I checked 50 local businesses in Wollondilly — here’s how many don’t have a website
- Melanie Johnstone
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 7
Last week I spent a few hours doing something a bit nerdy — but genuinely eye-opening.
I looked at 50 local businesses across Tahmoor, Picton, Thirlmere, Bargo and the wider Wollondilly region to see how they actually show up online — their website, Google Business Profile (GBP), Facebook and Instagram.
I expected to find a few gaps. I didn’t expect what I found.
If you’re running a service-based business in the Wollondilly, there’s a good chance some of this applies to you.
38% of local Wollondilly businesses have no website at all
19 out of 50 businesses audited — Wollondilly region, April 2026
Nearly 4 in 10 local businesses have no website, no landing page, and no clear place for customers to find them online.
If someone searches for a plumber in Tahmoor or a beauty salon in Picton, and your business doesn't show up properly, that job goes to someone else.
What I checked — and what I found
I looked at two main groups:
Trades (builders, plumbers, electricians)
Hair & beauty businesses
Here's a snapshot:
Category | Businesses checked | No website | GBP not maintained |
Trades | 30 | 30% (9) | 54% (16) |
Hair & Beauty | 20 | 65% (13) | 80% (16) |
40% of hair & beauty businesses were operating entirely through Facebook — no website, no booking page, no Google profle and no Instagram.
It's not just "no website" — some don't work.
Of the businesses that do have a website, I found:
broken links
"coming soon" pages
inconsistent details across website and profiles
I came across a local business whose website link led to a dead page — no phone number, no information, nothing.
In some ways, that's worse than having no website at all.
A broken website makes customers wonder whether you're still in business or care enough to keep things updated.
Quick Reality Check: Go to Google right now and search your own business name. What shows up? Is your address correct? Are your hours right? Is there a link to your website? Does everything match across platforms? If any of that is wrong — or missing — you're losing customers.
The Google Business Profile (GBP) gap
Even among businesses with a website, 60% of the ones I checked had an unmaintained Google Business Profile — meaning their listing was incomplete, out of date, or not linked to their website. This matters because GBP is often the first thing someone sees when they search for a local business. Customers land here before your website. If it's stale, that's the impression you leave.
A few specific issues I noticed:
Business names on Google didn't match the name used on the website or social accounts
The GBP did not provide links to the business website or social accounts
Some profiles had zero reviews, photos, or contact details
Very few businesses actively posted updates or responded to customer reviews
All of this quietly hurts your ranking in local search results — and most business owners have no idea it's happening.
The Facebook Trap
Almost every business I checked — 88% — had a Facebook page. So why isn't that enough?
Because Facebook and a website do different jobs.
Facebook = updates, community, posts
Website = credibility, information, trust
A Facebook page might get you seen…
but a website helps customers decide.
And importantly, you don't own Facebook.
If the platform changes, limits your reach, or restricts your account, your entire online presence can disappear overnight.
A website is yours.
It works 24/7, shows up in Google, and gives customers a clear, professional place to go.
So what should local businesses do?
If you're one of the 38% without a website — or one of the 60% with an outdated Google profile — the good news is that getting sorted doesn't have to be complicated or expensive.
A simple, well-built website with the right information is genuinely enough to:
show up in Google
build trust
make it easier for customers to contact you
Look out for my blog posts over the next few weeks for a breakdown on:
what your options are
what they cost
what changes when you finally get properly set up online
If you're not sure where your business sits, I'm happy to take a quick look.
TL;DR
Nearly 4 in 10 local businesses have no website
Many others have one — but it's broken, outdated, or not connected properly
Facebook ≠ a full online presence
Your Google profile is often the first impression customers get
👉 If it's not right, you're losing work.
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