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Including crowdfunding projects to pet hamster fan pages, you can have a website today for pretty much anything. But for some reason, even though websites have been around for over 25 years, most small businesses have been reluctant to get online!
Thankfully, there is a steady increase in the number of small businesses with qualified websites, from a relative handful ten years ago to about two-thirds today (the figures differ depending on the country and survey you are looking at). Yet this also leaves behind the times thousands of companies. What’s that holdup?
Most business owners state in surveys that they don’t have the expertise, resources, or money to build a business website. But a surprising number claim they don’t need a website for their company, either because it isn’t necessary or because they use social media instead.
When making a purchase decision, 81 percent of people are investigating a product or service on the Internet. That’s 25.92 million online business searchers. Yet, as their #1 reason for not having a website, 46 percent of business owners listed “Business currently doesn’t need one.” We’re not numbers, but we can see a noticeable difference here.
That’s why this article will look at some specific reasons why your small business should have a website of its own. If you’re still a small business owner, read on!
Why do you have a website? Our main reasons are:
A professional website meets the needs of the customer
Your customers now expect more than ever to be able to find online information about your company. When making a purchase decision, 81 percent of people are investigating a product or service online. You have no chance to capture a slice of this market if you don’t have a website. Even if you’re not, your website may be available 24/7/365. During and after office hours, a website serves as the “always-on” company advocate.
Websites allow you to convert more of your current sources, as most people are still doing their own work and piling you against your rivals.
If you don’t have a website, you’re sending a message that your company is stuck in the Dark Ages, or you’re not interested in finding new customers— and neither of these are messages you’re likely to want to submit.
They don’t need much information about you or a complex, multi-page encyclopedia. Typically only a few simple pages are more than adequate, as long as it has necessary information that is tailored to their needs and is easy to find. Most importantly, it should be reliable and up-to-date, because out – of-date information is one of the top pet peeves for people when it comes to using local business websites.
Does my business need a website if I’m on social media?
Most business owners feel that it is necessary to have a social media profile of their company. You may already have a Facebook page and some pretty good social media ratings (or at least nobody called you “the worst restaurant ever”). That is awesome.
But this approach has some issues. First, you will always rely on the platform you choose for social media. Algorithms change, rules change, and what works one day may not work a couple of weeks from now (as many Facebook-based businesses have learned recently). It belongs to you if you have a website, so you control the content and the text. Part of the reason you started your own company is, so you don’t have to follow the rules of other people — so why would you just do what you’re told by a social media platform?
Trends are also evolving. If your customers are today on Facebook, they may be on Snapchat or a new platform that none of us heard of tomorrow. Your website serves as an anchor as people switch from one resource to the next. Whatever platform customers prefer, they can always find your website in the same place, at everyone’s fingertips.
Add instant credibility to your business simply by having a website.
The user of the 21st century is a sceptic; in fact, 56 percent of people said that without a website they would not trust a company. It improves your reputation as a legitimate business immediately by having an excellent website.
First impressions count, and websites provide you with a well-designed introduction to your business to make a very strong impression.
A website will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and put your business better. To stand out in a crowd, a website can be your number one weapon.
You can control information and branding
User reviews and comments are fantastic, but are you not supposed to have the final say about what data is revealed to the public about your company? Creating a website for your company immediately provides an official web presence, so you don’t have to rely on others to talk for you. And with your own logo, colours, and fonts, you can make it look exactly the way you want.
Having a website will end up saving you time
It takes time to connect to potential customers whether you are exchanging messages, making calls, or sending out proposals. Through providing answers to common customer questions and inquiries, the website can save you the time. What does that mean to you? You will spend your time doing more precious things.
A website is more affordable than traditional advertising
In order to get their name out there, most small businesses rely on Yellow Page ads and listings. No one will order them to delete their pages, but is the best use of funds purchasing an ad in the ever-shrinking and ever-expensive directory? Every year, the price of the website reduces and has a wider reach.
A website is easier to keep up to date
You might have some bad memories from the past if you tried a web site years ago. A developer probably had to design it for weeks or months, and then you couldn’t make any changes on your own. Simple things could take forever, such as changing store hours, because your data was outdated. Or change colours or upload pictures? Good luck!
It couldn’t be any different today. All you need to do with Jimdo is to log in to your website and click on the section you want to change. You can edit text, add pictures, or alter parts of your project. It’s so easy to upgrade; you can even do it through our iOS and Android apps from your mobile.
Having a website will attract new customers to your business and make you more money.
Not only can all of these users see your website, but through it, they can also communicate with you. Using email, contact channels, guest books, and chat apps, you can speak to consumers from across the world, get input on your new products and services, or even ship thousands of miles away from your orders. And people from all over the world can come to your website using search engines or Google Maps.
Position yourself and stay in control of your brand.
A website serves as a messaging platform and forms your business ‘ online image in a way that your social media channels can not offer.
The platform allows you to position yourself in the market in order to achieve the exact consumer category you are looking for.
Most business owners, often unknowingly and/or negatively, have been checked online. How are you affected by this? 79% Trust the people who read online reviews. Through sharing your own positive testimonials, you combat this negativity.
Conclusion: a website is required for every company
So again, while we think not everyone wants a website, we’ve shown you why every business needs a website. There is a very low and inexpensive entry barrier, and there is a huge opportunity to help your business grow.
If you’re going to do one thing today to make your company more efficient, it’s going to make it your top priority to get a website.
Being a better business is easy. Get a website right now.