A Small Business Website Is Not an Option
Can you believe that 46% of small businesses in the United States still do not have a website? It’s 2016. The world revolves around the Internet. Yet, nearly half of the small businesses have yet to launch a website. Crazy, isn’t it? Entrepreneur.com posted an article quoting statistics from a report prepared by Business-to-Business research firm, Clutch. A small business website is a necessity, not an option.
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A small business website is the main hub piece of any marketing plan. A website is critical for the success of any small business. So many other elements in the realm of public relations and marketing your business rely on this hub. Please say you aren’t one of those 46% of small businesses that have yet to develop the hub of your online presence. Think about how many customers don’t even know you exist. Scary, isn’t it?
Anyone who knows me at all, has worked with me or has read our Designing Strategies e-Newsletter or Blog knows that I am pretty adamant about the need for every small business owner to have website. It is the most important part of the company’s overall marketing plan.
Not everyone, even in your local area, may be aware that your company exists. Telephone books with Yellow Page advertisements are a thing of the past. Newspapers and magazines that used to be the place for advertising are sinking fast. The world still needs to know you exist, what products you sell or what services you offer. The world now operates on technology. People now look for that perfect product or perfect company – you – on a smart-phone, tablet or laptop computer. If you’re not there how will prospects and new customers know about you?
10 Critical Reasons Every Small Business Needs a Website
1. Build credibility with your small business website
Your website shows prospects that your company is real. It allows you to present yourself as a legitimate business, ready to sell to or service customers. You can present your firm as professional by linking your business email to your site’s URL and domain name. Testimonials and reviews from satisfied customers provide credibility to the level of products and services you offer.
2. A small business website works for you 24/7/365
If you think developing a website is expensive, think about how much you would have to pay for one or more employees to do all that sales and marketing for you. The web site sounds a lot less expensive now, doesn’t it? A website will likely be one of the best investments you make in your small business.
3. A small business website reaches a larger audience than mailing print brochures
If you decide that a direct mail campaign is a good investment to market your business, think about the limitations. First you need to develop and print your mailer – or hire someone to do it. Then, you need to either organize your mailing list – or maybe buy one from someone else. Someone needs to take the time to address them, lick the stamps or run them through a postage machine. Then, there is the trip to the Post Office or mail box. You can easily share the same information (and more) on your website by creating a landing page with your ‘offer’, then promoting it online through your social media sites. Your offer will reach so many more people than just a few targeted Zip Codes in your area – at a lower cost.
4. Potential customers pre-screen themselves – are you what they need?
More and more consumers do online research before ever calling a provider for information on whatever they are looking for. They look for reviews, what products or services you have to offer, how you do business, when and where you do business. They can check any number of other things before making a decision. No more spending – or wasting – time screening callers who just aren’t going to be your customer.
5. A Small Business Website Levels the Playing Field
The gap between small businesses and the big guys can be greatly reduced. The smallest of businesses can appear much larger and more impressive with an Internet presence. If done correctly, a small business site can go a long way in converting a total stranger into a long time repeat customer.
6. Your Website Serves as an Online Brochure – only better
Remember printing those glossy four-color brochures? Not only were they quite expensive, but they generally became outdated in a short period of time. A website provides unlimited space for sharing the word about your firm. You can share extensive amounts of information on your products and services. In addition to sharing information on your company, its history and your staff, you can gain PR and media exposure, show multiple images of each product with detailed descriptions, uses, strengths, customer reviews and testimonials.
7. A small business website provides a great line of communication
Before a customer will buy, you need to develop a relationship. Get feedback through surveys, connect and share with social media sites, get reviews and testimonials. Your Contact page lets potential customers, call you or send an email message for additional information or to set up an appointment to meet with you. Add an ‘Instant Chat’ feature that lets customers ‘chat’ with you in real time to help you close a sale faster.
8. Be where today’s customers are – online
As noted above, telephone company Yellow Pages, local newspapers and magazines are all in survival mode – circling the drain on the way to oblivion. Customers – especially Millennials – now do all their research online before they buy anything. If you aren’t there, you aren’t even in the game.
9. Your website lets you present yourself, your staff and the company in a ‘tone’ that best matches how you work with customers when you are face to face.
If yours is a laid back, casual company, present yourself or your company that way on your website. a little bit of animation or a cute cartoon can go a long way in letting customers know if they want to deal with you. If your company structure is more formal, you can present that tone too. The ‘theme’ you select, the colors you use, the font styles and your content can all be manipulated to present your small business in the best light possible.
10. A business website is the very basis of marketing in today’s world
Online is where people will look for you, or someone like you who does or sells what they need. Yellow pages, magazines and newspapers are dying off at a rapid rate. Wasting money on advertisements in those dinosaurs is like throwing money down the toilet and flushing it away.
A website is one of the best investments you can make in your small business. Compare the cost of a few well-placed ads that have come and gone and you could probably have hired someone to create a basic small business website. You can always add additional information later, but let people know you are out there now. If getting started on planning for your site seems overwhelming, let’s talk about creating a plan for your first steps into Cyberspace.
