Having a successful business in today’s economy is becoming more and more challenging. Smart business owners are constantly looking for ways to “get ahead” of their competitors. Traditional marketing efforts simply are not enough if you want your business to stand out in today’s increasingly mobile and digital world. Here are some reasons why your business needs a website to get ahead and stay ahead of the marketing curve:
1. Credibility / Trust
For any business, credibility and trust are key issues. Research from marketing agency Hubspot indicates that 78% of active internet users are using the internet to conduct research before making a buying decision. People want to get to know your business and what you offer before they decide to do business with you. With the growth of Smartphone and tablet usage, people have the ability to compare you and your competitors almost immediately. Having a professionally designed website with fresh, relevant content can literally set you apart from your competitors and put your business right in front of people who are considering buying the product or service that your business can provide right when they are looking for it. According to Website Magazine, essentially, your website is like a resume for your business.
2. Having a Hub
Think of your online marketing strategy like a bicycle wheel. Your strategy should include several spokes such as social media marketing, email marketing, seo, etc. that all lead back to the hub. Your website is that hub. It is the only place online where you have complete control over the message that is being sent. It’s where you want people to go for up-to-date information and calls to action such as email forms and contact numbers.
3. Your Competition is Online
When a potential client goes to Google to search for a client to do business with, will they find you or your competition? More than likely, many of your competitors already have a presence on the web. If you don’t have a professional, relevant site then you are literally missing out on opportunities to get new leads and you’re losing sales to your competitors. Let me emphasize here the importance of having a REALLY GOOD website. If you aren’t willing to invest in having a professional looking site then don’t have a website! Like it or not, people will see your website as a reflection of your business. If you have a poorly designed, out-dated site, then potential clients will move on to the next site.
4. Open for Business 24/7
Websites never close. A potential client who wants more information about your business may not always be able to contact you during normal business hours. But they can go to your website. Even if they can’t find exactly what they need to know and have to use your contact form, it’s still a way for them to contact you when it’s convenient for them, even after normal business hours.
Your website is your home on the web, the place to which all of your online, and in many cases offline, marketing efforts need to lead. After reaching your website, people should be presented not only with effective, beautiful marketing, but action items that provide little to no barrier for them to find or contact you. This idea is at the core of WideNet’s strategy and why our considerable experience as a website design company provides such value to a comprehensive digital marketing plan. We accomplish this through a complete web presence effort accompanied by our expertise at building search engine optimized websites. Your customers will find you wherever they are, they’ll click through to your website, and they’ll like what they see!
