If you’re a business owner on the fence about creating a website, we’ll save you some time—you need one. A good one. A professionally designed, lead-catching, sales-increasing, brand-differentiating website.
Here’s why:
Consumer behavior changes over time to adapt to modern technology, and consumer behavior has changed to adapt to the digital age. I’ll give you an example—the Yellow Pages. The telephone was a disruptive new technology in the late 1800s and changed the way consumers did business. As more and more households began to use the telephone directory to find local products and services, business owners realized advertising in it was a smart bet. By the 1930s, advertising in the Yellow Pages was standard operating procedure for most businesses… It made perfect sense.
Then came the world wide web and a new disruption to the commercial status quo: the digital transformation. As more and more consumers realised they could find what they needed online faster and more effectively than a phone book, behaviour shifted away from using the printed directory. By 2011, people then rarely or never used printed phone directories. Also in 2011, more consumers were already going online to find local businesses.
Fast-forward to 2019, and the number of consumers that go online to find a local business increased immensely. If you want them to choose your company, you need to be found online—meaning you need a website. Looking at the digital landscape in 2021, it would be pretty ridiculous not to be online as we are slap bang in the middle of the digital age and the forth industrial revolution.
WHY YOU NEED A WEBSITE IN 2021—NO MATTER WHAT INDUSTRY YOU’RE IN
Look, in 2021, you need a website. You needed one the day you started your business, but better late than never. We won’t waste any more time with a history lesson. here are 7 simple reasons why your business needs
- Your customers expect it: Six out of ten consumers expect brands to provide online content about their business on some from of digital property, and more than half head straight to the brand’s website for product information.
- It provides social proof: Ninety percent of consumers claim that online reviews influence their buying decisions. You could rely on ‘Hello Peter, Google and other review sites to host reviews for your brand, but you can kill two birds with one stone on your own website.
- You control the narrative: It’s true that you cannot control what others say about you on social media channels, but you can influence public perception by creating your won story via a business website.
- Your competitors probably all have company websites: Studies show that once a consumer has an idea of what they need or want, they start researching, and 72 percent of them go online to find educational material, reviews, and testimonials. So if you’re not staying competitive with your competition, you’re giving shoppers a reason to buy from another brand.
- Never put up the ‘closed for business’ sign again: Nobody wants to work at 3am, but some people like to shop then. Having a business website or e-commerce store means that you can sell products all the time – not simply between 9am – 5pm.
- You’ll show up in Google search results: Eighty one percent of consumers perform online research before making a purchase. That means they go to google and type in one or more keywords. If you don’t have a website for your business, the chances of showing up on the search engine results are zero to none.
- Showcase your products and services: Not only can you display your products or outline your services in detail with beautiful images, but you can provide short video tutorials or downloadable PDF instructions to give hesitant customers no reason to go elsewhere to purchase.
In conclusion
We cannot dispute that social media is a great channel where you can reach your online audience, which might make you think that you’re not ready for a website just yet. This is why it is important to determine what kind of website is a good fit for your brand and also what can help you stand out from your competitors.
It cannot be stressed enough that a website is the first interaction of your target audience with your brand. How you position your business is totally in your control. This increases the average time your customers spend on the website and perhaps influence their decision to contact you.
Tips to Get Started
Now that you’ve understood why have a website, let’s look at some ways to get started. First things first, choose a web hosting service. There are several companies that provide both domain and hosting services.
Choose a Domain Name
Ideally, your domain name should be that of your company name. In case, it is not available, you can choose a domain name that reflects your business line. Make the domain name catchy and distinctive. The domain name is a powerful marketing tool that you should fully utilize.
Web Hosting Service
Opt for a web hosting service that is credible with a strong reputation. Choose a service provider that can accommodate changes quickly and economically. This will come handy especially when your business expands, downsizes, or has other important updates.
Website Design
Website designing has to be a product of several brainstorming sessions as building it is not as simple as you may think. Make sure your website template is easy to navigate and doesn’t resemble your competitors. After all, you don’t want your business to look similar to your competition.
Final Takeaway
The Price of Being Left behind Is A Lot More Than Having a Website
Having a professionally designed, brand-differentiating website is critical to increasing sales, boosting the bottom line, and growing your business. It gives you a chance to be in front of the right target audience with your brand’s story. Moreover, having a basic website costs some pennies and can provide huge returns over the long run. If you’re ready to unlock your company’s success and get started with a lead-driving website, you can contact us here.
