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Do I Need A Website For My Small Business? 10 Reasons Why the Answer is Yes.

By March 19, 2023April 27th, 2023Web Design
10 reasons why your small business needs a website

There has never been a more important time to build a website for your business than it is now. A small business website provides you with a wealth of benefits that increase in value over time allowing you to maximize your ROI. It’s a way to connect with consumers and promote your products and services. Not only that, but it can effectively grow your business by helping gain exposure that will reach a larger audience.

Many small business owners run on a tight budget, they focus on their product or service and don’t have the time or money to invest in a small business website. If you neglect your online presence, it can have dire consequences on your digital marketing strategy. Your competitors are taking full advantage of what technology has to offer, if you don’t act now you will be left in the digital shadow realm.

1. A website makes your business look professional

A website gives new customers the impression that you are a professional business. It shows that you take your business seriously and have made an investment in your company. Anyone can easily create a Facebook page, but having your own website shows that you are committed to your business and have taken the time and effort to create a successful online presence.

It is a perfect place to share about your business, what you stand for, and why they should choose you. It is a way for you to separate yourself from the competition and prove your value. Providing information about your team, your company culture, and your unique selling points displays a level of professionalism for your company that is not possible on any other platform.

Being professional entails more than simply knowing how to do your job; it also includes how you communicate with others. Having a professional website may help you make a good first impression, manage customer relationships, and build a positive online reputation for your company and industry.

By creating a website, you can improve your chances of success while making your business look professional and credible.

2. A website builds your business’s credibility

Having a small business website makes your company look legit, even if you’re just starting out. People are more likely to trust a business with a website than one without.

A website allows you to share your story and connect with your customers on a deeper level. You can use it to tell the world why you started your small business, what your goals are, and what you have accomplished. Customers are more likely to trust a business that has an online presence, and they’re also more likely to buy from that business. If you don’t have a website, customers might not even know you exist! In fact, 92% of consumers conduct research online before purchasing a product or service. Consumers are more likely to buy after experiencing and interacting with content on a business’s website.

There are a variety of on-page elements you can incorporate into your website that will increase your business’s trustworthiness and reputation.

Original Photography

Instead of only adding stock photos, taking original photos of your business team, office, products, or services in action can help personalize your business and make it more credible.

Before and After Photos

Showcase how your business was able to successfully help a customer or client with case studies or before and after photos that affirm the value of your products and services.

before-and-after-photo

Logos of Trusted Partnerships

If you have any trusted partnerships or affiliations, be sure to showcase those logos prominently on your website. These logos show that you’re a credible business because you’re associated with other well-known and respected businesses.

Customer Testimonials

Testimonials from happy customers can help persuade others who are interested in your product or service. Be sure to include testimonials that are specific, detailed, and from a variety of customers.

testimonials

Accurate, Up-to-Date Information

Make sure your website is always up-to-date with accurate information about your company, products, and services.

SSL Certificate

Add an extra layer of security to your website to assure that your consumers can visit and purchase from your website with confidence. Your SSL certificate will show up as a padlock in the URL bar, and it will say “Secure” next to your website’s URL. Proving that it is secure can help increase your conversion rate by up to 30%.

ssl-certificate

Informative Blog

Share your knowledge about your business by writing informative blog posts that will add credibility to your business. Offering products and services are necessary for any business. However, customers appreciate businesses that go above and beyond by providing relevant information associated with their products or services.

Social Media

Include social media links on your website to show your consumers that you are active and engaged with your community on various platforms. This will help build relationships with your customers.

Terms and Conditions

By having a terms and conditions page on your website you are providing an agreement between your business and visitors on what is expected from both parties. This can help to avoid any misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Privacy Policy

Adding a privacy policy to your website will give consumers peace of mind knowing that you are committed to protecting their personal information.

Elements on a website that violates credibility

  • Out of date information
  • Wrong information
  • Bugs and errors
  • Poor web design
  • Poor performance
  • Grammatical and spelling errors
  • No security

Keep up with your website maintenance to ensure credibility and a positive user experience for your visitors.

4. A website improves customer service and experience

With a website, customers can easily find information about your products and services, contact you, and make purchases.

We live in an era where people expect information to be found quickly and easily. If people can’t find what they are looking for, that will leave a negative lasting impression on your business, and even worse your competitor will likely capitalize on that.

Use your website to help you find new clients through google but also to stay connected with existing customers by engaging and serving their needs. Think of it as the home base and social media as your field marketing team – they go hand-in-hand.

When you have a website you can provide 24/7 availability. Customers can visit your website anytime, day or night, and get the information they need. This is especially important for many businesses that don’t have regular office hours, such as service businesses.

