10 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Website
Before we start talking about the reasons why you should own a website, it is best for us to know what a website is.
What is a website?
“A website is a collection of publicly accessible, interlinked Web pages that share a single domain name. Websites can be created and maintained by an individual, group, business or organization to serve a variety of purposes. Together, all publicly accessible websites constitute the World Wide Web” — Techopedia
In it’s most basic form, think of a website as being an online brochure or catalog that can be updated at any time. It is much easier to update information about your products and services on your website than it is in a print brochure or catalog.
Having a small website isn’t just about selling your goods and services — it’s about providing something of value to potential customers. Owning a website is absolutely necessary if you want to compete in today’s growing market.
Still wondering why your business needs a website? The following are reasons why your small business should have a website:
1. A website will save you money
Compared with the cost of traditional means of advertising, such as newspapers ads, radio commercials, promotional materials and even networking events, when you consider the potential market you can reach with a website, it is a very cost-effective way to promote your business long term.
Your website can save you money on printing marketing materials. Everything you would print can now be put up on your website. You can provide all of your customers with information about your product at all times without spending a lot of time on the phone, emailing or messaging. If you build a large subscriber list, you can save money on flyers, brochures, and offers.
2. Your business is never closed
Having a website means you are accessible to your customers 24/7. Even when your store or office is closed, your customers will be able to go online, browse your merchandise, and find out more about your services.
When your customers are able to view your store at any time no matter where they are, they are more likely to buy from you. This leads to increased sales, which will help grow your business.
3. You can target a bigger market
The world’s population currently stands at around 7.6 B, 3.9 billion of these individuals use the internet. Owning a website puts you in front of a wider market. You will be in front of potential clients that weren’t in touch with your brand before. No matter if you sell products or services.
If you decide to have an eCommerce store, this means you can sell right on the spot and the store is up at any time.
When you don’t have a website, you rely solely on word of mouth to build your business. This can be a problem because you will only be able to grow little by little. Having a website will allow you to be able to reach a larger audience. You will be able to showcase your work and let your customers know what makes your business unique and why they should buy from you.
4. You can do business globally
Your website means your business can now offer products and services globally. In today’s world, there are no limits. You can reach markets and clients that you wouldn’t imagine before. This is the reason you and your company needs a website. It is your ticket to a whole new level.
The sky is the limit if you put the right strategies behind your website.
5. Your clients expect you to be online
Clients do expect businesses to have a website. 80% of participants in the age of 18–54 say, that they are more likely to contact a business is the business has a website. You could be missing a chunk of clients that are looking for your product or services and they can’t find you online.
6. A website builds your business credibility and legitimacy
Your business can gain instant credibility because you are providing your clients with extra information available on your site.
Your website will show your clients that you mean real business. If you don’t have one, your potential clients could think you don’t follow technological progress. No matter how small your business is, a website will make it, and you, look more professional. When a potential customer is able to go to your website any time and learn more about your business, it inspires trust, which gives you more credibility as a business owner.
7. You can improve customer support
You can improve how you help your clients. You can have online chat, so clients that are on your website can talk to you immediately.
This can also help answer questions from potential clients and can save you time and money. Have an FAQ page on your website. You know your industry better than anyone, it’s best to answer frequently asked questions your customers want to be answered.
A website is an effective way of letting your customers know about new products, promotions, and any other new services you offer without inconvenience to you. When your customers feel informed, they are more likely to buy from you, which is exactly what you want.
8. Compete with the good guys
All big companies and big-name brands have websites. As a small business, if you don’t have one, you are putting yourself further behind. If you want to compete with big businesses in an ever-growing and competitive consumer market, a website will help you even the playing field.
With a well-designed website that has the right strategy behind it, you can and will mix with the big guys. Your website can answer questions that big names companies’ website doesn’t because they have become too big to realize that.
9. A website is a tool that sells your products and services
A website can act as a catalog or a brochure for your services and products. If something changes, like prices or packages for your services, you can just change it.
A website is a billboard, you can instantly put your business in front of millions of potential clients. Your website should be ever evolving and be flexible for changes in the market.
10. Your potential clients are online
We currently have over 3.9 billion people online. People are online, and that doesn’t mean that only the younger generation is using the internet. Almost 3/4 of the Earth’s population has access to the internet.
It doesn’t matter if your business is big or you run a small family business. You should be online, presenting yourself as one of the providers of products or services.
In today’s market, the most successful businesses have an online presence. There are close to 4 billion people who use the internet. If you don’t have a website, you may not be getting all the attention your business deserves. There are so many things a website can do for you.
Want to build a website for your business? You can start by visiting our website.
