Does my small business really need a website?
"Does my small business really need a website?" is a question that we get asked frequently by business owners. Most of them want to know whether a website is worth the investment for their small business. The short and simple answer is YES. A bold, italic, capitalized yes! A professional website will up-level your business like nothing else.
Despite websites being around for over 25 years, many small business owners still believe their business doesn’t need a website, whether they believe it’s not required for their specific industry, or because they use social media instead.
In this article we’re going to explore specific reasons why your small business should have its own website.
01. It’s expected
Let’s face it, we’re living in the digital age and as such customers expect to be able to find information about you and your company online. Most of your clients will do some research online before making a purchase in order to make an informed decision. Your website doesn’t have to be complicated, as long as you have a few pages with information tailored to your target audience.
02. It’s affordable
Many small businesses still rely on third party business listings (such as Yellow Pages) as advertisement to get their name out there. We’re not negating such methods & we do encourage all of our clients to sign up for free local business directories. However, before purchasing an ad with an expiry date you should evaluate if the ad will give you the exposure you expect. Alternatively, your website acts as a 24/7 marketing machine for your business, has a wider audience reach and websites costs are decreasing every year.
03. It’s easy to update
Most small business owners reject the idea of owning their own website simply because they believe it will take too much time and effort to update it. This couldn’t be farther from the truth, especially when using a platform such as WIX, that is easy to understand and features a user friendly content editor. While it's true that you will inevitably have to spend some time on updating your content it’s far less that what you’d expect. Ultimately your customers will appreciate finding up to date information and will remember you as the trustworthy professional that provided it.
04. Brand image control
Having your own website allows you to create your official presence on the internet, making it easier for you to communicate the right message to your customers. Owning your website offers an opportunity to showcase your brand and your values, making it easier for potential customers to connect with you on a more personal level.
05. Customer engagement
Creating your website with WIX makes connecting with your audience easier than ever. Features such as email marketing, contact forms, chat apps & email inquiries allow you to communicate with your customers easily and in a timely manner.
06. It sets you apart as an expert
A professional business website not only sets you apart from your competition, it also has the potential to sets you up as an expert in your industry. This reason alone can make or break your business because anyone that needs the service or product you offer will want to work with the best of the best. You can showcase your knowledge and expertise through your website allowing you to compete alongside much bigger or already established companies.