Websites play a crucial role in today’s business landscape. As a small business, having one to back your company is now more important than ever. The era of walking shop to shop or using a Facebook page isn’t quite cutting it anymore. To have a competitive edge, small businesses are investing in quality websites to take their company to the next level. Here are five key reasons why your business needs a website:
1. Credibility
A website provides credibility. 75% of people judge a company’s credibility based on its website. For small businesses, showing professionalism and earning customers’ trust is vital. A website represents who your company is, what it stands for, and provides additional information to your audience. No website, an unprofessional, or unsecure website can reflect poorly on your business and leave customers looking for more information.
2. Visibility
Your customers need to be able to find you. By just using a Facebook page or nothing at all, you are missing out on more customers than you realize. Making your company “googleable” plays an important role in matching your business with the desired audience. 92% of business owners believe that having a website is the most effective form of digital marketing. Appealing to digital audiences in 2023 is necessary to take your business to the next level and increase sales.
3. Control
A website to direct your customers to controls what your customers see when they look up your company. 70–80% of people research a company online before buying. When you have a business website, you get to pick what your customers see first, which pages to lead them to, and have a greater influence on how your business is perceived. Additionally, a Facebook page can be easily hacked, removed, or restricted beyond your control. Meaning where you have built your audience and credibility can disappear, unlike when you own a website and domain name.
4. Growth
A website is needed to increase your business’s potential. Without online shopping options or the ability to look up your services online, your company is limited in how much it can grow. Roughly 99% of consumers use the internet to discover and find local businesses. Increasing your digital presence is a key first step in increasing your potential customer reach and is important for keeping up with the competition.
5. Adaptability
Being accessible and inclusive to all types of customers is vital for small businesses looking to expand their customer base. 81% of consumers go online to find information and answer any questions about the product or service before making a purchase. With today’s technology, many customers look at a store online before ever stepping foot inside. The option to shop online or order ahead is popular with consumers, which makes your business more accessible to more people.
The moral of the story is that small businesses need websites too, regardless of their size. Websites help expand your professionalism, sales, audience, and much more. Take the next step and get started creating your website today.