Today you can have a website for pretty much anything — from crowdfunding campaigns to personal fan pages to formal business pages. If your business has arrived this far without a website, you might be wondering: is a website required for my business? My business is already successful without a website why should I spend time and money on developing one?
In surveys, many business owners say they don’t have the time or the money to build a website. There is a surprising number say that they don’t need a website in the first place, either because it’s not required or because they use social media instead.
That opinion is rapidly changing now, especially as the coronavirus makes in-person business more difficult. We’ve put together some specific reasons why your small business needs have its own website.
A website adds to your credibility
84% of consumers believe that a well-designed website makes your business more credible. The credibility is increased by adding any professional certificates or awards your business has.
Displaying your best reviews and/or testimonials prominently on your website is a great way to establish social credibility. This might come in the form of personal customer testimonials, like this review on the website of the non-profit organization
Attract new customers through Google and social media
To increase your customer-base, you need to optimize the website (using SEO) so that search engine finds your website and also by posting on social media. A well-optimized website can help your business rank well for a variety of search terms and attract a steady stream of new customers.
Showcase your products and services
Displaying the products and services will leverage your business multi-fold. A good website designer can design the website to communicate to customers the relevant details of the product or the services.
Website is a very important tool to communicate your branding message
Getting the right customer is important for effective marketing. A well-thought-out and implemented brand strategy goes a long way in communicating specifically to your target market. It establishes your place in the industry.
Generate enquiries
By studying the psychology of the target market, a good designer can increase the possibility of the visitor to the website, to place an order or an enquiry for a service or product. Normally, if the branding is done well the enquiries generated from the website are very likely to proceed with placing an order with you.
Cost-effective solutions
A well designed and well planned website is always much more cost-effective and efficient than any other business promotion tool. However, I would like to say that you cannot expect anything much from a website developed just to have an online presence. It must be taken seriously as an important marketing tool that generates revenue.
A website ensures your success in the long term. However, you, as the owner, must work closely with your designer and work on the branding strategy to increase the effectiveness of the website.
In 2020, almost 4.54 billion people (59% of the global population) are using the Internet, and more and more people are getting online. Without a website, your business is invisible to these people. As we progress further into the digital era, your business will become invisible to everyone unless you invest in a website.
So to stay competitive in this increasingly digital world, your business necessary to get online.