Digital Presence in 2026: Why Websites Still Matter in a Noisier, Faster, More Demanding World

Recently, during on a call, a friend and client spoke about the value of a website in today’s market. Her company is an established spa, and she mentioned that while she used to ensure her company had an updated website design almost every year, today she barely maintains one. She stopped updating it because her business is entirely based on word-of-mouth referrals—and it works perfectly for her.

This conversation highlights a shift in digital relevance. With 6.04 billion people now online (73.2% of the global population), the digital landscape is crowded, but how people navigate it has evolved. A website is the single source of truth for any entity, but it is a tool, not a trophy. Whether you need one depends on your specific business model and the “soul” of your brand.

Here is how we discover and define that need, backed by the latest global data.

How We Are Found

For businesses relying exclusively on word-of-mouth, a website might simply serve as a digital business card. However, for those looking to break out of their current circle, the data tells a compelling story. “Finding information” remains the number one reason people use the internet globally (60.7%). Furthermore, search engines are the second most common way people discover new brands (32.7%), sitting right behind social media ads.

If you run a local service—a bakery, a plumbing service, or a gym—people are typing “best [service] near me” into Google. Without a website, you are invisible to this massive segment of customers actively hunting for your craft.

A Foundation of Trust

When a potential client hears your name, their first instinct is often to research you. If nothing comes up, or only a LinkedIn profile appears, we have to ask if that aligns with the brand image you want to project. Data confirms this behaviour: when internet users are researching brands they want to buy from, “Brand Websites” are a top source of information (43.0%)—ranking higher than consumer review sites or price comparison sites. A professional domain isn’t just a technicality; it signals that you are an established entity worth researching. It is about building trust through transparency.

Building on Rented Land

We often ask clients how much they trust social media algorithms. If your entire business lives on Instagram or TikTok, you are effectively building on rented land. While 94.1% of internet users use social networks, the primary reason for using them is shifting. On platforms like TikTok, 80.3% of users are there to “look for funny/entertaining content,” while only 26.3% use it to message friends. As platforms pivot to entertainment algorithms, your business updates can easily get buried. A website allows you to capture email addresses and build a database of customers that you own, insulating you from this volatility.

Crafting Tools for Engagement

Weekly online shopping has become the norm, with 56.5% of internet users purchasing a product online every single week. Furthermore, 74.5% of internet users visited a shopping, auction, or classifieds site in the last month. Even service businesses can tap into this by selling digital products, gift cards, or subscriptions online. Beyond commerce, a website creates space for automation—handling bookings and scheduling so you can focus on the work itself.

Meeting People Where They Are

If you decide a website is the right investment for your business, it must respect how people actually live. Mobile phones now account for 59.14% of all web traffic, and 96.0% of internet users access the web via a smartphone. A site is only as strong as the care it receives, and creating a seamless mobile experience is an act of care for your audience. If a site doesn’t load fast or look good on a small screen, we aren’t just losing style points; we are losing the majority of potential visitors.

The heart of the matter

A website isn’t a requirement for every business. For the small business at capacity with referral-only clients, or the creator validating an idea, it might be unnecessary overhead. But for those looking to serve customers better and build an asset they truly own, it is worth the investment.

With Google receiving 83.3 billion visits a month, the opportunity to be found is immense. You shouldn’t build a website just because we think we “should.” We build it when it solves a real problem, helps us tell a better story, and allows your brand to thrive.