These tips will improve your website customer service and experience

  1. Be sure you have a contact item in your navigation or a call to action button that is easily accessible and directly sends the user to an easily fillable contact form, where users can contact your business regarding general inquiries, customer service issues, or technical difficulties.
  2. Include an About Us page that tells your story and what makes your business unique.
    about-us-page
  3. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly – over 50% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices.
  4. Post fresh, engaging content regularly to keep customers coming back for more. This could include blog posts, product updates, or even just a message from the owner.
  5. Embed Google Maps in your contact page for convenient directions.
    google-maps
  6. Use high-quality visuals – images and videos – to help tell your story.
  7. Make it easy for customers to find what they are looking for with well-organized navigation.
  8. Include a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page that can answer common customer questions.faq
  9. Make use of live chat software to provide customer service in real-time. This is especially helpful for businesses that offer products or services that are complicated or have a lot of questions associated with them.
    website-customer-service
  10. Set expectations with your visitors before they even decide to contact you. By having a clear and concise message on your website, you can avoid customers feeling frustrated when they don’t get an immediate response.
  11. Frequently analyze and measure customer service metrics to see how you can improve your online customer service. This could include page visits, conversion rates, contact form submissions, and more. This will help you identify any areas that need improvement and build content that answers customer questions.

As you can see providing online positive customer service and experience is important to building customer relationships and maintaining customer retention.

5. A website showcases your products and services

You’ve put a lot of time and effort into your products and services – now it’s time to show the world what you’ve got! A website is a perfect way to promote and showcase your business, its products, and its services.

services-portfolioYour visitors will get a glimpse of what your products and services look like before even going to your physical location. This creates yet another form of positive experience because you are taking the initiative to provide information and high-quality content of your products and services. Visitors will then already know what to expect when they decide to become involved with you. Saving them a trip to your physical location also goes a long way in today’s digital world which people appreciate. You can also provide video tours of your products, services, and physical location adding an extra layer of personal connection with your virtual visitors.

Many consumers want to gather as much information as possible before making a purchase, and a website is a perfect platform to do so.

You can provide detailed descriptions, pricing, high-quality images, FAQs, contact information, and anything else you think someone might want or need to know before making a purchase. This increases the chances that they will buy from you because they feel informed and comfortable with what they know. You can use a portfolio to feature your previous work or case studies to show potential customers how you’ve helped others.

Think of a business website as a digital brochure or portfolio that is easily accessible at anyone’s fingertips and acts as a salesman that is working for you 24/7 without constant supervision and with a fraction of the cost.

In addition to showcasing your products or services, you can also directly sell your products and services using software tools that are designed for online businesses. An e-commerce or online store that is integrated with your website allows you to provide the following:

  • Product information such as images, descriptions, and prices
  • Secure payment processing
  • Shipping and order tracking
  • Customer service and support
  • Coupons and discounts
  • Customer reviews
  • Related content associated with each product
  • Inventory management
  • Product catalogs

and much more!

Other helpful software to include on a website related to services is online booking tools and appointment calendars so that users can easily book a time that works best for them.

6. A website gives your business a competitive edge

It’s really simple: businesses that have a website over their competitors who just have a physical location or a Facebook page have a significant advantage. Google drives six times more web traffic than Facebook, Yahoo, and Bing combined. People for the most part go on Google to find solutions for their problems. If your business does not clearly show up on Google’s results page your business could be losing a majority of internet consumers. However, just because your business has a website doesn’t automatically guarantee that it’ll show up on Google’s front page. You have to fight to stay ahead of your competition using SEO tactics.

google-chart

In fact, did you know that about 28% of small businesses don’t have a website?That statistic may seem low, but multiply that by the number of small businesses out there and you’re looking at a lot of business owners missing out on potential leads. The other 71% of small businesses that do have a website are more likely to be found online and have interactions with consumers.

7. A website creates your digital legacy

Just like any other business venture, a website can be seen as an investment. It’s something you put time, money, and effort into and hope to see a return from. Unlike other businesses, however, your website will be around long after you pass away or sell your business. It becomes part of your digital legacy.

A website has lasting value with return on investment (ROI). Think about it like owning a house but this is instead a digital asset that continues to grow in value over time. Essentially the longer you wait to start your business website the less time you have to grow it online.

8. A website allows you to control your digital destiny

A website is a digital asset that provides complete control over the content, design, and functionality. Unlike a Facebook page, you are not subject to the effects of algorithm changes or other uncontrollable factors. Any necessary updates or modifications can be made within the website to see the results based on your effort.

facebook authority

9. A website is an important part of internet marketing

A website is the foundation of your digital presence. Think of the center hub of a wheel as your main website, while the spokes of the wheel are different branches of internet marketing. Every component of the wheel relies on each other to make it work and go round. You need to use internet marketing to bring traffic back to your website to grow your business.

national-digital-marketing

 

There are 8 types of internet marketing

  • Email Marketing
  • SEO
  • Pay Per Click Ads (PPC)
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Content Marketing
  • Affiliate Marketing
  • Mobile Marketing
  • Marketing Analytics

Of these 8 types, a website is needed for 5 of them. Email marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Pay Per Click, Content Marketing, and Marketing Analytics all require a website to be effective.

