10 compelling reasons why you SHOULD have a website for your business

Digital Technology

There is so much you need to deal with when you start a new business and invariably the questions of a website come into play – do you really need one? 

There is so much you need to deal with when you start a new business and invariably the questions of a website come into play – do you really need one?

If your ideal customers are going to search for your products or services on Google then you need to have an actual website but there are a plethora of other reasons:

• Credibility – You add instant credibility to your business by having a professional website. A website makes your business more trustworthy to 84% of consumers than to those that only have a social media profile. I know from experience that I will look at the website of a business I find on Facebook, knowing that they have the website promotes my trust in the company. In fact, you could be losing up to 30% of prospects, as statistics show they won’t consider a business without a website.  And it gives you the opportunity to establish authority in your industry by providing educational and valuable content.
• Target a wider audience and get new clients – With an online presence you can reach more leads and potential customers through Google Search, the Google 3 map pack, and Google Maps. The more consumers you reach online, the more opportunities to make sales and to extend your local business, around the corner from your customers to a national or global brand.
• Marketing your business – The best return on investment for marketing has been shown to be through websites.
• Controlling your branding and narrative – Representation of your brand and testimonials on other forms of social media are influenced by customers and the public and may not always paint the picture you want exposed, however you can hone your branding and messaging on your website exactly what you want it to be. It also gives you the chance to showcase your services and products.
• Effectively add an additional salesperson – Many people do their own research to make informed purchasing decisions, comparing you and your competitors and will use your websites to find out information. This information can be the final point needed to convert a sale and convincing prospects of the benefits of your services or products.  You also need a place for your longer content for marketing to live, and a website is the perfect place to house it.  By helping customers to get to know your business, you are establishing trust and longer customer relationships.
• Sell online – This certainly came to the foreground with the Pandemic as many businesses pivoted into selling their products or services online to their customers. A website enables you to sell your services and products around the clock.
• Be competitive – 36 percent of small businesses don’t have a website setup, however, 64 percent of them do.  You need to be in it, to be competitive.  But think of it another way, as soon as you get a website then you could be beating out 36% of the competition.
• Visibility – When someone drives past your business and sees your company name, or someone mentions your business then they can easily look you up on Google and find your business details. You can also integrate with Google Maps so people can find directions to your business easily.
• Gain time back – Having a website could actually end up saving you time with your customers. You can provide common questions and answers, removing some of the trading of emails or communications.
• Easy and cost effective – You don’t have to be tech savvy these days to set up a website, there are now website builders that now make it easy to set up a basic good-looking website at a low cost. And the return of investment via new clients can make any costs well worth it.  If you are interested in the options, then watch my video Website and hosting options for Startups and Small Businesses 2020.

29% of small businesses plan to use a website for the first time in 2020, according to one survey. Are you now one of them? Hopefully you are, and now realise that the question is “can I afford not to have a website?”   If you want to be thriving in these uncertain times and for the long term, then a website is one of the best investments you can make.

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