Not having a website in today’s business climate is like not having a phone number or a physical address. People expect to be able to find businesses online, and if you don’t have a website, you’re missing out on potential customers. Here’s why you need a website for your business.
Tell Your Company's Story and Raise Brand Awareness
When you have a website, you’re able to build trust and credibility with potential and current customers. Your website is like an online brochure that provides information about your business and what it does.
A website is your place to showcase an “About Us” page with your company’s story and also include your company values and mission. This is a great way to connect with potential customers and show them what your company is all about. When you get readers to connect with your story, they are more likely to do business with you.
Your website can also include bios of your key employees, photos of your team and your office, and any other information that will help potential customers connect with your business.
Build Trust and Credibility
A well-designed website will help build trust and credibility with potential customers. If your website looks professional and is easy to navigate, people will be more likely to trust that you are a credible business.
Customer testimonials are a fabulous way to build trust and credibility, and they can be included on your website. If you have press mentions or awards, those can also be featured on your site to show potential customers that you are a reputable business.
When you publish content on your website frequently, it also helps build trust and credibility. If you have a blog, publish new posts regularly to show that you are an expert in your industry. This will help potential customers see that you are a reliable source of information.
Provide Information and Resources
Your website is a great place to provide information about your products and services. You can include detailed descriptions, pricing information, photos, video demonstrations, and anything else that will help potential customers understand what you offer.
In addition to product information, your website can also be used to provide helpful resources for your potential customers. For example, if you sell products that require assembly or installation, you could include instructions or tutorials on your website. Or, if you sell products that need to be used with other products, you could include compatibility charts or buyer’s guides.
Generate Organic Traffic
Organic traffic is the readership that comes to your site from search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. When people use these search engines to find information, they type in keywords or phrases, and if your website is optimized for those keywords, your site will appear in the search results.
One of the benefits of having a website is that it can help you generate organic traffic. When you publish quality content on your website frequently, you’re more likely to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), which means more people will see your website when they search for keywords related to your business.
Think about it in terms of foot traffic for a brick-and-mortar business. If you have a store in a busy area, more people will see your store and be likely to enter it. The same is true for your website – the more people who see it, the more chances you have of converting them into customers.
Capture Leads
A website is a great way to capture leads from potential customers. A lead is a person who has expressed an interest in your products or service by providing their contact information, such as their name and email address.
There are several ways to capture leads on your website. One way is to include a form on your website that visitors can fill out to request more information about your products or services. Another way is to offer something for free in exchange for an email address, such as an e-book, white paper, or checklist.
Once you have captured a lead, you can then follow up with them and start building a relationship. These leads can eventually be converted into customers.
Generate Sales
Your website can also be used to generate sales. If you sell products or services online, your website is the perfect place to showcase your offerings and give people the ability to purchase them. An e-commerce website can be used to sell physical products, digital products, or services.
Have a 24/7 Online Presence
Your website is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which means you have a constant online presence. This is beneficial for both you and your customers.
For you, it means that you can reach more people with your marketing message. And for your customers, it means they can find information about your products or services anytime, day or night.
Provide Better Customer Service
Customer service is important for any business, and a website can be a valuable tool for providing it. By having a website, you can provide customers with all the information they need about your products or services.
You could answer inquiries around the clock by having a Frequently Asked Questions page on your website.
Some websites employ the use of chatbots, which are computer programs that can answer questions automatically.
You could also use your website to connect customers with customer service representatives via live chat, email, or phone.
Get Analytics
A website can also be used to gather consumer insights. This is the process of understanding the needs and wants of your customers so you can create products or services that meet those needs and wants.
You can gather consumer insights by analyzing data from your website. This data can include information about what products or services people are interested in, how they found your website, and what actions they took while on your website.
You can also access data about other websites and how they’re performing compared to yours, which helps you keep a close eye on your competition.
Get Feedback from Viewers
You can also use your website to get feedback from viewers, which can be used to improve your products or services. Feedback forms are a great way to collect this information. You could also choose to publish surveys and voting polls on your website. This is a good way to engage with viewers and get their opinions on various topics. Furthermore, you can use your site to request reviews and testimonials.
Make Updates and Announcements
Your website is also a great place to make updates and announcements about your business. You can use it to announce new products, services, sales, promotions, and special events.
You can also use it to let your customers know about changes to your business, such as a new address or phone number.
Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is more cost-effective than traditional marketing. And one of the most effective ways to do digital marketing is through a website.
There are many different ways to market your website, including search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click advertising (PPC), and social media marketing.
All of these methods can help you reach more people with your message and generate more traffic to your website.
Share Your Social Media Links
Your website can also be used to share your social media links. This is a great way to connect with more people and expand your reach. You can include links to all of your social media profiles, as well as buttons that allow viewers to like or follow your profiles.
What Makes a Good Website?
It’s not enough to have a website – it’s got to be a good website. But what does that mean? Here are some of the most common elements of well-performing websites:
Fast load time: A website that loads quickly will keep viewers engaged.
Easy to navigate: A website that’s easy to navigate will help viewers find the information they’re looking for.
Mobile-friendly: A website that’s mobile-friendly will look good on all devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Clean design: A website with a clean design is more visually appealing and easier to read.
Up-to-date content: A website with up-to-date content is more relevant and useful to viewers.
Well-organized information: A website with well-organized information is easier to understand.
SEO friendly: A website that’s SEO friendly will rank higher in search engine results pages.
Secure: A website that’s secure will help viewers feel safe and protected.
Why Social Media Isn't Enough
Some business owners feel that they don’t need a website if they have a business page on Facebook or other social media platforms. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
While social media can be a great way to connect with customers and promote your business, it’s not a replacement for a website.
Your website is the central hub of your online presence and should be the primary destination for all of your viewers.
Social media platforms are best used as supplements to your website, not as replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Websites
Here are some of the most common questions business owners ask when determining whether or not they need a website:
Does my business need a website?
While you don’t technically need a website, it’s still one of the best ways to connect with customers and grow your business.
How much does it cost to build a website?
The cost of building a website can vary depending on your needs and budget. You could choose to build a website yourself using a platform like WordPress, or you could hire a web designer to create a custom site for you. If you’re using a company to build your site for you, you’ll pay a one-time set-up fee, purchase a domain name, and then pay monthly for hosting and maintenance.
How long does it take to build a website?
The time it takes to build a website depends on whether you’re building it yourself – and, if so, how much knowledge you have, or if you’re having a professional web development company do the design and functionality for you. If you’re using a platform like WordPress, you could have a site up and running in as little as a day. If you’re working with a professional web designer, it could take several weeks or longer to complete your website.
What should I include on my website?
At the least, your website should include your business name, address, and contact information. You should also include information about your products or services. You may also want to include an “About Us” page, testimonials, reviews, FAQs, and social media links.
Do I need someone to help me build my website?
If you’re not familiar with web design or coding, you may want to hire someone to help you build your website. If you’re using a platform like WordPress, you may be able to find a theme that includes everything you need to get started.
What’s the best website building platform?
There are many different platforms for building a website. WordPress is one of the most popular because it’s free and easy to use. Other popular options include Squarespace and Wix.
How often should I update my website?
You should aim to update your website at least once a month, although more frequent updates are always better. Keeping your website up-to-date shows viewers that you’re active and engaged, and it can also help improve your SEO.
Conclusion
For your business, the importance of a website cannot be stressed enough. A website is one of the best ways to connect with customers and grow your business. It’s also a great way to show off your products or services and share information about your business. You can build a website yourself on a platform like WordPress, but it may be a better idea to outsource the job.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can hire a professional web designer like Ballen Brands to create a custom site for you.