A well-crafted site is essential for any business
There aren’t many businesses that can survive without an online presence, and with today’s tools and technology, there’s really no reason not a website.
A business website is a highly effective marketing tool and it can be very cost-efficient for the value it brings.
If you’re still in doubt here are a few of the primary reasons why today’s businesses need a website.
Reason 1: go where your customers are
More than 3.2 billion people use the internet every day, and around 90 percent of those people have purchased something or contacted a company online in the last year. So by not having a website, businesses are missing out on a big piece of the pie.
A website is a venue for potential customers to learn more about your business, research what you offer and determine if they want to be a customer. If you’re a small business owner, a website is no longer an expensive luxury — it’s a fundamental and increasingly affordable tool that every company needs.
Reason 2: instant credibility
Not showing up in the search engines (or on the Internet at all for that matter) is one of the fastest ways to lose credibility as a business. It makes a company look dated and possibly untrustworthy.
By building a website you are giving your business the opportunity to tell consumers why they should trust you with their hard earned dollars. Add additional information on your products or happy customers and you also provide reasoning on why visitors should buy/sell/use your services.
Even with word-of-mouth marketing, you could be missing out on a ton of referrals. Happy customers are quick to share what they think about your business, but what about their friends and family who haven’t experienced your services yet? They take to the Internet. And when they don’t find you, they’ll often find someone else in the hunt online.
Reason 3: communicate with customers
Online forms or blogs can help you communicate easily with buyers. Your website can serve as an online notice board to update customers on new products, photos, promotions, events, and other business news.
Reason 4: findability
Nothing is more important than the ability to be found. If you don’t have an established online identity, then customers can’t find you.
While you might already have an established customer base, a website is a surefire way to connect with new customers who might be unfamiliar with your business.
Plus, search engines often rank results according to location. In other words, if you’re looking for “apartments near me,” Google won’t offer a list of apartment communities list in Denver (unless, of course, you are in fact searching in Denver).
In the end, a modern, mobile-friendly website is an invaluable marketing tool. There are quite a few benefits and very little downside.
