An online identity is just as vital as a physical identity these days and, in many cases, it’s even more crucial than the age-old trusty business card. It is 2013 after all, and with many reasons to possess a website for your business, we’ve narrowed it down to the top five. Here’s why you should be part of the new generation of advertising:
1. Competition
When your potential clients search Google for a company to do business with, will they find you or your competition? Chances are most of your competitors already have an online presence. That means they are undisputedly stealing your sales right from under you. Facebook may be a start, but do you want to settle with “good enough”? No matter how great your service is, if you aren’t part of the game, you can’t win.
2. The Internet Influences Purchasing Decisions
Whether it’s buying books from Amazon or buying clothing from Zappos, most people now make purchasing decisions online.
Even if your business operates offline, having an online presence is of critical importance.
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.
3. Branding and Customer Confidence
Your customers assume you have a website. If you don’t, they’re disappointed by having to find another less convenient way to learn about your business and their confidence drops. You weren’t there for them and have already let them down before you knew they even existed. Earn their trust by pursuing their satisfaction in advance.
4. You Build a Powerful Marketing Channel
Your website also serves as a powerful, cost-effective marketing channel that works with your current marketing system.
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. Customer Service 24/7
Websites are always open. A potential customer wanting more information on your business can’t call on the weekend, he doesn’t look for your business card, he doesn’t remember your print ad, but he DOES search for your website. Even if he has to use your site’s contact form to find his answer, the fact that his inquiry has been submitted is more satisfying to him than waiting for 9AM Monday morning.
