1. Having a good website builds trust & credibility
The fact is many people use the internet prior to making a purchase, having a good website aids their decision making process, when researching what suits them best. If your business and its products/services are not showing online or are represented poorly online, then many customer will usually go to one of your competitors who has a good online presence. A quality and professionally designed website will add credibility to your business. A poorly designed website can have the opposite effect.
Build your credibility online by letting visitors know what you have done and clients you work with, for example, if you have won any awards or are a member of any industry organisation, etc then you can mention this on your website.
2. Reach a wider audience & provide information anytime
With a website you have a global reach, 24 hours a day, everyday of the year. Visitors are not restricted to only being able to contact you via your specific daily opening hours. If you are closed at weekends or on public holidays, then people can still find out about you. Potential customers can always access your information anytime and you can always refer potential customers to your website to get the information they are looking for.
Depending on the nature of your business you can potentially sell you products/services to millions of people, not just customers in your local area. Not only can you reach customers from all over the world, but you can also access even more people from your local area more effectivley too.
3. Your competitors probably already have their own websites
This means when people are looking for your product/service, they are likely to see your competitors website as well as yours. If you do not have a good website you’re missing out on potential customers! Online visitors are going to compare many aspects of your business with your competitors before making their decision, having a well designed and functional website will generally lead to more leads/sales.
4. Websites are a cost effective, relatively inexpensive and almost risk free investment
When people first began to adopt the internet these benefits would have been very costly and out of reach of the average small business owner. However, while every other advertising medium has increased in price over the past decade, website development and hosting has decreased significantly. There is virtually no risk involved, there is always a 99.9% chance that you get a return on the investment of having the site built.
Compared to traditional advertising methods used to market your business, such as yellow pages ads, newspaper ads, radio ads, direct mail, etc, setting up a website is relatively cheap. You can get a website set up quickly and easily for a minimum of $500, to cover the cost of the domain name, hosting, design and build.
A website is easier, cheaper and quicker to update than print material. Its’ capacities are almost limitless which allow you to provide users with more comprehensive information. This will save you money on printing and distribution costs as well.
5. Websites can expand on the benefits of other marketing
For each type of “traditional” marketing you already use, you can expand the benefits and how much information you can provide by simply adding your website address to the ad, flyer, listing, etc. So rather than seeing the ad and then forgetting about it, customers can instead follow up with a visit to your website and immediately access much more detailed information, communicate with you, or learn more about your business.
6. Your website you can educate your consumers
Providing visitors with detailed information about your products/services helps them know exactly how you will be able to meet their needs. Consumers today use the web to research before making purchases. They look for price comparisons, product options, quality differences, and any number of other criteria depending on the problem they are trying to solve. A feature-rich, custom website not only showcases your unique products and services, it also demonstrates pride in your business and illustrates to customers why your business is the right choice for them.
7. Open dialog with your visitors and generate valuable leads
Your website provides a way to communicate with you anytime, you can gather information about your customers and potential customers by using forms and surveys on your website. Rather than going out and getting new leads, let them come to you and follow up with the information the consumer is after. Your website is a great tool for prospecting targeted customers looking to use your products and services.
8. Great recruiting tool
Whether you are looking for new talent or posting job opportunities with your company, your website is a great recruiting tool for building your business. Not only is there no cost in advertising you open positions on your own website most people that see your listing on traditional job advertisements will visit your site. Potential employees should be able to find answers to some questions they may have about your business before they start.
9. Protect your brand
Not only will having a business website help generate more inquiries for you, it will also help secure you brand online. If you don’t have a website for your business online, then there is always the danger that “cybersquatters” will register your business name online. Even worse, anybody with an axe to grind, or an unscrupulous competitor might set up a website to damage your business reputation. Ensuring you have an online presence will help protect your brand.
10. Your website promotes your ‘Bricks n Mortar’ presence
Even if you don’t actually sell anything online via your website, the fact is having a website will give people reassurance when they are considering your product/service. For example, if your business focuses on your local area only e.g. a Sydney wedding photographer, then many people in that area will search online for wedding photographers in the Sydney area, to find out what is available. Far more people are searching online, than there are people looking through the Yellow Pages, as search engines have become much better at filtering results and getting you to what you are after much quicker.
Once they find your product/service online, they will be able to make a phone call or come and visit you (if your address is listed on your contact details). Without a website you would not be found and would lose business to your competitors, who are promoting themselves online.
What to do if you need some help?
Feel free to contact me if you have any SEO, WordPress or website questions using the form below and I will endeavour to get back to you ASAP.