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If you want me to be honest, you’ve probably lost at least 20+ potential customers if you don’t have a professional website for your equine business.
Let’s start with some intense facts:
- 81% of retail shoppers conduct online research before making a purchase
- Equestrian consumers are 50% more reliant on online feedback compared to mainstream markets
- 93% of consumers say online reviews influence their shopping choices
- 76% of consumers check out a business’s online presence before physically visiting
In an industry as relationship and trust-driven as the equestrian world, these numbers are more than statistics. If your business isn’t online, they represent missed opportunities and income
"All I Need is Social Media, Right?"
You started your equine business and immediately set up Facebook and Instagram pages. After consistently posting for a while, you began gaining traction (and inquiries!). Now you’re receiving most of your business through social media and can simply direct people you meet to your social pages.
With social media seemingly working so well, you’ve been putting off building a website (or having one built) because you don’t think you need one.
But let me ask you this: What happens if your social media accounts get hacked? Or if these platforms experience an extended outage? How will your customers find and contact you?
That, my friends, is why your equine business needs a website.
5 Powerful Benefits of Creating a Website for Your Equine Business
1. It gives your equine business credibility and legitimacy
Having an equine business website shows your clients that you mean business. When potential clients or customers search for your services online and can’t find a website, it leaves them feeling disappointed and questioning your professionalism.
When you build an online home, you position your business as an expert resource within the equine community. Potential clients will trust you more because they see you’ve invested time and money in your website (and business).
2. You own the content (so you don't have to worry about losing it)
Unlike social media platforms where your content exists at the mercy of Instagram or Facebook, your website is an online platform where everything you create belongs to you.
Your website won’t be banned or taken from you the way a social media account can be. And you won’t have to worry about dealing with frustrating algorithm changes every couple of months that suddenly reduce your visibility.
3. It helps potential clients find you (hello, SEO!)
If this reason doesn’t convince you to build a website, I don’t know what will! Having a website for your equine business significantly increases the chances of potential clients finding you online through search engines.
Think about it for a minute. How many times have you searched for a product or service online and purchased from a company you found through a Google search? Probably more than a few times.
Not all of your dream clients are hanging out on social media. By having a website, you can reach a wider range of potential clients and customers who might never have found you otherwise.
What’s SEO and why should you care?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is just a fancy way of saying “make your website show up when people search for your stuff.” Nothing more complicated than that!
Here’s the best part: most equine businesses don’t have a decent website, let alone a strategy for SEO. That means with just a little effort, you can get a marketing edge over your competitors. While SEO isn’t an overnight miracle (sorry!), it’s absolutely worth the time for your horse business.
Want to really outshine your competition? Check out my complete guide to SEO for equine business owners to learn how to make Google fall in love with your website.
4. It's available 24/7 to showcase your work
When you create an equine business website, you essentially expand your business hours to “24/7.” Your clients (current and prospective) can easily access information about you and your business whenever they want.
No more answering text messages about your pricing at 10 PM. Your website becomes your dream employee—working around the clock to help your clients!
It also provides the perfect place to professionally showcase all your previous work and testimonials in one spot. Depending on what type of work you do within the industry, you can feature photos or stories from happy clients.
5. It's just plain expected.
Let’s be honest: your clients expect you to have a website. It’s the 21st century, and there are SO many options for creating a website. There’s really no excuse for a business to be offline – no matter how “old school” you might consider yourself.
But Aren't Websites Expensive to Create?
Not all websites are created equally, which means they’re not priced equally either. Of course, a professional website will require an investment—but it’s just that: an investment.
In most cases, a professional website design for your equine business will allow you to increase sales and get in front of the right audience, making it well worth the money spent.
But I get better than anyone that investing in a professional website doesn’t make sense for every equine business owner, especially if you’re just starting out (or just got hit with a big vet bill).
The good news is that today, it’s easier than ever to build and set up your own website for as little as $15 a month. There are TONS of platforms built to allow you to drag and drop your dream site.
