The common question on every small business owner’s mind, “Do I need a website for my small business?”. The answer is always, YES! Unless of course, you are okay with your business dying a slow and miserable death.
Alright, that may have been a little too harsh; but in all seriousness, it is 2018 and we live in a tech driven society. Grandma’s watching Michael Jackson moonwalk in Hi-Def on her smartphone, while our pets are busy planning an uprising in the other room.
All jokes aside. Having a business website is not only about selling your products or services. Business websites provide value to your potential customers and give your business authority, in its industry and local market.
Here at Poser Designs, we are committed to helping small businesses succeed. So, in today’s article we are going to discuss the top 5 reasons why your small business needs a website.
Ready to kick start your project and get a website for your small business, you can contact us here.
The Top 5 Reasons Why Your Small Business Needs a Website
- YOUR WEBSITE IS YOUR NUMBER ONE MARKETING TOOL
We live in a digital age, where individuals are spending upwards of five hours per day with digital media, making it the perfect marketing outlet. Every day, billions of people are scouring the internet looking for local information. They are using their smartphones and tablets, like we once used the phone book and newspaper to search for local events, recreational activities, and places to eat and shop. Your customers quite literally expect you to be online and have a website. Businesses without websites loose authority and are often viewed as less professional. It won’t be too much longer before not having a website, means your business does not exist.
- THE COMPETITION HAS A WEBSITE
Your potential customers are online, and you can bet your bottom dollar that someone in your local area is searching for a product or service, that you offer, right this minute. If your business is not online, you aren’t even in the running and your competitor is getting their business.
- PROVIDE BASIC INFORMATION
When people visit your website, they are searching for the answers to three basic questions: who, what, and how. They want to know who you are, what your business sells or what services you provide, and how they can contact you. Your website is essentially, a virtual business card or brochure that answers common questions your potential customers have.
- 24/7 UP TIME WITH UNIVERSAL REACH
Unlike a brick and mortar store front, your website runs 24/7 answering questions, generating leads, and producing sales. In addition, to being able to sell products and promote your brand and services to potential customers around the clock, a website has zero geographical restrictions. Running an online store could mean a huge increase in sales and revenue, if you factor in selling 24/7 and to customers all over the world. You can even pair your website with other online marketing tools such as email and inbound marketing campaigns, to reach new potential customers and generate repeat business.
- SOCIAL MEDIA ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH
Many businesses rely too heavily on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to generate business. However, this is a big mistake. Organic reach is becoming harder to obtain on social media and paid advertising is getting more expensive, making it even more difficult than ever to connect with users. The social media game is changing, earlier this year Facebook shared that their algorithm updates had resulted in users spending less time, by roughly 50 million hours per day, on their platform.
That’s not to say social media is dead. Rather the opposite, it is a great tool when utilized as a part of an overall inbound marketing campaign, to drive customers to your website, or when used to connect with users on a more personal level. However, it should not be utilized as your business’s primary source for online marketing.
Your Small Business Does Need a Website
The key take away for today, is small business owners do need a website. Even if you are not an e-commerce, or online store, you still need a website. Your business website gives you credibility and provides customers with value they expect.
Don’t believe me? Try me. Pay attention to the number of times, in a week or even a day, that you search for a product or service on your smartphone or tablet. Which businesses did you dismiss and why? Perhaps you didn’t opt to use those businesses because:
- They didn’t have a website, or it was unprofessional looking
- Their website was difficult to use
- You couldn’t find the answers you were looking for
Do not let your business get left behind. Invest in your business website, it is your number one marketing asset and your customers are searching for you right now.
Need Help Getting a Website for Your Small Business?
Here at Poser Designs we develop websites for small businesses and are committed to your online success. Your business website is an investment into the future of your business and we will be there every step of the way to ensure you get a beautiful functional website, that generates real results.
