Since you are on my dog walking website right now, you can assume that I believe you need a website for your own dog walking business.

Assumption correct! I absolutely believe that all small businesses need a website. 

I mean think about it, I would love to say that when I am looking for a service in my area that I call up my friends and ask for referrals from them.

Well, the truth is, I pull out my phone and Google it. I look at the reviews and pick the business that I believe will best suit my needs. I rarely ever talk to an actual human about it.

When I moved to a new city in a different province, I did not know anyone so when I was looking for a dentist, I Googled it. Looking for grocery stores, Google. Optometrist, gym, basically every need that I had, Google.

What I am trying to say here, is that if you show up on the first page of a search engine with a decent-looking, functional website, you will be thankful. People will click on your link, I promise!

So, besides convenience for potential clients, why else are websites necessary for your dog walking business?

First Impressions

Your website is basically a welcoming committee to your business. It’s often the first time that a potential client ‘meets’ you. They now know that you exist. An engaging, functional website can help persuade a future client to contact you.

Your Existence Is Proven

Say a potential client was given a referral from someone they knew. Well, now they can check you out for themselves before contacting you.

They can check out your services and see what they may be interested in. As well, a website provides validation that you actually do exist!

You’re Right For The Job

Since potential clients can check out your website before actually contacting you directly, they can get an idea if you are the right fit for the job they need. 

Don’t be afraid to show off your skills, highlight any and all qualifications you have, and don’t be modest. Make sure a potential client knows you are right for the job. (Unless, of course, you aren’t!)

A Website Increases Your Credibility

Having a website proves that you are the real deal. You are serious about dog walking and it is in fact your full-time job.

A good website helps to establish trust before a potential client even meets you. Adding client reviews helps increase your credibility tenfold, so don’t be afraid to ask any long-time clients for a sentence or two about the great service you provide.

A Cut Above

A website that shows up near the top of a Google search page will get more clicks than one that doesn’t. Plain and simple. If your competitors do not have a website, you will show up and they won’t. 

And no, a Facebook page is not the same as a website. A FB page may show up on the Google search results, but over time, an actual website will get that first spot on Google. 

Don’t get me wrong, you should have a Facebook page for your business, but in addition to a website, not in place of one.

Quite frankly, a website allows you to compete with other dog walkers. If they don’t have a website, well you are outranking them, aren’t you? You will get the business that they don’t because they are not easy to find.

Oh, ya definitely register your dog walking business with Google My Business to help increase the likelihood of getting that first spot on Google.

Also, Bing and Yahoo are other search engines you should try and rank in as well. Maybe not as popular as the almighty Google, but people still use them.

Anyone Can Do It

Setting up a website may seem daunting, but in all honesty, anyone can do it. See my website you are on right now? I made it.

Am I a coding genius? No. I have never coded in my life.

Am I some sort of computer whiz? No. I follow tutorials on the internet.

While I can set up a website fairly easily, I am by no means an expert, so I am going to point you in the right direction if this is your first rodeo with website design.

I follow Miles Beckler, he is a reputable online marketer. You don’t need to buy any of his products, in fact, he gives away most of his knowledge for free.

Just follow the steps he outlines here to set up your website for optimal functionality.

Just to be clear, Miles is an internet marketer and makes his money from his websites, so the information is geared toward affiliate marketing, but setting up a website is the same for everyone, even dog walkers!

Side Note: Having another source of income, such as affiliate marketing, is not a bad idea so if you like what you read, dive deeper into affiliate marketing with Miles and you will not be disappointed. 

Also, I am not sponsored or earning affiliate income from Miles, he is just one of the few trustworthy people on the internet that I highly recommend.

I hope I have convinced you to build a website for your dog walking business. It’s really not that hard, I promise you. 

Take this website, for example, do you think I designed it? Nope! I used a template.

There are so many templates you can choose from that are free on WordPress. You can just choose one and pop in your information.

If even the thought of picking a template is daunting, consider hiring a website builder. You could hire a professional, and that will cost you. However, if you wanted to save a couple of bucks, you could just ask a family member, friend, or student.

Setting up a website is so easy these days that you don’t have to be a professional to make an awesome one. 

If you have a website for your dog walking business, drop it in the comments below so we can check them out and toot our own horns!