Reliable products and outstanding customer service used to be all you needed to be a successful business owner. Today, however, we live in an unprecedented time of entrepreneurship. Business owners’ have more competition than ever.
While the spirit of capitalism is alive and well in the business world, the way we do business is constantly evolving. Operating a small business website may not have been necessary 10 or 20 years ago, but an online presence is essential for building a successful company.
But why do you need a website? Is it really worth investing the time and money?
The answer is – absolutely. Keep reading for the top reasons every small business needs a professionally designed website.
Consumers Rely on Online Searches
Any educated business owner knows the importance of keeping up with consumer trends. The habits of your customers and clients should dictate the way you do business. One of the most significant examples of this is product research.
Did you know that nearly 87 percent of consumers search for products online? People want to know what they’re investing their time and trust in. They want to make sure your products or services are worth the investment.
Building a website full of relevant content and SEO encryption will help local people in your community find your business through organic product/service searches. We recommend consulting with web design services for small businesses to learn how to maximize your SEO efficacy.
Websites Boost Credibility
Additionally, you need a website for your company to demonstrate your credibility in your industry. Consumers need to see that you know your stuff. While a website alone won’t accomplish this, incorporating a blog on your site will present you as an authority in your field.
Moreover, you can use your website to showcase how you’ve helped previous clients and customers by posting their reviews and testimonials. Future customers will use their experiences to validate their decision to use your products or services.
Depending on your type of business, you may also improve your credibility by posting before and after pictures of your services. These are especially effective for companies specializing in construction, home improvement, health and fitness, cosmetics, etc.
Websites Can Be a One-Stop-Shop
To be taken seriously, your small business website needs to be a one-stop-shop for consumers. They should be able to use your website to find information about the industry through your blog, shop for products and services through your digital store, and ask questions through your customer service or contact page.
You can score extra points by enabling a live chat feature where consumers can ask questions and get an immediate response. You can monitor this feature yourself, assign it to staff members, or use AI chatbots to answer anticipated and basic questions.
All of Your Competitors are Doing It
If for no other reason, you need a website because all of your competitors have one. If someone is searching for a solution to their problems online, why would they seek another source if your competitor’s website has everything they need? How would they even know you exist if you don’t have a website?
The answer to both questions is the same – they wouldn’t. Consumers want their experience to be as fast and uncomplicated as possible.
That’s why you need to make your website user-friendly, intuitive, and as mentioned above, a one-stop-shop. By neglecting your website, you’re basically handing customers over to your competitors.
Websites Provide a Final Destination for Other Marketing Platforms
Another important reason why you need a small business website is that it gives you a destination to direct online traffic. As an entrepreneur in the modern age, some of your most valuable assets are your social media profiles. However, they are nearly useless if they don’t direct traffic back to your website.
While you can sell things directly through social media, a website provides a more encompassing platform for your digital store of products or services.
Additionally, take advantage of other forms of digital marketing to lead people back to your website. For example, use pay per click advertising, landing page marketing, and influencer marketing as a means to get more people to your product pages, contact page, or specific content on your site.
Website Analytics Can Provide Valuable Insight
Perhaps one of the best features of owning and operating a professional website is the analytic tools it provides to help you streamline your efforts. Website analytics will give you valuable information about how users are interacting with your site.
For example, you can see how many visitors you’re getting each day, week, and month and where they’re going on your site. Analytics also tells you how much time users are spending on each page. This can be useful to determine what people like and don’t like about your website and content.
From here, you can start designing articles, social media posts, and other ads that will be optimized for drawing in bigger crowds and keeping them engaged.
A Website Makes Your Life Easier
You need a website because it will make your life easier. By automating most of the sales process, you don’t have to handle (or pay others to handle) every single step of a sales conversion. Additionally, you can give consumers 24/7 access to your business by providing an online platform.
When people have a question about your products or services, they can find it on your website on a “Frequently Asked Questions” page, through articles, or by using your chatbot.
Websites Can Be Optimized for Mobile Devices
Smartphones have changed the way we conduct our day to day lives, and 81 percent of Americans have one. Any time we have a question, desire, or issue, we use these devices to find the answer. For example, if we’re craving sushi, we hop on our smartphones to find the best sushi restaurants in town, order what we want, and orchestrate the delivery of the meal to our location.
As a business owner, you need a website optimized for mobile devices. This will make it easier for consumers to use your site, order your products, or enlist your services.
Do You Need a Website?
The internet, digital marketing, and social media will continue to dictate the way we do business for the unforeseeable future. You need a website to keep up with consumer trends and make an impact in your industry and we can help.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how they can be applied to your company. We offer website design, SEO, social media marketing, and content marketing services.
And if you want more information, tips, or advice, be sure to check out some of our other articles before you go.
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