This digital age, only those who adapt fast and right survive. In terms of business adaptation, this means having an expertly built business website equals.
Most small business owners prioritize increasing revenue, establishing new customer relationships, marketing, and advertising.* These concerns are solved easily by having a website. It’s surprising that almost half of small businesses still don’t have one.
If you are one of the 50%, here are 7 reasons why your business needs a website:
1. Your Customers Are Online
This is the most recent count of digital users in the world.
Source: https://wearesocial.com/blog/2018/01/global-digital-report-2018
They make 3.5 billion searches per day in Google, which is 78% of total search per day. If we expand that number to the nearest 100, the average daily query is 4,487,179,487.
Guess what? Your customers are one of them looking for you.
2. Unrestricted Marketing and E-Commerce Channel
Maybe you think a website isn’t needed because Amazon, Etsy, eBay or other online platforms are enough for your business to thrive and expand online.
Unfortunately, this is not true.
Here are the truths:
First, these platforms know more about your customers and your market than you do. You’ll get limited to no insight into your customer’s unfiltered needs. This results in a continuous trial and error. Your business either survive or lose.
Second, you are bound by their restrictive rules (shipping, return, and refunds). The way you price, place, and promote your product is subject to their guidelines. Trying to be creative can get your e-commerce account suspended and remove.
Third, you’re sharing the same platform with your competitor. Huge e-commerce sites have algorithms that may favor one seller over another in vague, almost secret ways. Many small businesses close their stores due to inconsistent and unpredictable sales because of the consistent algorithm or policy updates.
Having a website of your own, you are in control of everything.
3. A Website Gives Your Business Credibility
Businesses without a website have zero to little digital credibility (provided that you have at least a social media business page).
Credibility is an essential part of customer engagement and buying decision. They look for signals that show your business is reliable, trustworthy, and knowledgeable.
Almost 9 in 10 people search on the internet about “where to buy or shop”. After finding the website, almost half of them cites web design as the primary factor in deciding business credibility. While 34% of consumers think a ‘clear & smart’ website gives business more credibility.
4. Leads and Conversion Opportunities
A website opens a lot of opportunities.[*][*]
Local leads and conversion. 36% of consumers are more likely to contact a local business with a website. 76% of people who search for something nearby visits a business within a day. 28% of those searches result in a purchase.
Overall business growth opportunities. 81% of shoppers start their buying journey through a search. More than 40% of the total digital revenue is captured through websites organic traffic (these are the search engines which isn’t paid result).
5. A Social Media Page Is Not Sufficient
Convenience is the primary reason why people shop online. It is then followed by time and money saving. The more convenient and compelling your digital channel is, the more likely your customers will spend. A website makes this easy for you.
Social media can’t offer your customers this much-needed convenience. There is and will be a huge gap between the information you can provide and your audience needs.
Why? Internet users research every idea and advice for decisions they make. 86% of customers want to know your business products and services before dealing with you. This is through blogs, testimonials, videos, reviews, and your product page. Such features are not offered on social media pages.
They also spend 50% of their shopping time researching products online. By online, we mean all over the internet and not Facebook.
6. Improves Customer Service
A website enhances your relationship with your customers and business partners. This is through:
- Content that answers their question. This could be in the form of:
- Blogs (this kind of content gives 434% better chance of higher ranking on search engines)
- Videos (the 75% of mobile internet use), e.g. testimonials, product explainers, etc.
- Case studies/white papers/articles (the top 3 indicators of website credibility)
- Podcast (podcast listeners consume 5 podcasts a week).
- Real-time customer service. (Chatbots)
Through this, you can reduce customer frustrations, save time, reach, and learn about your customers through your customers.
7. Increase Business Competitiveness Online
In two to three years time, most of your business competitors will start building websites. However, your customers are already online and actively looking for you (note: 84% of them wants your website to be mobile first).
Grab this headstart opportunity and build your website now.
What Kind Of Website Do You Need?
First, you need a responsive web design, where your site adapts to varying browser sizes and device types. This ensures that your virtual representation works perfectly whatever device your audience might be using.
Second, it answers your audience needs. Your website should be customer-centric to prosper. Expert web developers can help you achieve this through structuring your website according to your customer’s expectations.
Third, your website should set you apart. You are unique and so is your business. Your website interface, structure, and service must adhere to your business distinctive qualities.
Build Your Website Now
Digital changed the course of how businesses interact with customers, the government to its citizen, and business to its partners. It also dictates how fast, when, and what a business should adapt.
A website opens new opportunities. It expands marketing methods and conversion channels and gives your business a more competitive advantage. In fact, 6 in 10 small business owners say their business grew after they built their website.
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