‘Do I need a website?’ is a question many people will ask when going into business. And the answer is a resounding yes. While there may be some types of business that can survive without one, there is no good reason to not have a website in this day and age, and in this article I will give you seven reasons why.
1. Gain a strong online presence
Your website is the foundation of your online presence, enabling people all over the country, or even the world, to find out about your products or services. Having your own website will allow you to extend your reach globally if you are willing to invest time and/or money into optimising it.
2. Increase credibility and trust
One obvious answer to the question ‘Do I need a website?’ is yes, if you want to garner trust and credibility from potential customers. People research businesses online before they decide where to purchase a product or service. Your website can act as an instant showcase of your brand’s identity and values, and with the right copy and images, it will convey a professional and trustworthy image. It’s also the perfect place to display testimonials from happy customers, and there is no more effective way to prove how good you are than the verified testimony of those who have used your services.
3. Effective marketing and lead generation
Of course, it’s not enough to simply have a website. You also have to leverage digital marketing strategies like SEO, social media and pay-per-click (PPC) to get the most out of it.
The way to think of your website is as the beating heart of your company’s marketing strategy. Optimise it effectively and it will attract wallet-out visitors daily, and if your social media and/or PPC campaigns have been implemented well, they will convert to customers right away, or you can at least remarket to them by encouraging them to subscribe to your mailing list or follow you on Facebook, Twitter, etc.
4. 24/7 accessibility and convenience
A website can provide round-the-clock accessibility to your business. Even when you have stopped working for the day, customers can still visit your site, learn about your services, purchase your products, and even interact with the site remotely via automated live chat if you’ve installed it! Your business can effectively operate 24/7 even when you’re asleep or on holiday!
5. Targeted marketing and sales funnels
A well-designed website will let you target specific customer types based on demographics. And with the right marketing funnels in place, you can attract, engage and convert visitors into customers. Best of all, you can retain these customers by marketing to them post-sale, too, in the form of emails, blog posts, special offers, competitions – you name it!
6. Showcasing products and services
Consumers rely on the internet to research products and services before making purchasing decisions. Your website is an opportunity to showcase your offerings. With high-quality images, punchy copywriting and customer reviews, you can show your products or services in the best light, influencing potential customers to choose your brand over competitors.
7. It doesn’t have to be expensive
I’ve saved the killer reason till last. The only objection that any business owner can really have to getting a website is the cost. If they think it will cost them more money that it’s worth, then that is an understandable concern. BUT the truth is it’s completely unfounded these days, because you can get a website designed by a professional for a few hundred pounds, and you could even design one yourself for free if you took the time to learn how to use WordPress, Wix, Squarespace or any other website building software.
Do I need a website? The final word…
Business owners will spend more on a laptop than the cost of a website, and yet both are integral to running a business optimally. Without a website, you are relying on word of mouth and social media. Ask yourself: is that really enough? Are you doing your business justice if you don’t invest in a site?
Hopefully by now you’ve stopped pondering the question ‘Do I need a website?’ If you are ready to make the wise investment, not just in your business but in yourself, get in touch with us today.
Nick Jones
Owner of GreatSite 4U
Nick is a web designer and owner of GreatSite 4U. He is also an award-winning author, publisher, editor, proofreader and copywriter. Passionate about helping small businesses grow online.