If you run a small business in the Red River Valley — whether it’s a machine shop in Halstad, a salon in Fertile, or a cafe in Ada — you’ve probably heard someone say, “You need a website.” And you’ve probably thought, “I’ve got a Facebook page. That’s good enough.”

We get it. You’re busy running your business. But here’s the thing: a website isn’t an expense. It’s your hardest-working employee. It works 24/7, it never calls in sick, and it costs less per month than your coffee habit.

Your Customers Are Already Looking for You Online

Here’s a stat that might surprise you: 97% of people learn about local businesses online before they ever walk through the door. When someone new moves to Crookston or a traveler is passing through East Grand Forks, the first thing they do is pull out their phone and search.

If you don’t have a website, you’re invisible to those people. Your competitor down the street who does have one? They’re getting that business.

”But I Have a Facebook Page”

A Facebook page is better than nothing. But it’s not a substitute for a website. Here’s why:

You don’t own it. Facebook can change its algorithm, charge you more for reach, or shut down your page tomorrow. Your website is yours.
It looks unprofessional. When someone is deciding between two plumbers and one has a clean website with reviews and pricing while the other has a Facebook page with blurry photos from 2019 — who are they calling?
You can’t control the experience. On your website, visitors see exactly what you want them to see. On Facebook, they see ads for your competitors.
Search engines prefer websites. Google doesn’t rank Facebook pages the way it ranks actual websites. If you want to show up when someone searches “electrician near me,” you need a site.

What a Good Website Actually Does for You

A website isn’t just a digital business card. For a small business, it should:

Show up in local searches. When someone Googles “auto repair Fertile MN,” your site appears.
Build trust instantly. A professional site with real photos and clear pricing tells customers you’re legitimate and established.
Answer common questions. Hours, location, services, pricing — put it all on your site so your phone rings with buyers, not tire-kickers.
Capture leads while you sleep. A simple contact form means you wake up to new business inquiries.
Save you time. Instead of explaining your services over and over on the phone, point people to your site.

”Websites Are Expensive”

They used to be. A decade ago, you’d pay $5,000-$10,000 for a basic business site, plus hundreds per month in maintenance. That’s not the reality anymore.

Today, a clean, professional small business website can cost as little as $500 to set up with a small monthly fee for hosting and updates. That’s less than one month of Yellow Pages ads used to cost — and infinitely more effective.

The tools and technology have improved so much that what used to take a team of designers weeks can now be built in days — without cutting corners on quality.

What to Look for in Your First Website

You don’t need anything fancy. Here’s what matters:

Mobile-friendly. More than half your visitors will be on their phones.
Fast loading. If it takes more than 3 seconds to load, people leave.
Clear contact info. Phone number, address, hours — make it dead simple.
Google-optimized. Basic SEO so you actually show up in searches.
A contact form. Let people reach out 24/7.
SSL certificate. That little lock icon that tells visitors your site is secure.

The Bottom Line

Every day without a website is a day you’re leaving money on the table. Your customers are online. Your competitors are online. And with today’s tools and pricing, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be too.

You don’t need a Silicon Valley budget. You just need a site that’s clean, fast, and shows up when your neighbors search for what you do.

Ready to take the first step? Check out our packages — we’ve got options starting at $500 that include everything a small business needs to get found online.