Why Every Business Needs A Website
It’s almost impossible to think of a world without the internet. Websites have become an essential tool in today’s society and every business should have a website to stay competitive. The internet is also the new Yellow Pages and a place to find a business, service or product. Websites are the backbone of your digital marketing efforts, and they provide you with an opportunity for client retention that is unmatched in other channels. According to Statistics, there were 4.66 billion people online in in January 2021. That is 59% of the entire global population! A strong online presence with a website will give every business shot at success!
While some business owners think it is difficult to set up a site online or give the excuse that the cost of creating and managing a website is high, they need to realize that the benefits of a website far outweigh the costs and risks. In this blog, we shall find out the key reasons and factors why every business needs a website! Ready? Let’s dig in!
- It Boosts the Credibility of Your Business.
A business website is the first impression that potential clients get about the business. It also shows the products and services and the expertise and credibility they have in this field. The site’s design, information, and content all contribute to a visitor’s perception of the company and their opinion about its credibility.
A website essentially gives a stamp of credibility, improving the chances that prospective customers will “buy into” what you offer and trust your brand.
- It Creates Brand Awareness and Promotes Brand Recognition.
A website is a tool that can help you get your name known in the marketplace. Before the digital era, creating brand awareness was a huge hassle because businesses depended on traditional modes of advertisement such as flyers, hanging posters, radio, TV and buying classifieds. Technology has brought the rise of many digital platforms for businesses to showcase their products and services to potential customers. Creating a website and promoting it on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Twitter will give a business an undue advantage over a competitor that does not have a website. Your business will have more visibility with a website.
- It Helps Your Business to Generate More Leads.
A website will assist you to easily connect and interact with the biggest customer base. If people can see what you offer through your website, they may get interested in giving your products and services a try. These prospective clients can quickly use the contact information listed on the website (by email or telephone) to request or ask any questions about your products and services. These prospects can be requested to leave their contact information and become leads who can be converted to clients. It is important to note that websites give 24/7 access to customers around the globe to your product or service, once it’s designed and uploaded it’s available for everyone to access.
- You Can Use Your Website to Keep Your Customers Informed.
Keeping your customers up to date on your activities becomes an easy task when you have a website. A website is a great platform to share all types of news with your customers and prospects. For example, you can use your website to inform your customers that you have opened a new branch and its location then invite them to visit it for new promotions or events. In addition, a website is a great platform to inform your customers that you are launching a new product or service and the date it will be available. You can also use your website to inform your customers of the improvements and upgrades that you have made to your products.
- A Website Provides Social Proof!
Customers’ purchasing decisions are sometimes dictated by what previous customers think and say about your business. A website will give you the chance to showcase previously satisfied customers’ comments and videos. These reviews and testimonials are essential tools that your business can use strategically. If potential customers see the positive reviews and high recommendations that existing customers have to say about your products and services, they will be more inclined to buy your products.
- A Website Will Help You to Influence Your Brand Perception and Boost Your Image.
With a website, you can influence the perception that people have of your business. For example, a realtor serving high-end luxury sales of homes can use the website to showcase the types of luxury properties they offer. The branding of the website can also communicate the standards and luxury elements of services provides. Your website’s branding will therefor help you attract the right customer and expand your business.
- A Website Helps Your Business to Be Available 24/7
A website will make your business always be accessible to your customers. It will not matter whether the physical operating hours of your business have lapsed or not because the content of your website is always available, every day of the week. However, addressing the questions or concerns of your customers at all times of the day will help you to avoid missing out on potential sales.
To ensure that potential customers are served whenever they get online, you should incorporate an Artificial Intelligence-powered chatbot. The chatbot can be programmed to answer the most commonly asked questions about your products and services. Some chatbots can also be programmed to take people through a sale and even collect client information for further customer service assistance. It is important to have a chatbot on your website as it can be the difference between a new sale or a lost sale.
- A Website Is a More Cost-Effective Way of Reaching a Bigger Audience.
With more and more people browsing the internet on their smartphones, tablets, computers, laptops, etc., it’s becoming increasingly difficult to reach anyone in any other way than through a website. Websites are cost-effective because they don’t require printing or mailing costs which can be very expensive for small businesses who are just starting. A website is also easier to share with others via social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., so your message will reach a much broader audience at no extra cost.
- A Website Can Give You a Competitive Edge
When you see that your biggest competitors have great websites, you also have to create one. Analyze the market you operate in. Establish how your competition websites look, then opt to create a better website that will outdo theirs! Create a website that has faster load times, a better design, and better Search Engine Optimization. It is also imperative that you accompany your website with a great content marketing strategy to help drive traffic to your page and lead customers to make a purchase.
- A Website Will Help You to Analyze the Behavior of Your Customers.
You can leverage Google Analytics or other tools to study your customers’ purchasing trends. This will help you establish what areas of your website most of your customers spend more time on. Through such essential information, you will know the best content to post in these sections. Through the analytics you conduct on your website, you can also establish which social media platforms bring you the most traffic. If you identify Facebook as the social media platform with the biggest chunk of your customer base, you will direct more marketing efforts on Facebook.
- A Website Will Save You a Lot of Time.
Most people are unaware that websites may help them save a lot of time in the short and long term. When you use your website to share all the nitty-gritty regarding your products and services, customers are armed with all the essential information that they need to purchase. You can use explainer videos or pictures to explain more about your services and how to use your products. This information will save you time to answer easy questions because they are well explained. The time saved can be directed to acquiring more leads through activities like creating marketing emails, organizing marketing and networking events, creating and distributing marketing collateral. The ability to do this with a website is a great advantage to share all the necessary information about your products online that can be used to make a buying decision.
Final Thoughts
Many business owners underestimate the power that comes with creating a website for their businesses. A website in today’s climate is a must for all businesses. The benefits far outweigh the ‘costs’ because you will boost your brand’s visibility, get more leads, more sales, a bigger customer base, and soaring credibility!
