When running a small business many business owners have a difficult time figuring out just how much energy to put into a website. This is especially true if your business is less than a five years old, or you’re just starting out. But if you want a successful business, one where you have good profits and customers are pleased with your service or product then brand awareness and visibility is your first step.
Â
If you want people to spend money with you and if you want them to be confident in your products and services, then you need a path to conversion. Turning people searching for an answer into loyal customers. And as Forbes has said, “In the early stages of the path to conversion, marketers should make brand awareness and visibility a top priority.” And there is no better way to do that then with website. A website also facilitates a lot of other needs for your customers.
1. A website is the perfect way to introduce your business to potential customers
2. A website can improve your customers experience with your business
3. A small business website helps educate and inform your audience
4. A website can help you stay connected to your customers
5. You can build your own website, but you will miss out on critical benefits
People find businesses online through a variety of methods, from simply typing in a keyword into a search engine (like google, bing, or yahoo) to finding companies through social media and digital advertisements. All of these searches result in somone being directed to a webpage. If someone is looking for a product or service you provide the question then is are they finding your website. If the answer is no then there are only one of two reasons.
The first reason is that you don’t have a website. In today’s day and age there is no excuse for not having a website at all. Having no web presence at all wont lead customers to you and to many it will show that you don’t really care about meeting the needs of your customers. You could make a website for free online, and it may not be a very good one, but at least you are represented online. A facebook page could provide representation as well, it may not meet the full need but it is a whole lot better than nothing. Which leads to the second reason.
Â
Not having your website optimized for search is the other reason people wont find your business online. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is one of the most common ways for customers to find businesses online. SEO involves strategies and techniques to make your small business website easy for search engines and better for customers to browse through. If you make your own website you likely will either skip this crucial step or may not do it as effective. If this sounds like you then you will want to read takeaway #5.
Â
Having an online presence and being optimized for search engines is essential in today’s digital landscape. Without it, your business will be hard to find and customers will have difficulty understanding what sets you apart from the competition. It also gives you the opportunity to reach new markets by putting your business in front of people who may not come across you otherwise.
85% of Americans say they go online daily, 31% of Americans say they are online constantly, and 48% go online serveral times a day. When you add those numbers up we are left with one question, if your customers are online then why aren’t you? 99% of global internet users between the ages of 16 and 64 all use some form of social media. And 4 of the top 5 most visited websites were social media sites. So your business needs to be on social media as well. Because it is easier to catch fish in the water rather than the desert go where the fish are.
Your small business website isn’t just a tool for introducing your business to potential customers, it is also an important factor in providing them with a great experience. Your website can provide clarity and transparency when it comes to what you are offering as well as how they can take advantage of it.
Having all the necessary information about your products and services on your website can help customers make informed decisions about their choices and ease the buying process. If you sell products having an online store provides an added convenience for your customers.
When your business is online you can provide a higher level of customer service by having additional resources such as order tracking pages, live chat support, and more. These are all things that will improve the customer experience and set you apart from the competition. Many of these types of services can actually help your operation and make things much easier for you.
Do you normally have to write orders manually? Online your webpage can do it automatically. Do you spend most of your time answering phone calls just to answer the same questions over and over? Well a frequently asked questions page can help reduce that and get you some time back.
Not to mention a great website design that is user friendly with intuitive navigation can help turn visitors into customers in no time. Creating an inviting look through effective use of colors, fonts, images and other visual elements can keep your audience engaged with your business, this is also a part of seo.
Especially if your business is technical, there are legal and industry requirements you must comply with, or there are a lot of changes to your products or industry then your website can be a great advantage for you. You can provide your customers with content about the latest industry developments, legal updates or product information.
Â
This type of content is a great source for educating and informing your audience and can help them make better decisions about the products or services that you offer. Additionally, this kind of content will give people a reason to come back to your website as well as provide an opportunity for you to show off your expertise. Doing so is a huge advantage because google, and your customers, will want to go to a place with experience, authority, and trust. And a website gives them more of a reason to trust you.
Â
It’s not just about selling products or services – it’s also important to consider the customer experience when it comes to researching a purchase. Customers want to know ahead of time if their future purchase will be the right one. No one likes to come home only to be met with disappointment in the money they spent. Your website can be a great resource for potential customers who are trying to decide on the best option and will provide them with the answers they need.
Every customer has a problem or pain point they need addressed. Sometimes they don’t fully understand the problem. Have you ever googled a health issue and been led to WebMD? If so, you understand how a website can help provide answers and address problems you may be facing. People use the internet to gain knowledge and insight into what they’re researching. If your business provides a solution then a website is a great way for people to be better educated about the issues and solutions facing them.
Â
Â
A website can be an invaluable asset for businesses when it comes to staying connected with customers. An effective website can keep communication open between the company and its customers, which is vital to customer success. Effective communication is the key to customer conversions. It allows you to create relationships with customers that can eventually lead to sales. Building on these relationships also turns sales to advocates and referrals.
