Today's world is digital. And having a business website is as necessary as it once was to be listed in the Yellow Pages. In fact, one study found that 97% of consumers polled had used the Internet to search for a local business in the last 12 months. Think about that, 97%... I mean that's pretty darn close to 100% (way to state the obvious Genia). So if your business isn't on the web, you're nonexistent in a world where almost all customers are spending their time.
Here are a few more reasons why every business should have a website. Period.
If there was a single reason why you should have a website, this is it. Today's digital-savvy and impatient customers expect businesses to be online. If your business doesn't have a website and a potential customer is looking for exactly your product or service online they have a 0% chance of finding you. ZERO.
Google and other search engines are an Opt-In service, meaning if you aren't sharing your contact information with them, they are not providing it to people online. A website acts as your link to search engines, telling them "Hey, I'm open for business. Tell people about me!" and they will.
It's true. You cannot control what others are saying about you on social media, but you can influence public perception by creating and sharing your own story via a business website.
Adding a blog can help spread your mission, vision, and values to potential customers. You can showcase your business's products and services, you could have a photo gallery or portfolio of your work. And you can even highlight customer testimonials. Having all of these options lets you control the narrative and allows customers to see how and why they should use your business from your point of view. Which makes their decision making easier.
If your competitor has a website, you have to have one as well. It's that simple.
Customers research before buying, and if you don't have a website, you're helping your competitors gain traffic, both to their website and their store. All because customers didn't know they had another option.
Nobody wants to work at 3 am, but some people shop then! Having a business website or, depending on your business, an e-commerce store means that you can sell products and educate potential customers all the time. Not just between 8 am to 5 pm.
A website can save you time and money as a business owner. Think about all of the phone calls and emails you get asking your hours and if you have a certain product, and where you're located.
Having a website enables you to provide the same answers you'd give in, but without having to actually be there. So time spent answering those questions and informing customers can be spent on other priorities. I'll also add that well thought out content on a website can sometimes sell your business and services better than you can on the fly.
We're happy to help your business get a website. Please give us a call at (406) 534-9851 and we can chat about your business needs.
