Six reasons why your business needs a website

Most of us spend an inordinate amount of time online, checking our Facebook and catching up on the local news. Despite this, an estimated 25% of small businesses still don’t have a website, and of those that do only a small minority have mobile websites. Why is this?

10% of small businesses have no plans to build a website anytime soon. Small, long-standing family businesses often shun technology because they know nothing about it. Others stay away from the digital side of running a business because they don’t have the capacity to grow the business and a boost in sales could cripple them. And lastly, there are plenty of small business owners who are simply too busy to think about websites. But they should!

Without a business you are effectively invisible outside of your normal catchment area. Arguably this is not a bad thing if the phone is ringing off the hook and your staff are maxed out trying to deal with existing orders, but your business really does need a website – and here’s why.

1. Brand Building

A website will help you to build your brand and reputation. There is a limit to how many sales you can make within a small geographical area. Local people will get to know you and in time spread the word about what you sell, but if you want to reach a wider audience, you need a website.

2. Extra Information

These days, if people want to find out more about a business, they go online. Websites are usually the first port of call for customers when they need a telephone number, product information, or directions to the store. So instead of fielding phone calls about trivial things while you are trying to deal with face-to-face customers, get the information online 24/7 instead.

3. Sales and Marketing

A business website is a valuable sales and marketing tool. Customers can go there and find out more about your products and services. If you have compelling sales copy on your website, this will help to attract more customers and boost sales; it will also help you reach a wider audience.

4. Keeping Up with the Joneses

The chances are good that your competitors have a strong online presence, so do you really want to let them have the edge? As we have already mentioned, most people look online before they buy, so if you don’t have a website and your competitors do, you will be missing out on sales.

5. Generate New Leads

There are lots of ways you can use a website to generate new leads. Special offers, discount codes, or freebies will all help to attract new customers. Of course you can do all of these things in-store, too, but the online audience is far, far bigger.

6. Establish Credibility

First impressions count and a slick, well-designed website will go a long way towards creating a professional, more credible image.
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