When customers feel connected to a company, they are more likely to trust it and make purchases. Communication also helps build credibility by providing your customers with the necessary information about your company and products to make the best decision. One of the most important forms of communication in this area is responding to customers feedback of their experience.
When it comes to credibility one of the best forms of credibility for a website is social proof. Social proof can be in the form of customer reviews, referrals and case studies. Providing customers with evidence that shows how your products or services have helped other people reach their goals is always a great way to build trust. But if you don’t create a website how do you expect people to see the social proof you’ve worked so hard to get.
Your website can also help you build an email list or distribute a newsletter. Both are great ways to nurture your relationship with existing customers and find new ones. You can use this list for campaigns promoting new products or services, sales or discounts, industry news updates and more. Some companies also use their websites to build communities where their audience is able to provide support to each other. This is common with companies like Apple, or car enthusiasts.
A website can be an invaluable asset for businesses when it comes to staying connected with their customers. It can be used as a platform to create meaningful relationships and conversations with customers, which can lead to sales and advocacy. One way of doing this is through creating customer forums or discussion groups on the website itself. You may also connect them to Facebook or LinkedIn groups to enhance the community experience.
Â
Can you make your own website for your small business? Yes. Can I make a website for free? Yes. But should you? Well that is an entirely different question. If you are in business chances are you are betting that people will come and purchase from you because you are a professional in your industry. Chances are you aren’t a professional web developer or digital marketer. With that being the case in the long run you are safer and will be more successful if you hire a professional web design company or digital marketing agency to build your website and manage your online presence.
Â
Many hosting services will offer access to a website builder, which usually work fairly well to get something basic up and running. Companies like wix will even offer you a free website. But the addage, “you get what you pay for” definitely comes into play. These websites are basic, and if a free website was really a truly viable option why do the top companies, fortune 500 companies, and your competitors pay for a website over a free website?
Â
The answer is because some things are worth paying for. If you’re looking for a quality website then it will take time and effort, as well as expertise. You may be willing to put in the effort but do you want to sacrafice that valuable time and do you have the expertise? Especially as a small business owner your business need you to focus on what your business is best at, not web development.
Â
So if you’re looking to build a website for your small business there are numerous website building companies to choose from. The DIY webbuilders may be a good start if you are really strapped for cash and have no other option. But as soon as possible you will want to reinvest in your business online. If you aren’t willing to spend money on your own business what makes you think someone else will? And people often see this first with your website.
The cost of a professionally designed website from a reputable website developer will generally range anywhere from $1500 to tens of thousands. This greatly depends on the size of your website, the maintenance required, and the website’s complexity. Generally speaking, if you are looking for just a basic website the cost can be around $1500, and sometimes even less if you are lucky.
Many website design companies have different policies and practices, which make choosing the right one more difficult. But if you get the following needs met you will generally be off to a good start.
Having a website built is only half the battle. Just because you have a website doesn’t mean that people will visit it. You will need SEO for that. Search engine optimization is hugely important for your business to be successful online. And one of the most important things to remember is that seo is an ongoing process. So if you have a web designer tell you he will make your website “seo friendly” just know you will need to work on your website continually for it to stay that way. If you have to work on your business regularly why would you expect your website to be any different.
So SEO is something you will want to factor into your regular monthly budget. The great thing is your cost for seo doesn’t have to be extravagant, but it does need to be present. And the price will vary depending on the expertise of the company, the results expected, the scope of the optimization, and the time it will take to see change.
It is also important to remember that the higher your website ranks in search engines, the more people will be likely to see it and visit it. And if you have a great website with fantastic content and products then you will no doubt have success as you continue to optimize and build up organic traffic over time.
When you hire a professional to work on your online presence remember that you are investing in your business. You essentialy expand your team to make your entire business more effective. This is often far more cost effective than trying to do the work yourself or hiring someone full time. Plus this allows you to tap into someone else’s expertise to make your business much stronger.
The cost may be more than what you initially wanted, but the return on investment if done correctly will be much higher. So don’t skimp out and go for the cheapest option, because it won’t give you the best results. Investing in quality content and design, as well as SEO is what will get your business noticed. If you want people to walk through your door or call you on the phone then this is one of the top investments to make.
At 5020 Growth Solutions, we specialize in helping small businesses of all sizes reach their goals. We use professional and creative approaches to web design and SEO that are tailored to fit your business’s needs. Our team has a background in website development, marketing, SEO, content creation and more. So you know you’re getting the right people in your corner.
We understand that every business has different needs. Our team isn’t just filled with digital professionals but we have highly experienced marketers who know how to help you reach your goals. Whether it’s creating a stunning website or helping you build an online presence through SEO and content marketing, we have the skills to help you succeed. Contact us today to find out how we can assist your small business get noticed on the web!