The state of York small business websites, 2026
I checked the homepages of 461 small business websites in York, nearby towns and Harrogate in October 2026. Here is what I found, how I did it, and how to check your own site in five minutes.
Last checked: 22 October 2026. By Yehor, York Websites, Easingwold.
What I found
402 of the sites come from public directories, and that is the main sample. The figures below are for working sites in that sample unless stated.
- 62% have no tap-to-call link on the homepage (188 of 305). For cafes, restaurants and takeaways it is 69%. About half of them show the number as plain text that cannot be tapped.
- 54% of customer-facing businesses show no opening hours as text on the homepage (105 of 196).
- 20% of the listed websites were not working (74 of 379): the address no longer exists, gives an error, is parked or says "coming soon". Some of those businesses may have closed.
- 22% of sites that show a copyright year say 2023 or earlier (41 of 186).
- 13% are missing HTTPS or the mobile viewport tag (39 of 305).
- Only 25% passed every basic check that applies to them.
By type of business
| Type | Sites | Down or parked | No tap-to-call | No hours text | No mobile viewport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cafes, restaurants & takeaways | 56 | 24% | 69% | 59% | 0% |
| Pubs | 55 | 16% | 65% | 48% | 4% |
| Salons & barbers | 58 | 32% | 54% | 44% | 5% |
| Garages & MOT | 25 | 9% | 60% | 55% | 0% |
| Shops & retail | 53 | 14% | 62% | 62% | 12% |
| Trades | 59 | 21% | 52% | n/a | 14% |
| B&Bs & guesthouses | 51 | 22% | 75% | n/a | 8% |
| Pet services | 15 | 29% | 50% | 60% | 0% |
Small groups are rough. York, nearby towns and Harrogate looked broadly similar, so this is not a York-only problem.
How I did it
I built a list of independent local businesses with websites from public directories (Indie York, Thomson Local and Visit York) and removed national chains. A script loaded each homepage once, politely: two at a time, no forms, nothing beyond the homepage. It looked for a working page, valid HTTPS, a mobile viewport tag, a tap-to-call link, opening hours as text and the copyright year in the footer. A further 59 sites from my own lead research were checked too, but they are left out of the headline figures because they were more likely to have weak sites.
What this study cannot tell you
- It is not a random sample of every business. The sample was balanced by type and area, and firms with no website at all are not included.
- A script cannot see opening hours in images, or phone numbers and hours that sit on another page.
- "No tap-to-call link" does not mean no phone number. Some phones make plain numbers tappable.
- It is one snapshot, with a margin of error of about 5 percentage points overall, more for small groups. Sites that blocked automated checks were left out.
- I sell websites, so I have published the method so you can judge for yourself. No business is named.
Check your own website in five minutes
Open your homepage on your phone and go through this list.
- Does it load at all? Type your address in a fresh browser tab. Any error, "coming soon" or a for-sale page? Fix this first.
- Is there a padlock? The address should start with https:// and show no warning. Also try http:// and check it jumps to https://.
- Does it fit a phone screen? No pinching or sideways scrolling needed.
- Can a customer call in one tap? Your phone number should be a link, not just text. Tap it: does your phone offer to call?
- Are your opening hours on the homepage, as real text? Include bank holiday changes. Not only in an image.
- Does the footer say 2026? An old year looks like a closed shop. Update it or remove it.
- Is it quick? The page should start showing within about two seconds on mobile data.
- Is your Google listing the same? Same name, phone, hours and web address everywhere.
For a longer list, see the 12-point website checklist. Want it checked for you? The free website check gives you a plain-English list.
Questions people ask
Which businesses are in the study?
Independent cafes, pubs, salons, garages, shops, trades, guesthouses and pet services listed in public directories, in York, nearby towns and Harrogate. National chains were left out. No business is named.
Does no tap-to-call link mean no phone number?
No. About half of those sites show a number as plain text. Some phones make plain numbers tappable, but many do not, and a proper link always works.
How accurate are the figures?
Whole-sample figures have a margin of error of about 5 percentage points, more for single business types. It is one snapshot taken on 22 October 2026, not a census.
Journalists and local groups are welcome to use these figures with a link to this page. The full report is available on request.
New sites from £350 and fixes from £60, no monthly fees. Ring or WhatsApp 07356 082474, or email [email protected].