If you don’t have a website at this point, you may wonder if you even need one. Below are four of the key benefits you can expect to gain from your new website:
You will have more control over what is said about you online and in social media.
Even if you don’t have your own website, the truth is your business undoubtedly has a web presence anyhow. Your business is probably showing up in review sites, social media, directories and the like. The problem with these platforms is you have very little control over how your business is portrayed. Even when you have lots of positive reviews on someone else’s site, your business will still be sharing space with ads for your competition. When you have your own website, people have the opportunity to find information about your business on your terms. Even when they find you on review sites, they will be able to click on your link and go to your site for focused information, without wading through the clutter of information about your competition.
You will save valuable time.
Here’s something you may not have considered: When people contact you, do you end up answering the same questions over and over? Instead of taking up your time, those curious people could simply check your site and get answers to their questions right away, day or night, seven days a week. This will help cut down on those repetitious, time-consuming calls. The time savings are even more significant if you tend to get a lot of requests for services or products that you do not provide. Having a website that clearly shows what you do offer will eliminate a lot of those annoying and unproductive calls.
A good website contributes to your professional credibility.
In today’s busy world, many people — especially those who come from large cities — assume that a business without a website isn’t a “real” or professional business, so it’s important to have a site if you want to attract those customers. Additionally, in a smaller community like ours where local businesses are less likely to have websites, having a site yourself will boost your local credibility and help you stand out as a pro-active professional.
Your website will amplify all of your other marketing efforts.
Any marketing that you do automatically results in a certain percentage of people looking for your business online. It’s simply the primary way that many people shop around today. Your website will help lead prospective customers to and through the buying process. Having a website provides an opportunity to start to build a relationship with your prospects before you ever meet.
Even if your marketing is limited to word-of-mouth or tacking up fliers on local bulletin boards, many people will search for your business online as a routine first step in checking you out. Having an informative website will provide an opportunity to win-over potential customers who may be interested but hesitant to call or visit your business in person. Have you ever put off making a call because you didn’t want to be subjected to a high-pressure sales pitch from a business person you know little about? Your website gives your prospect an easy, no-pressure introduction to your business that will encourage them to go ahead and contact you. It’s all about that old sales axiom, “Make it easy for them to buy.”