7 Myths About Website Creation

As a small business owner, you've likely been told that you need a huge, sprawling website with tens (if not hundreds) of pages to truly succeed online. However, in my professional opinion, that’s a myth that can lead business owners down an expensive, overbuilt rabbit hole.

The truth? For most small businesses, at least local small business owners, a massive website is overkill. A more focused, strategic approach can be smarter and more effective. (Not to mention, less expensive!)

Myth #1: The Bigger the Website, the Better

While it's true that larger businesses with vast product catalogs may need big sites, small businesses with fewer services are better served by quality over quantity.

Massive sites frequently struggle with poor architecture, usability issues, content gaps and sprawl, all of which negatively impacts user experience.

Yes, there ARE SEO (search engine optimization) advantages to having lots of content, but a lean site with well-crafted, relevant pages that speak to the needs of your audience will always trump an aimless, bloated giant.

Myth #2: You Need to Launch With 20+ Pages

This arbitrary page-count benchmark is often pushed but can be a costly mistake if you're a smaller business. Having too many ancillary pages dilutes your core messaging and creates holes in your experience that can frustrate visitors.

Far better is to start with a tight 5-7 pages covering key info like services, about, contact details and then scale out additional content and sections over time based on what proves valuable.

It is even possible (and profitable) to start with a one-page site that defines what you do, who you are, and why someone should choose you – quickly, concisely, and affordably. You can always grow the website as your business grows.

Myth #3: A Big Website Will Automatically Rank High on Google

This SEO myth is pervasive but deeply flawed. Google doesn't simply rank websites based on size, but on relevance, quality, authority and user experience signals. (“If you build it they will come is NOT true!”)

A large site stuffed with thin, under optimized content can be outranked by a focused, technically-sound smaller competitor who follows SEO best practices.

Quality and nailing keyword priorities outperforms blind quantity every time.

Myth #4: High Development Costs = Higher Success Potential

This myth trips up countless business owners who overspend based on the dangerous "you get what you pay for" mindset.

The reality is, many affordable, strategically built sites on lean platforms or templates outperform bloated, overengineered, customized sites lacking cohesive planning. (And these smaller sites are easier to maintain.)

Don't conflate bigger budgets with guaranteed results - smart, data-driven execution matters most.

Myth #5: Build It and It Will Serve Us for Years ?

Sadly, websites are not "set it and forget it " assets that future-proof your business. Technology evolves. User behaviors shift (like mobile-first design). Competitors innovate. Your own business grows and changes.

Treat your website as a living, evolving platform that requires continuous updates, optimizations and adaptations.

Myth #6: My Business Is Too Complex for a "Simple" Website

While your products or services may be highly specialized, your website doesn't need to be overly complex to communicate that value.

Overcomplicating the user experience with confusing layouts, legalese, or extraneous sections often does more harm than good. Clean, focused websites that guide visitors clearly and spotlight your key differentiators resonate better.

Myth #7: More Pages = More Leads/Sales/Conversions

This myth keeps small businesses overstuffing their websites with arbitrary additions that often backfire.

More pages don't always help. In fact, studies show that having simpler user paths with fewer pages can boost leads and sales more than complicated, lengthy websites.

Who DOES Need a Bigger Website?

It would be unfair and untrue to imply that there’s never a need for a larger digital presence. E-commerce companies with extensive product catalogs, businesses offering diverse services, those in highly competitive markets, and companies planning for global or multi-brand expansion may need robust website architectures with comprehensive content and capabilities from the start.

Additionally, businesses on a rapid growth trajectory with plans to integrate e-commerce, advanced multimedia, self-service portals, and other rich functionalities can benefit from a scalable, future-proof website over a basic online brochure.

Summary: Bigger Is Not Always Better, When It Comes to Websites

Small local businesses can often find success starting lean and scaling their online strategy over time.

A smart, focused, quality-over-quantity online presence supported by strategy and data instead of delusions can be the much smarter approach to drive growth.

Article written by Diana Ratliff, Your Friend on the Web and founder of Brochure Sites. For an affordable, simple, fast and professional online presence, check out this one-page website service. Ideal for small/local businesses. Establishes your credibility without breaking the bank!