10. A website has various budget options

Small businesses don’t have to break the bank to have a website. Various budget options will fit any business owner’s needs. You can start with a basic website and then add on additional features as your business grows. You can also choose a monthly plan or annual plan to help you better budget for your digital expenses.

The most affordable option but most timing consuming is the do it your self (DIY) option. However, this option is best suited for those who know what they are doing in web design, web development, and internet marketing.

If you’re not a technical person or just simply don’t have the time to invest in building a website on your own, our recommendation is to hire a digital marketing expert that can help you not only build your website but will also create an internet marketing strategy that will help you grow your business online. A website is not a static asset, it needs to be maintained and updated regularly.

The key is to get started as soon as possible. The longer you wait the further your competition will stay ahead of you! If you need a website and a digital marketing agency to help you with your small business, feel free to contact us!

Conclusion

Now you know the importance of why every business needs a website. It is an essential part of a business in today’s modern age. You should create a website for your business so you can:

  • Make your business look professional
  • Give your business credibility
  • Attract customers through google
  • Improve digital customer service and experience
  • Showcase your products and services
  • Create a digital legacy
  • Control your digital destiny
  • Use various types of internet marketing to grow your business
  • Market your business within a budget

A high-quality website will help you reach new customers and grow your business. If you’re not utilizing a website for your internet marketing then you’re missing out on a lot of potential leads that have a high chance of converting.

Do these things before building a website

It can be overwhelming when starting a website for your small business. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here’s a list of things you should do before building your website:

Figure out what you want your website to achieve

This is the most important step. What do you want your website to do for your business? Do you want to increase brand awareness, drive more traffic to your website, sell products or services online, or capture leads? Once you know what to do then you can begin creating content and web designing.

Create a brand identity

Your brand identity is how your customers perceive you. It’s what makes you unique and differentiates you from your competitors. Your brand identity should be reflected in your website design, content, and overall tone. Include elements such as logos, colors, fonts, and imagery that represent your brand.

Do your research

Before you start building your website, it’s important to do your research. This includes researching your competition, understanding your target audience, and knowing what type of content will resonate with them.

Creating a website for your small business is a big decision. But if you take the time to do your research and figure out what you want your website to achieve, then you’ll be on your way to success.

Choose a domain name

Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet. It’s how people will find you online. When choosing a domain name, keep it short, easy to remember, and relevant to your business.

Decide what you want your visitors to get out of your website

What do you want your website visitors to do when they visit? Do you want them to buy products or services, sign up for your email list, download a white paper, or watch a video? Once you know what you want your visitors to do, you can start creating content and designing your website accordingly.

Plan your content

This is probably the most time-consuming task, but it’s important to have a lot of quality content on your website. Create a style guide and site map to keep you on track.

Style guide

A style guide will help keep your website looking and feeling like your brand. It will also help ensure that all of your content is consistent across all channels. This includes your website, social media profiles, email marketing, and any other marketing materials you create.

Sitemap

A sitemap is a blueprint of your website. It will help you plan out the layout of your website and determine which pages you will need. It will also help you track which pages are being visited the most and which pages need improvement.

FAQ

1. Do I need a website for my small business?

Yes, you do. A website is an essential part of any business’s marketing strategy. It allows you to connect with new and existing customers that will help grow your business.

2. What should I include on my website?

Your website should include information about your company, products or services, contact information, and a blog. You may also want to include a section about your team, case studies, or customer testimonials.

3. How much does it cost to build a website?

It depends on the design and content of your website. You can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.

4. Who can help me build my website?

There are many web design and development agencies that can help you build your website. You can also hire a freelancer or do it yourself using a content management system with a page builder.

5. How do I drive traffic to my website?

There are many ways to drive traffic to your website, including SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, and paid advertising.

6. How often should I update my website?

You should update your website as often as you can, add new products or services, or when you have new information to share with your customers. You should also update your blog regularly to keep your visitors coming back.

7. How do I know if my website is successful?

You can track the success of your website by looking at your analytics. This will show you how many people are visiting your website, where they’re coming from, and what they’re doing on your site. You can also use A/B testing to see how changes to your website impact your visitors.

8. What are some common mistakes people make when building a website?

Some common mistakes include not doing enough research, not having a clear goal for their website, not knowing their target audience, and not having enough quality content.

9. How can I improve my website?

There are many ways to improve your website, including adding new content, improving your SEO, and increasing your social media presence. You can also use A/B testing to see how changes to your website impact your visitors.

10. What are some common website design trends?

Some common website design trends include responsive design, parallax scrolling, and using large images and videos.

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