Many businesses, especially new small businesses, operate on a tight budget. It’s easy to understand why some business owners might think a website is a luxury item they can’t afford.
Business owners might even believe a Facebook page is enough for an online presence. But the truth is the only way to start promoting a business is by building a professional website.
Your website acts as a gateway so customers can learn more about your company, as well as research product information and decide if they want to do business with you. If you’re a business owner, you need to realise that a website isn’t an expensive luxury, it’s an affordable, fundamental tool that every company needs.
Nothing is more important than the ability to be found. If you don’t have an online identity; a website, then customers can’t find you. Not showing up in the search engines or on the Internet at all, is one of the fastest ways to lose credibility as a business. It makes you and your company look outdated, out of touch and untrustworthy.
Think of your website as a 24-hour sales representative. It provides answers to frequently asked questions and can even process sales. Websites with e-commerce allows users to make direct purchases online.
Even if you are incredible at word-of-mouth marketing, you could be missing out on potential referrals. Happy customers are quick to share what they think about your business, but what about their friends who haven’t experienced your services yet? They’ll take to the Internet and search online. When they come up empty handed, you’ll have missed your chance for new customers.
It’s natural to have questions and concerns about setting up a website. Cost is a common one. Beyond an inital fee to design the site, the ongoing costs can be minimal. Considering the long-term benefits a website will provide the cost to design a good site is well worth it. Having a website establishes trust with potential customers, strengthens your brand, creates better customer relations and informs a wider group of people about your business.
Any Web presence is probably better than none. Once you have a basic website, as your business and resources grow, you can always add to it.
If you’re thinking of creating a website or revamping your company’s existing website, look at websites of competitors or companies you admire. Take the best ideas you see and get your web developer to adapt them to your business’s website. Meet with a few Web designers to discuss building or updating your website. Compare approaches, services, expertise and costs.
Talk to us today about being found on the internet. We can create a website that represents your business, so you never lose a potential customer again.