Good question.

You need an online presence even if your business is small and your product is a service. 
KEY:  You are always selling something: yourself, your passion, your services, an outcome that inspires….

An online presence is important for customer service.

• Regardless of age, most people today do not use a phonebook. It is their custom and habit to search the internet for phone numbers and addresses.   
• Customers expect you to have a website and they count on it being a current and comprehensive overview of what you offer for services. Many are suspect if you are not
• It is a respectful way of keeping clients informed about promotions, upcoming events, new products, tips and highlights; they can access this information when and how they choose.

An online presence is a key tool in a company’s business plan and marketing strategy.

• It allows customers, prospective clients, and potential employees / business partners to quickly and easily find out about your business and services.
• It is a place to showcase your business – years of service, types of services and features, testimonials from current clients, images of a clean, relaxing atmosphere, messages that demonstrate how you compare to the many companies that are your competitors.
• Less than $200/year (not counting one-time set up/periodic edits), a website is a cost-effective, low maintenance way of advertising your business – added to free Facebook, Instagram LinkedIn, Twitter – especially compared to expenses of printing and mailing brochures, putting up a bulletin board, or publishing weekly ads in local papers.