Some of my favorites are:
- WordPress with Elementor
- Squarespace
- Shopify (perfect for e-commerce equestrians)
Why I Don't Recommend Wix
Notice Wix isn’t on my list? There’s a reason for that. While it lures you in with its “anyone can do it!” marketing, Wix is like that flashy but untrustworthy horse dealer – looks great initially, but you’ll regret the purchase later.
Their drag-and-drop editor is clunky and uncooperative (especially on mobile), their SEO capabilities make Google yawn, and they’re notorious for slow loading times. They’re also really tricky about letting you move to another platform – most of your content will have to be manually copied + pasted rather than uploaded.
But hey – just because I don’t recommend it, doesn’t mean that it won’t work for you. This is just my personal opinion as a professional designer.
Essential Elements Every Equine Business Website Needs
Before you gallop off to build your website, let’s talk about what makes a great equine business website. At minimum, your site should include:
- A clear homepage that immediately tells visitors what you do and who you serve
- About page that shares your equestrian background and expertise
- Services/Products page detailing exactly what you offer and pricing (if appropriate)
- Contact information that’s easy to find (not buried five clicks deep)
- Testimonials from happy clients (because equestrians trust other equestrians)
- High-quality photos that showcase your facility, services, or products
How Long Does Creating a Website Actually Take?
Let’s talk timelines, because this is where many equine business owners get tripped up:
Professional website package: Typically takes 4-6 weeks from start to finish when working with someone like me.
DIY website: This is where things get interesting. While you can technically set up a basic site in a weekend, most equestrians I work with report spending 6+ months on their DIY attempts, often ending up frustrated and with a site they’re not proud of.
Just last week, a client told me: “I spent every Sunday for four months trying to figure out Squarespace. I finally realized that time would have been better spent actually working with the horses…”
Success Story: From DIY Struggle to Professional Results
Rachel from Rachel Sloan Photography knows this struggle all too well.
She spent countless hours trying to DIY everything from her brand to her website, eventually hitting a wall of frustration and burnout. Like many equestrians, Rachel is incredibly capable and used to figuring things out herself, but she finally realized her time was better spent behind the camera than wrestling with website code.
After hiring me to create both her brand and website, Rachel can finally feel like the professional she is while enjoying regular online inquiries rolling in her inbox (because Google loves her site). She can actually focus on her photography instead of trying to be a web designer on the side.
FAQ: Common Questions About Equine Business Websites
Isn’t social media enough for now? I can always build a website later.
While social media is great for community building, you’re essentially renting space on someone else’s platform. Algorithms change, accounts get hacked, and platforms can even disappear (remember Vine?). Your website is property you own.
I’m not tech-savvy. Will I be able to update my site myself?
Absolutely! Modern website platforms are designed to be user-friendly. Plus, when you work with a professional like me, I’ll make sure you’re comfortable managing basic updates before handing over the keys.
How much content do I need before launching a website?
You don’t need to write a novel! Start with the essentials: what you do, who you serve, and how to contact you. You can always add more content over time. And if you need help, check out my copywriting tips to get you started.
What if my equine business is seasonal? Is a website still worth it?
Even more so! Your website works year-round, even when your business isn’t actively operating. It can capture leads during your off-season so you have a waitlist ready when you open back up.
Do different equine businesses need different types of websites?
Yes! A boarding facility needs different features than a tack shop or a trainer. For example:
- Trainers benefit from a detailed about page and testimonials
- Boarding facilities need stunning photos and clear service descriptions
- Tack shops require e-commerce functionality
- Service providers (vets, farriers, etc.) need online booking and service areas
The Verdict: Your Equine Business Does, In Fact, Need a Website
The results are in: your equine business really does need a website. A website will quickly become one of your greatest business assets (next to you, of course!).
If you don’t have the budget to hire a professional to help, you can absolutely take the time to build your own. But if I’ve convinced you that you need a website and you have no idea where to start, learn more about my website design packages. I’d love to walk you through the process of getting your business online.
