A baker’s dozen reasons for having a business website
We all know that phrase – google it.
But have you ever really thought about how those two words can turn your business around?
The answer should be obvious – a website.
In today’s age, people use the internet to find what they are looking for and if you don’t operate a website you will remain invisible.
There are more than a dozen reasons why you should have a website if you are a business owner. Let’s take a look at these.
- It’s cheaper
Having a website is so much cheaper than paid advertising. Advertising is transient and can cost big bucks. A website, on the other hand, allows you to advertise your business 24/7 at a fraction of the cost. Another advantage is the numerous avenues of offline internet advertising that are available and are often offered free of charge.
- How to advertise
The internet is a flexible advertising platform. You can plug your business on Facebook and Google Ads, or you can opt for a SEO service provider to boost your business ranking. SEO means Search Engine Optimization and a good service provider is sure to improve your internet ranking – the number of hits/customers who visit your website. Invest in SEO to increase your sales and turnover.
- Customer Satisfaction
Owning a website will inevitably make for happier customer relations. You will make their lives so much easier because they will no longer have to travel to visit you at your business premises. Instead, they can do so with a few clicks of a mouse. Another great advantage is that a website gives your customers the time and privacy they need to browse your “store” and make a purchase online.
- Increase Your Customer-Base
Websites generate potential global customers. It is not restricted to a building on a street in a town or city. A website is open for viewing by anyone living anywhere in the world. That kind of power will inevitably attract a much larger customer-base than if you were simply reliant on word-of-mouth or passing trade.
- Availability
There is no closing time with a website. Your business is available to potential customers 24/7. When you go to bed at night there are millions of people situated in other corners of the globe who are operating in daylight hours – millions of people who may visit your website and order a product online. Just remember to keep your web page updated with all relevant information.
- Hit rates and other info
The beauty of a website is the invaluable information available at your fingertips. It tracks the number of people who visited the site, and updates your customers’ messages and emails.
- Keep it Fresh
Savvy business owners incorporate blogs on their websites. Blogs are content articles that both entertain and inform your readers about subject-matter related to your business. Keep your blogs fresh and up-to-date and watch your number of visitors grow.
- Links
Links can be described as the life-blood of viral marketing. Links are used to “attach” one site to another and the more sites that you are linked to, the greater the likelihood of your website being read. Having links is basically an acknowledgement of a good website. So, if you have a good website the greater the likelihood of it being linked to other websites. But it is vital that you always feature informative content that is related to the products and services your business provides.
- Improved Customer Relationships
A website helps you to improve your customer relationships because you can respond quickly to any of their queries or orders via email. It also enables your customers to give you feedback and view your products online. However, the key to your success is to be vigilant in your response time to any of their queries.
- Increase Your Sales
It stands to reason that the more people who visit your site, the better your chances of increasing your sales. Keep your website up-to-date and informative. Those are the keys to increasing your turnover.
- Improved Credibility
A website allows you to improve your credibility. By constantly monitoring your website with updated product information and quick turnaround time will help you to build a platform of trust which, in turn, should lead to good feedback and increased sales.
- Customer versus Client
Transform a once-off sale to a customer into a client of long standing. A customer is generally regarded as a walk-in who makes one purchase and is never seen again. A client, on the other hand, becomes a regular customer. Change a customer into a client, because that is what a good website can do for your business.
- Be innovative
There are two approaches to building a website.
You can do it alone or you can employ a professional.
If you have the time and the expertise then, by all means, start your own website. Browse the internet for a number of free website options. You will, however, have to pay for your website to be hosted. If you appoint a professional, he/she can get the job done efficiently and payment usually includes web page hosting.