Why Do I Need A Website

 

As for you, your website can help you generate business, increase brand recall value, promote goodwill in front of customers and target audience, as well as deliver strong marketing messages. Think of it this way, your website delivers your marketing message 24 hours, 365 days in a year!

If you’re a business owner on the fence about creating a website, I’ll save you some time—you need one. A good one. A professionally designed, lead-catching, sales-increasing, brand-differentiating website.

I was asked recently, ‘why do I need a website?‘. This is a great question because we have so many other platforms available to us for free.

The answer isn’t simple to explain in depth, which is why I wrote this post.

For full disclosure, I’ve spent my adult life as a website designer. You’ll probably think me biased.

However, I’m confident a business will need it’s own website for many foreseeable years, no matter how many online options there are. I’ve got several strong reasons.

A window to the world

A website is a window into our business, which is accessible to anyone. Visitors look in to find out about us, view products, services, skills and inspiration.

It’s a nerve centre to communicate with an audience in depth. One place a business can demonstrate knowledge and achievements. We share background stories, an ethos and our goals.

It’s found in searches locally and across the entire planet. 

A website contains everything a buyer needs to know in one organised place. Crucially, that information can be retrieved quickly.

Use a website to make every online encounter with your business professional, clear and easy. Their experience will have a direct reflection on how users feel about your brand.

People rely on search engines and websites for solid, no-nonsense facts.

A successful website

Like anything in life, to get return from a website a lot of effort has to go in. Effort is the way a successful website owner will stand apart from the unsuccessful.

A website is the place to a build an archive of fantastic content which ranks on search engines.

Use that content on social media, building brand awareness.

Shareable content is something so many small businesses struggle to find – a website and blog are the perfect tools to host material.

Being the owner of a successful website takes time and dedication. Marketing your business online takes courage and passion. 

Why Do Local Businesses Need a Website?

As a local business, you need a website because your market demands it. Customers routinely use the Internet as an entry step in the marketplace for many product and service purchases. Other important reasons include the opportunity to deliver products to a wider market than your local base and to compete more effectively.

Customer Expectations

The information age of the late 20th and early 21st century means that people not only have access to significant levels of information but they expect that it is readily available. Customers often research companies and product options online, but in most cases, local businesses and chain stores offer the most efficient path to immediate gratification because they have inventory on hand for same-day purchase. By providing a website, a business can offer the convenience of instant information and still fulfill demand for product quickly.

24/7 Access

Another major advantage of providing a website to your customers is that you provide 24/7 access to information about your business and its products and services. Your business may close its doors overnight, but your website is busy marketing your brand and products to prospects and existing customers. It may show up in search results conducted by Internet users during the late night or early morning hours when your lights are off.

Market Penetration and Expansion

Having a website also allows your local business to sell more often to existing customers and reach additional customers. If you offer products and services for sale on your website, you give your customers a chance to buy on their own time and on their own terms. You can improve customer retention by offering personalized accounts that include customer profiles, transaction histories and product recommendations. Plus, your local business may have the chance to become a state, regional, national or even global business if you are willing to ship products to customers outside the local  markets.