Why your Business Needs a Website and How it is Beneficial.

If you're a small business owner still thinking about investing in building a modern website, think about this for a few minutes. A website not only helps small businesses promote and sell their products and services, but it also allows them to distinguish themselves from their competitors, especially for customers who rely heavily on the internet to learn everything about a company. This makes a website one of the most important business assets for sharing information, building credibility and standing out in crowded marketplaces. Here are a few ways why it is beneficial. 

Helps You Find Customers 

Today, customers are constantly searching on computers, tablets and smart phones. A website enables them to find your company and learn about your business and what it offers at anytime and anyplace. 

Builds Credibility

You can build a brand presence for your business on social media, but you're restricted by the platform in terms of design, process and technology. A website can help small businesses increase flexibility, control, branding and credibility. Eighty-four percent of U.S. consumers believe a business with a website is more credible than one that only has a social media page. To be credible and attract new customers, a website can make a difference. 

Gain More Customers

Ongoing business success oftentimes rests on your company’s ability to bring in new clients. Reaching thousands of people using only traditional marketing methods like direct mail or print advertising can be very expensive and unreliable. Getting online enables you to reach more people locally or outside of your region while paying less for the exposure and you can even measure the specific results. In fact, 77 percent of U.S. small businesses said a website is a great way to find new customers.

And it’s not just about gaining new customers; you can use a website to better serve existing customers too. The ability to update business information 24/7 on the Internet improves customer communication while freeing up time to focus on other business priorities. And with a branded email, you can begin email marketing, driving traffic back to your on- and offline sites and boosting customer loyalty with your brand.

Grow Your Business

Many small businesses aim to expand in the market and reach out to new customers. While face-to-face interactions can be important and business often comes from word-of-mouth, a website gives you a chance to “pass your card out” to thousands online. With an e-commerce store, you can sell items online and ship the product to customers almost anywhere in the world. You might discover that customers in a neighboring city or state are interested in your services, leading to a larger service area, and maybe even an expansion to regional offices. In fact, 81 percent of U.S. small businesses say that a website has helped to grow their business. With a website, you can reach a greater number of potential customers and opportunities.

Gain A Competitive Advantage

Ninety-three percent of U.S. consumers use the Internet for research before making a purchase. Consumers want to be informed about their purchasing decisions what they buy and from whom they buy. Without a website, you risk losing customers to businesses already taking advantage of the online marketplace. If you are in direct competition with another business that has a website, your competitor has a clear advantage especially if they are effectively marketing their website. A website can help level the playing field.

Eighty-four percent of U.S. small businesses said their website is important or critical to their business. More than half of U.S.-based small businesses don’t have a website, so there is no time like the present to establish your business website and get ahead of the competition.

If you think about it, not having a business website raises questions in the eyes of consumers. Does your business not care enough to build one? Or are you so cash-strapped that you cannot even afford a website? All the things you don’t want people thinking about your business.

It is worth mentioning again that with all the countless choices they have nowadays, your average customer is extremely impatient. Simply put, you are losing a huge chunk of revenue to your competitors if you don’t have a decent digital presence.

Moreover, e-commerce spending is increasing each year. In the U.S alone, consumers spent $453.46 billion on the web for retail purchases in 2017, a 16.0% increase compared with $390.99 billion in 2016. In 2018, retail e-commerce sales including digital services amounted to nearly $526 billion and are projected to grow to $893.4 billion in 2022.

These are just a few ways in which companies can use a online presence. Without a strong online presence, it’s impossible to survive in today’s market.

We think we’re the experts for you! Hiring an agency may seem like a big commitment – that’s why we strive to earn your business each month. Drop us a line when you’re ready to get started.

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