1: Credibility
Even if your business operates offline, having an online presence is of critical importance. Your small business will gain credibility by having a website. Without one, potential customers will go to your competitors that do. If you already have a website but it is “home-made”, having it professionally redesigned will provide your business with a professional image which will inspire even greater confidence.
With social networks like Facebook and Twitter, whether good or bad, people talk about their offline experiences online. If you run a restaurant for example and a customer had a great experience in your restaurant, it isn’t uncommon to see her take to Twitter or Facebook to share her experience. When people do this, conversation ensues online and more people become interested in checking out your restaurant.
If you have a website they can instantly head over to your website to find out more about you, get in touch with your representatives and have their questions answered. This gets them more engaged and less-likely to forget your brand. Without a website, though, this becomes another forgotten experience since customers can’t do anything after hearing about you on social media.
2: Improve Customer Service
An FAQ page, adding articles or uploading newsletters to answer all your customers’ questions you can keep them up-to-date. What better way to provide them with value added service than by sharing information on your website.
You have a website people can visit regularly for more information about your products/services; you can use ads to promote this website online to drive business, you can leverage social media to go viral and drive more business and you can build an email list of thousands of people that you can get in touch with regularly about your services.
3: Position As An Authority in Your Industry
Having a website can also help you become authoritative in your field. With effective content marketing online, you automatically increase your authority not only to people around you but also to people all over the world. You get links, you get press and people talk about you.
4: 24/7 Access
Current, past, and potential customers will have 24/7 access 365 days a year, providing them with the convenience of reviewing your products and services when your store or office is closed. With today’s busy lifestyles, this is a great selling point when making a purchase decision.
5: More People Use The Internet For Making Purchasing Decisions
Whether it’s buying books from Amazon or buying clothing from Zappos, most people now make purchasing decisions online. Think of your website as being your online brochure or catalogue. It is much easier and quicker to update information about your products and services on your website than in print material, making it an effective way of letting your customers know about the arrival of new products, upcoming events, special promotions, or any new services you now offer. Unlike print ads which quickly become outdated, your website can provide current information and news.
