating professional, conversion-focused websites that work as your 24/7 sales tool. Whether you are just starting out or ready to scale, we will build you a site that owns your online presence and captures leads while you sleep.
