An investment is the best return. A website is one of the most valuable asset for a business.
Many small businesses, especially new small businesses, run a lean operation. They focus only on necessities and urgent matters and spend money when they need to.
If your business has gotten this far without a website, you might be wondering, do I need a website for my business? What’s the point if my business is already successful without one? Therefore some entrepreneurs might think a small business website is a luxury item they can afford to live without.
We understand the reasons why you might resist building a website for your business: “I’m not tech savvy”, “they’re too expensive”, “I don’t have the time”. But the truth is building a business website or ecommerce store is not a difficult task. You don’t need to be tech savvy. Getting a professional website for your business is easy. It doesn’t cost much money.
A great small business website is the best way to showcase your venture. Having a small business website isn’t just about selling your goods and services. It is also about providing something of value to potential customers. Further, your online store is not restricted to business hours, and it’s one of the best means of free advertising.
Still unsure if your business needs a website? Here are 5 reasons why your small business needs a website.
1. To attract new customers to your business and make you more money.
Here you can centralize all of your business information and marketing messages. It is where potential customers can go to learn about your business. And, it’s where all of your other marketing efforts should drive interested customers. Further you can improve how you help your customers. You can have an online chat, so customers that are on your website can talk to you immediately. This can also help answer questions from potential customers and can save you time and money. Not only that, you can have a FAQ page on your website.
If you sell services, website will help you organize “help requests” and keep your customer happy. Your website can have a big role in your business, as it can help you to keep providing the best for your business customers.
2. To establish your business’s credibility
Your website can be available 24/7/365 even when you’re not. A website acts as your “always-on” business advocate during and outside of office hours. Having a good website instantly boosts your credibility as a legitimate business.
First impressions count, and websites allow you to make a very strong impression with a well designed introduction for your business.
3. To Position yourself and stay in control of your brand.
A website allows you to position yourself in the market to get the exact type of customers you’re looking for. Most of the customers are using their smartphones and tablets to decide where to go and what to buy. So if you don’t have a business website, the customers will simply go elsewhere without the slightest hesitation.
Further, website can be your number one tool for standing out in a crowd and it can help to showcase your expertise and better position your business.
Many business owners review online, sometimes unknowingly and/or negatively. You can combat that negativity by posting your own positive testimonials in your website.
4. To be truly competitive.
Websites help you convert more of your existing referrals, because most people still do their own research and stack you against your competitors.
All your competitors most likely already have a website including social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, and even YouTube), and a local business listing on Google My Business.
If you think about it, not having a business website raises questions in the eyes of consumers. So with all the countless choices they have nowadays, your average customer is extremely impatient. Simply, you are losing a huge chunk of revenue to your competitors if you don’t have a decent website.
5. To collect data and feedback
Getting customer data such as email addresses for lead generation or collecting feedback for improvement can be quite difficult in an offline scenario.
But getting people to type in their email address or answer a quick survey in exchange for a free, useful resource such as an exclusive e-book, newsletter, or whitepaper is an attractive method to collect customer data.
And once you have your customer’s email address, you have unlocked another great email marketing technique. So this will help you to grow your business by sending emails.
Summary
You need a website, and it’s easier than ever to get one.
So, while we believe that not every person needs a website, according to the above facts, every small business needs a website. There’s a very small and inexpensive barrier to entry, and there is a massive opportunity to help grow your business.
If you’re going to do one thing today to help your business be more successful, it’s to make getting a website your top priority.
It will definitely help to grow your business compared to your competitors.