undefined | Better HN

0 pointsLatencyKills1mo ago0 comments

> How do you know this place even exists without any information?

You want to find an antique book store in another state. How do you find it? You search the web. And what information bubbles to the top of the search results? Answer: businesses with websites.

If you are a business owner, you will lose customers without a website, because that is how most people will find you.

You might not like it... but that is the reality.

0 comments

mlrtime1mo ago

I don't think so, for the majority of the world (not HN), the first hit will be google maps or equivalent if there is no website. It works fine.

A website also works, I'm not anti-website. But the tone of the article is absurd IMO.

abustamam1mo ago

If I'm looking for a physical place I usually just look at Google maps. "Minneapolis antique bookstores." I'll look at pics, see if the vibe is cool, etc. Relying on Google SEO is a recipe for disaster in my experience because there's no guarantee that the bookstore is even in or near Minneapolis. Other people probably browse the web differently though.

I honestly would not expect an antique bookstore to have a website, unless they let you buy their books online.

LatencyKillsOP1mo ago

> If I'm looking for a physical place I usually just look at Google maps.

Ah yes... I'm sure that is what 99% of people do. /s

You don't like reality... and that's fine. You do you. But, most businesses do need a web presence if they want be be discovered by the majority of potential customers.

mlrtime1mo ago

They actually don't. Especially one that doesn't do any e-commerce.

LatencyKillsOP1mo ago

I'd literally bet my house that most people do a simple google search. No one goes to google maps as the first option when trying to find things unless they are in their car. (Well, except for you, of course)

In 2026, companies who want their customers to easily find them will have some type of web presence. I'm sorry that it is such a hardship for you.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

mlrtime1mo ago

I don't think so, for the majority of the world (not HN), the first hit will be google maps or equivalent if there is no website. It works fine.

A website also works, I'm not anti-website. But the tone of the article is absurd IMO.

abustamam1mo ago

I honestly would not expect an antique bookstore to have a website, unless they let you buy their books online.

LatencyKillsOP1mo ago

> If I'm looking for a physical place I usually just look at Google maps.

Ah yes... I'm sure that is what 99% of people do. /s

You don't like reality... and that's fine. You do you. But, most businesses do need a web presence if they want be be discovered by the majority of potential customers.

mlrtime1mo ago

They actually don't. Especially one that doesn't do any e-commerce.

LatencyKillsOP1mo ago

In 2026, companies who want their customers to easily find them will have some type of web presence. I'm sorry that it is such a hardship for you.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse