What’s in a Website? A Case for a Small Business Website
According to figures from the SCORE Association, a non-profit organization of mentors to help small business owners, only 51% of small businesses have a website. Owning a website, however, brings with it many benefits that will help your business thrive. There’s really no reason not to have one! Here are a few reasons why:
1. Reaching more customers
According to the website InternetLiveStats, 88.5% of the U.S. population uses the internet. With this in mind, it’s clear that the internet is ripe with opportunities to attract more customers to your business. I can speak from personal experience when I say that whenever I want to go somewhere, I haven’t been before — a new cafe, a Mom-and-Pop pizza shop, etc. — I look to see if they have a website. And why wouldn’t I? A website is a perfect place to put your business’ operating hours, social media, menu or catalog, and mission statement — all the things someone would need to know before visiting. Additionally, services like Google Ads allow you to advertise your business’s website on Google, the most popular site on the internet.
2. Building trustworthiness
Proving that you’re credible can be hard when you’re a small business owner. It seems like everyone has heard horror stories about nightmare management, undercooked food, and disappointing service. A website, however, can help show your customers that you are reliable and even give them a way to contact you when you make mistakes. The proof is in the pudding: a survey by Verisign found that 84% of American consumers think a business with a website is more credible than one without. Plus, listing your contact information will allow disgruntled customers to more easily get in contact with your company, turning an unsatisfied customer into a satisfied (and possibly returning) one.
3. Selling your products online
In an age where you can order just about anything online, not providing an option to do so directly puts you at a disadvantage. This is especially true right now, in a time where many are self-isolating for medical reasons. Of course, this may not apply to your business — it would be rather hard to sell food products or in-house services online, for example — but if you can, you really should. And with services like Jimdo, shipping can be replaced with in-store pickup or curbside delivery!
All in all, having a website is a no-brainer. A well-designed website may be the difference between you edging out your competitors and failing to meet the market demand. There really is no better time than to start your business’ online presence.
Takeaway
Overall no matter how small or big a business is, a website and online marketing are necessary. Whether the website is built by a business owner or by a web design agency, it’s a business mix that should never be disregarded!
