Almost half of all small business owners say they don't have a website. And only about one-third of entrepreneurs are using their websites to communicate with customers.
Many small business owners still believe that word-of-mouth is the best way to attract new customers. Others are afraid of the cost and technological savvy that is required to create a website.
Yet in today's world, entrepreneurs are losing thousands of dollars in revenue because they do not have a strong online presence. What is the importance of having a website? Let's take a look.
When you create a website, you are showing the world that you are investing time and money in a story and brand you believe in. If you don't have a website, customers will visit the sites of your competitors who do. Having your own site means that your business will be much more likely to come up in a basic web search.
Creating a website used to require the assistance of a web developer. These professionals would design your site for around $5,000 to $10,000.
Now, you can purchase a domain name from a variety of web host agents. You can also get help with SEO for less than a few hundred dollars.
Many platforms enable you to create a beautiful, customized website within minutes. And you will only need basic technical knowledge to launch them.
The cost of advertising is high. Commercials on TV or radio, or ads in magazines, will run you a great deal of money. The base of potential customers you are reaching through these mediums is becoming increasingly limited.
Brochures and signs can be effective, but they also cost money to create. They will also become outdated as soon as they are distributed.
By contrast, the money you spend on putting up a website provides customers with instant access to your most up-to-date information. And the upkeep costs are lower than they are in a traditional, ongoing market. It is also much easier and quicker to make updates online than to reprint other materials.
While social media provides a great outlet for free promotion, you don't actually own what you post. You cannot control what happens to it. In theory, it could be erased at any moment, although this is unlikely to happen.
When you start a website, your content belongs to you. If you decide to, you could take it all to a different web-host if you are displeased.
A website is a great way to build a loyal following of supporters and advocates. These folks can share your information, cheer you on, and help you to reach your goals.
You can reach your customers at any time of day online. If your business is closed, customers can still purchase products or request services. They can sign up for appointments, take an online course, or request additional information.
Customers from all around the world can be reached through a website. Without one, you limit your services to those who are in close proximity to your location. And a customer in a different time zone can send you inquiries or purchase requests while you are sleeping.
It is also possible to provide extra services to your customers on your website. You can give them lots of information about your products, as well as tips on how to use them, through blogs and articles.
A website can allow you to share your information across social media. You can ask happy customers to recommend your services. Potential customers can be linked directly back to your informative site.
You can have your location added to business listings or "Best Of" lists. You can also share articles of interest to readers from different backgrounds that will lead them back to your website and the services you provide.
When you advertise in print or on the radio, you are limited to the amount of content you can fit onto a page or into a sound bite.
Online, however, you can showcase your skills through a portfolio, photo gallery, video, or testimonies about your work. You will be able to provide an interactive experience that highlights the best of your services and abilities. And, unlike social media sharing, you will be able to control the size and quality of your images.
Many small business owners choose to include a blog on their website. Podcasts, webinars, and online classes will establish you as an expert in your field, as well as bring you more business. You can also share items like e-books, graphics, and videos, with no extra distribution required.
A website will allow you to control the information that folks see first when they look up your name online. The more extensive your website is, the better the impression you will make.
You can think of your website as a virtual CV or resume. Folks can view samples of your work, a short biography, and a list of places where you have been featured. They can see the reviews and testimonials that you are most proud of.
The importance of having a website goes far beyond advertising. It will enable you to build your brand, story, and products in a unique way that will help you to reach more customers than you ever thought possible.
