There are so many ways to connect with people online, we’re starting to wonder if we even need a professionally designed website anymore. I’m often asked: “Can’t I just use Facebook or Instagram?” Hopefully this article will help you make that decision.
Why do I need a website?
Aside from the infinite possibilities to reach, and engage with, educate and form lucrative relationships with your target market, here’s why you still need to invest in a professional website. You need a website to help you to:
Get more customers online
90% of people searching the internet have purchased something, or contacted a company, online in the last 12 months. If you’re not there, you’re missing the opportunity to be the person they choose to do business with.
Get found online
When you’re looking for a product or service, what do you do? Reach for the White Pages? No, I thought not. My 68 year old dad buys his decking paint on eBay and uses YouTube to work out how to fix things. If he’s looking for a phone number or wants a new bike helmet, he’s straight onto Google. If you don’t have a website, the chances of you growing your business online are slim. Granted, you might get by with social media, but do you think consumers will take your business seriously if they can’t find your website, or worse still they do and it looks amateur? Enough said.
If you’re not serious about your business, why should your potential customers be?
Establish yourself as the authority in your field
Investing in a good quality website will allow you to educate and influence your site visitors. If you do this properly, you will become the go-to person in your business niche. Needless to say this is good for business! No site, no dice.
Remain open all hours
Your website is working to bring in business while you sleep. Implement some clever digital marketing strategies and you can be sure to create a machine that will work hard to bring in new customers constantly.
Gain credibility
Your website is often the first representation of your business – your chance to make a great first impressions. Yes you can (and should) use social media and other channels to enhance your online presence, but without a professional website, you’re just a faceless entity. Your website is the central nucleus of your digital marketing. Without it, you’re a high street shop without signage. You stand to lose trust. Big time.
Stand out from your competitors
Your potential clients and customers (and even your existing ones for that matter), are increasingly making purchasing decisions based on the caliber of your website. If you don’t have a website or your site is sub-standard, then chances are you’re losing out to your competition.
Conclusion
In short, you’ve got to be in it to win it! If you’re not online, people can’t find you or your site is lacking then you’re missing out. It’s not an option for businesses today – it’s an essential investment that you must take seriously. Can you afford not to have a professional website?
Got questions or need a hand establishing your business online?
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