The Internet is an amazing thing for so many reasons, but one of the great things about it is that it has levelled the playing field when it comes to competing with the ‘big boys’ in your industry. No matter how small your business is, if you have a website, it affords you the same amount of attention one would give to your competitor. This reason alone should convince you that you need a website! However, if that reason doesn’t convince you, here are a few more:
1. Your customers expect it
Your customers expect to be able to find your business on the Internet. They want a place where they can read up about who you are and what you do. A website is the best place to provide customers and potential customer with online content about your business, whether this be a weekly blog or updated product information. If you don’t have a business website, today’s digital-savvy customers WILL look elsewhere, and you will lose valuable, potential customers.
2. You control the narrative
You cannot control what others say about you on social media channels, but you can influence public perception by creating your own story via a business website. You can create your own story using blogs, videos and images, that help you get your message, mission, and personality in front of your target audience faster than traditional marketing solutions can.
3. Your competitors all have company websites
This shouldn’t intimidate you. First impressions last. Some large companies have websites that are not user-friendly, and difficult to navigate around, making potential customers leave their site very quickly. If your website is professional, slick and user-friendly, it will appear that you are more on top of your game than your competitor, and it will generate business.
4. Your business is always open for business
You may not work after hours, but some people only have the time to do their online searching and purchasing after hours. Having a business website or ecommerce store means that you can be delivering information or selling products 25/7. Your online presence supports marketing campaigns, customer service, client relationship building, brand recognition, and almost every other element of the revenue stream.
5. You’ll show up in Google search results
Consider this: most consumers perform online research before making a purchase. This means they go to Google and type in one or more keywords, such as “best leather shoes”. If you don’t have a website for your business, the chances of showing up on the search engine results page (SERP) are zero. But if you have a site, you can optimize it for search engines, thereby increasing your chances of appearing at the top of Google’s results and getting more visibility with potential customers.
6. You can showcase your products and services
Your website provides you with the best platform where can you display your products or outline your services in detail with captivating images, short video tutorials or downloadable PDF instructions to give your potential customers a sense of what you do or how you do it.
7. Your website improves customer service
By including a FAQ page, adding articles or uploading newsletters to answer all your customers’ questions you can always keep them up-to-date. What better way to provide your customers with value added service than by sharing information on your website.
Having a website is imperative for your business! It will give your business credibility and show your customers and potential customers that you are professional and are on the map!
If, after reading this, you are in need of a website, or a website revamp, contact us on crew@currentconsulting.co.za