10 Reasons Every Small Business Needs a Website
Why should you have a website for your small business in this day and age? Well we've got a few reasons.
In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for the success of any small business. A well-designed website serves as a powerful tool to attract customers, build credibility, and expand your reach. In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 reasons why every small business should invest in a website.
Number 1. Your Competitors Have One
One of the biggest reasons and one that I try to hammer home with every new/ prospective client; your competitors have a website, so why shouldn't you? If every single on of your competitors have a visually stunning website, packed with useful information about their business, features that make generating leads and sales easy as a snap, and every way of contacting them under the su available at the tap of a finger... and you're rocking a Facebook page? Who do you think they're going to go with? Your competitors obviously put the time and money in to make them look as professional as possible. Which leads me right into my next point...
Number 2. Build Credibility and Professionalism
You ever found an interesting business online, and you click on their link, and it took you to some sketchy website that looks like it was made in 1998 on somebody's mom's computer. It's so outdated looking you're not even sure if this place is still open or not! Or even worse... it takes you to the Facebook log in page (I hate to take another jab at Facebook but this irritates me so much)! Long story short, a website can help build credibility, trustworthiness, and presents a sense of professionalism. This all can help your customers know that you are a real business, you offer something they need, and they should trust you. A stunning, professional looking website will help keep customers on your site longer, which can help generate more sales!
Number 3. Grow Your Online Presence
A website acts as your virtual storefront, available 24/7 to showcase your products or services. It allows potential customers to discover your business, learn about your offerings, and get in touch with you at their convenience. "But wait, can't I do all of that with social media?" Sure. But let me ask you? How many times have you come across a friends account on Instagram, and you realize you haven't seen any of their posts for the last month? It just kind of got lost in the feed. You may a 4th of July sale coming up, and some of your followers may not see it until weeks later when they just happen to stumble across your account again. Social Media is tricky, and filled with millions and millions of other users. A website is all about you, your business, and what you offer. It should be the main pillar of your marketing strategy and the focus point from which you grow your online presence.
Number 4. Reach a Wider Audience
Unlike traditional marketing methods, a website enables you to expand your reach beyond local boundaries. With proper optimization and a good digital marketing strategy, you can attract customers from across the country, or even the world! This opens up new opportunities for growth for you and your business. Social media platforms often limit your growth to just your followers, and print advertising is constricted to only those who physically see it. A website allows the arms of your business to stretch far and wide, allowing your products and services to be put in front of people who may not have ever seen it. Even locally, think about how many people in your town or city don't follow you on Instagram or Facebook, but may be in need of what you offer. Get in front of them and get their attention with an awesome website, then direct them to your other platforms to they can stay up to date with you.
Number 5. Showcase Your Products & Services
With a website, you have complete control over how you present your products or services. You can use high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and even videos to showcase the value and uniqueness of what you offer, enticing customers to make a purchase. No more waiting to be approved by Facebook marketplace before you can sell your products. You're in control of your site, so sell what you want, when you want. It's that simple. Plus, with so many great e-commerce options out there, you can sell physical products to people thousands of miles away, and have complete control over the whole process!
Number 6. Improve Customer Engagement
A website provides a platform for effective customer engagement. By incorporating features like contact forms, live chat, and feedback sections, you can interact with your audience, address their queries, and provide personalized support. I personally have several different contact forms on my website, pertaining to different aspects on my business. You may have a form dedicated to general questions, and another one that's built around a specialty product or service you offer, or one that leads directly into getting a quote. Having different avenues for customers to engage you, and vice versa, can help you build a more tailored approach to supporting them, and leading them towards doing business with you.
Number 7. Cost Effective Marketing
Compared to traditional advertising methods, such as print media or various types of "commercials", a website offers a cost-effective marketing solution. Even though platforms such as Instagram and Facebook are free to use, sponsored content and ads within those platforms can start to get really pricey over time. Now granted, the initial cost of starting a website can be a bit much to choke down, especially if you hire a professional, but the potential return on that investment will have you wishing you had started sooner. With the right digital marketing strategies, you can drive targeted traffic to your site and convert leads into customers without breaking the bank.
Number 8. Collect Valuable Customer Data
No, I'm not talking about getting their phone number and email address so you can sell it to internet scammers trying to reach them about their car's extended warranty. A website allows you to gather valuable insights about your customers. By taking a look at website analytics and user behavior, you can understand customer preferences, identify trends, and make informed business decisions to further optimize your offerings. Plus, you'd be surprised by how valuable an email address can be to your business. Don't underestimate the potential of a good email campaign, and you can get those email addresses by having a little box or pop-up on your site that says "Subscribe" or "Sign-Up." You'll be shocked by how many people want to get "exclusive updates" about your business.
Number 9. Boost Search Engine Visibility
Having a website optimized for search engines increases your visibility in search results such as Google. By incorporating relevant keywords, creating informative content, and implementing proper SEO (search engine optimization) techniques, you can improve your website's ranking and attract organic traffic. For example, if you own a coffee shop, and somebody searches for "hardware stores near me" you probably don't need to popping up. However, if somebody is searching for coffee shops near them, you obviously want to be at the top of the list on Google. A website helps with this, not only by allowing you to customize your SEO to better rank for relevant keywords, but also gives you credibility with Google and other search engines by showing that you are a legit business.
Number 10. Adaptability and Scalability
I would assume that the ultimate goal of your business is to grow. Having your own website provides flexibility and scalability to adapt to your business needs. As your business grows, you may need to switch things up, make some changes, or just provide more for your growing audience. You can easily update and modify content, add new products or services, and expand your website's functionality as your business grows. This ensures it remains aligned with your evolving goals, and provides the most value to your customers. If you sell custom T-Shirts, and you want to start selling hats as well, you're able to expand and adapt your site to meet these new goals
Closing Thoughts
In today's digital landscape, a website is an indispensable asset for every small business. It should be the main pillar of your entire online presence and digital marketing strategy. It serves as a powerful marketing tool, helping you establish and build an online presence, reach a wider audience, enhance credibility, and engage with customers effectively. By investing in a well-designed website, you position your business for growth, success, and increased profitability in the long run. I hope this helps and answers any uncertainties you may have had about starting a website for your business!
If you've made the decision to build a website, and want to tackle the challenge yourself, check out some of our favorite website builders, Wix and Squarespace!
If you're wanting somebody else to do the hard work for you, click HERE to get a quote from yours truly!