Do you own a small business? Are you a sole trader or have a start-up business? If you’re a business owner unsure as to whether you should have a website, I’ll save you some time - you need one. A good one. A professionally designed, lead-catching, sales-increasing,brand-differentiating website.
Here’s why:
Consumer behaviour has changed over time to adapt to modern technology. Do you remember back in the day when we would use the Yellow Pages to find a local business? Well, what a hassle that is now when you can just grab your phone, tablet or laptop, type in your search, et voila!
In 2019 the number of consumers that go online to find a local business rose to a huge 97 percent. If you want people to choose your business, you need to be found online - meaning you need a website.
If that hasn't already convinced you to get your business online, then here are 4 more reasons that should do it:
#1 - 30% OF CONSUMERS WON’T EVEN CONSIDER BUSINESSES WHO DON'T HAVE A WEBSITE
Your website is your number one marketing asset because we live in a digital age. We spend on average 23.6 hours online per week and are on their mobile devices for up to five hours per day. By now, consumers expect companies to have an online presence (including a website) and will consider a company that doesn't have one as less professional.
#2 - A WEBSITE IS MORE AFFORDABLE THAN TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING
Believe it or not, many small businesses still rely on adverts in local papers / telephone directories to get their name out there. No one is going to tell them to remove their listings, but is purchasing an ad in this ever-shrinking and increasingly expensive media the best use of your money? I offer web design from only £400, which is a fraction of the cost of a lot of other web design companies. Websites have a far wider reach compared with paper advertisements, plus you can easily amend your website and keep track of visitor statistics.
#3 - INTERACT WITH POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS
Not only are potential customers able to see your website, but they can also interact with you through it. Using email, contact forms, and chat apps, you can talk with customers from the other side of the globe, get feedback about your products and services, or even ship orders thousands of miles away.
#4 - SOCIAL MEDIA ISN'T ENOUGH
Lots of business owners assume that having a social media profile for their business is enough. Maybe you already have a Facebook page and some pretty good reviews on social media, that’s great, But there are some problems with this strategy. First, you’ll always be dependent on the social media platform you choose. Algorithms change, rules change, and what’s working one day might not work a few weeks from now (as many businesses who have depended on Facebook have recently learned). If you have a website, it belongs to you, and you control the content and the message. Part of the reason you started your own business is so that you don’t have to follow other people’s rules - so why would you just do what a social media platform tells you to?
So what are you waiting for? Contact me to get started on creating your website today!