So you are thinking of opening a business or maybe you already have one and it’s been years since you updated the website. In today’s business world a website is one of the first things you need.
A website is the best way to showcase your business. But, here is where it gets a bit tricky.
Having a business website isn’t just about selling your products and services, it’s also about providing your customers with value and a smooth user experience. Most businesses using DIY website builders like Wix and Squarespace have trouble getting the website to match the brand. Those sites use templates or cookie-cutter layouts that blend with other websites.
There is a high chance that your website will look just like someone else’s, and branding is so important to differentiate yourself. Having a company voice, uniqueness, and stand out from your competition is key to success.
Still not sure why you need a website?
Here are ten reasons why every business needs a website:
1. It’s just expected now
This is the most important part of your business. You can have the best products, provide the best services, and have the best team, but if customers can’t find you’re business or worse find your business and get turned off by your companies “image”, this will cause your products, services, and the team to lose the majority of their reputation.
More than 50% of customers try to find your company website to do a little digging around about who you are, what you offer, what other services or products you provide, this builds trust with your company and solidifies the sale.
If you don’t have a website, the tech-savvy users may simply go to your competitors or just lose interest in what they were looking for. Entrepreneur magazine outlines what customers want to see on a website.
2. Social approval
Online reviews and other people’s opinions play a HUGE role in brand recognition, awareness, and sales. Statistics show that 90% of customers said that reviews influenced their decision process.
There are a number of other websites like, Google, Facebook, Foursquare, Yelp that have reviews and hundreds of followers, etc. So your thinking why not just use them… because best practice is to bring customers to your website to finalize the deal/sale. If you have reviews on a third-party site, you’re most likely going to get reviews on your website as well. This helps with SEO and brand visibility. Think of it this way, the more people that go to your website the better you start ranking on search engines such as Google.
3. It’s your business, now sell it LIKE you mean it
Make it your own! I mean it is YOUR Business, right? Customers are already looking for your services and products. A clean, easy to navigate website with key information, products, and services, mission statement and helps add value, credibility and close the deal. A custom easy to use website makes that possible.
Creating a company blog helps your business get its story in front of its target audience faster and more efficiently than any other way. Plus it brings up the SEO of your website. Hey, more visits make your website more relevant in search results and that means more popular than your competitors. A WIN-WIN situation.
4. Return On Investment (ROI)
Most business owners think that a website can be expensive when you hire a web developer. Yes and No. Depending on the project scope and purpose of your website, prices vary. TIBINT made it simple to start small and affordable and have your website grow with your business.
The most important part of deciding to work with a developer is your Return On Investment (ROI). If your website costs you $500 a month but brings in over $15,000 a month, does the $500 a month seem expensive now?
If the website is bringing in $15K a month, it means there is MORE ROOM TO GROW! Our team does an analysis of your business, your website, and works with you to build a plan for growth.
Not sure what kind of website you need? Here are the three types of website:
Starter websites are great for announcing your new business and building a buzz online. These websites are usually promotional sites. It provides the basic info customers need to find or contact you.
Professional websites are great for attracting new customers and keeping them informed of special offers. These sites are great for establishing a business-to-customer (B2C) relationship. This multi-page site lets you tell customers about your business, share product photos or videos and even map your location.
Ultimate websites are great for interacting with customers, online appointments, ticket systems, and other features. These sites are great for online stores and medium to large businesses. We build stunning websites on the web’s most popular platforms, that are mobile-friendly and programed with advanced features that allow customers to interact with your site. Advanced website development is where you see the greatest results and our team is here to assist.
5. Put your time to better use
We all know it’s challenging to run a business. What if your website can automate and save you time with time-consuming tasks? Are you still penciling in appointments? Selling physical tickets to events? Gathering emails in Excel? Sending basic information to the customer that requests it?
Did you know that there are many customers already looking for your services and products but can’t find you? This means your competitors are literally stealing your customers.
Your website should free up your time for you to provide service to customers that are more important than your “maybe customers”. Customer service is key for repeat customers.
Save time, focus on customers, and GET FOUND by your customers rather than trying to find them.
6. Stop giving your competitors your business
Before you buy something or sign up for a service, what do you do? RESEARCH IT. Your website allows your customers to do their part and qualify themselves via research.
You don’t need to drop your prices or make it “MORE AFFORDABLE” or bombard them with coupons, you just need a well-presented website that sells your products or services for you.
7. It’s always working for you
Believe it or not, but websites don’t take breaks or need to go home after a long day of work.
Your website works for you 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This means customers can do their research and make purchases on their time and capture the customers you may have missed during the day.
Combining your website with tools such as email marketing, helps your generate repeat business and keep your customers informed of important information.
8. GOOGLE, Yahoo, Bing, and others
Google is at about 90.8% of search results and how people find things online today worldwide.
I mentioned the website and company visibility online. This part of your website is key! It helps your website appear correctly on, you guessed it, Google! …… and others. You know customers are looking for services and products all the time, why not be part of their search result.
Linking your Social Media to your website also helps create a community around your business. This means customer retention, brand awareness, and social media sales.
The chart below posted by Visual Capitalist reveals Google’s True Dominance Over the Web.
9. Help your sales team
There is always one question that a sales rep may not know how to answer. Advanced websites can have backend portal access resources to quickly access key information. You can also post a FAQ section to avoid unnecessary phone calls and a chat window for customers to get quick replies, rather than having to wait on hold for someone to pick up.
Having these extra tools is also Lead Generating. If it’s a new customer, an advanced website can quickly and automatically get their name and information for a salesperson to connect and close a deal.
10. Showcase your products and services.
This is the core purpose of your website. I mean you’re in business to sell or provide services. If you don’t have amazing products and services to offer your customers why be in business?
Use your website to showcase your business in a unique, creative, and intuitive way. What better way to show customers what you do and sell.