If you are a business owner looking for a way to get an edge over the competition, then one of the best steps you can take is to have a great company website. While this might seem like an obvious action to take, there are many businesses out there who have yet to take the website plunge. They might cite any number of reasons for not having a website, so let’s take a look at some of the common ones.
Excuses for Not Having a Company Website
- We are building our company through word of mouth.
- We are opting for social media because it’s free.
- We don’t know how to build a website.
- We don’t want to be concerned about e-commerce fraud.
- We don’t think we can afford it.
- We are just a small start-up, a website isn’t really important, is it?
Word of Mouth Marketing
So, in fairness to the tried and true approach of word-of-mouth advertising, it must be recognized that 64% of marketing executives believe word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM) to be the most effective form of advertising. However, when someone hears about your company and decides to check it out for themselves, they are still going to want to view what you have to offer online.
Social Media vs. a Website
In a world where it seems that everyone is on social media, isn’t it enough for a small business to just use social sharing platforms? After all, it is free to set up an account, which makes it quite budget-friendly for a small business. And, with all the various social media platforms you can reach people of every demographic -right? Surprisingly, perhaps, the answer is No. Just using social media is not enough to build a successful business.
It is also worth understanding that relying on social media in lieu of a website is dangerous. Social media sites are forever changing What is working this week might not be effective a month from now. Algorithms change, posting rules change, and people leave the platform. All of these factors mean you risk losing your influence, a website is there 24/7 and while the search engine rules may change from time to time, you will not have to change as often or be concerned that people will leave your “platform”.
We Don’t Know How to Build One
You don’t have to know how to program a website to have one. There are tools online that can help you. Or, better yet, talk to the Page Progressive team We will listen to your needs, ideas, and plans and craft a website that is everything you need it to be. Then, we can teach you how to add to it or can handle the maintenance side of things for you.
Fraudulent Website Activity
While this is a fair concern as a business owner, and perhaps even a somewhat valid one, this is not a reason to forego having a company website! While there is no such thing as a 100% safe-from-hackers website, there are many precautions that can be taken to protect your company website. The team at Page Progressive will explain these fail-safes to you so that your site can be safe.
Why Have a Business Website?
The last two reasons – money and being a start-up- can be best answered this way. If this is your thinking for not having a company website, then consider these statistics regarding business websites:
Fewer than 64% of small businesses have a company website.
Want to stand out from the crowd? Then a business website is the first place to start. In fact, you can’t afford not to have a website if your goal is to grow and be found. When you have a fast, up-to-date website that is engaging and easy to use, you are poised to better impress your customers. They will see you as a credible business and are more likely to send others your way.
When planning to make a purchase, 70-80% of consumers will visit a company’s website before calling or visiting in person.
This is because, in a world where we are always busy, people don’t want to waste time going somewhere that doesn’t have what they want/need. A website allows you to showcase what you have and thus draw people in. A study by Top Digital found that 91% of people visit a store because of an online experience, and 69% of consumers who look up a local business on their smartphones visit a store within 24 hours, and nearly 50% of them make a purchase within a day.
As much as 80% of potential customers can be missed without having a website.
That can add up to significant income, which means you are losing money by not having a website- not saving it! Keep in mind that consumers believe companies with a website to be more credible.
Finally, regarding the cost of a company website. In most cases, you can maintain a website for less than $500 a year. Yes, the initial investment for the cost of building a website is higher, but if you find yourself unable to pay out of pocket, consider a small business loan. Sure, there might be some interest on the loan, but the revenue from having a well-built and designed website that increases your income will be worth it.
Additional Reasons to Have a Company Website
- Your website will attract new customers through Google. When your website is designed, part of the process should include getting your company set up on Google Places. This single action can drive a significant amount of traffic to your website which in turn sends people to your location or services. Without a website, search engines cannot direct people to you. In addition, you can integrate your website with Google Maps, which makes it even easier for people to find you.
- A website keeps track of your audience. If you are curious as to how better reach new customers while retaining those you have, then it is important to know the demographics of your site guests. A website will have tracking tools that can let you know everything from how long people are spending on your website to their age, preferred products, and a long list of other information that can help you be more effective in your marketing.
- A website lets you showcase testimonials. Sure, you can do this on social media – and you should! But, having a website where you display testimonials and reviews lends credibility as well as encourages others who are deciding if they will choose you. Do you have industry awards or recommendations? Then show them off on your website. Were you featured in a publication? Yep, put it on your website. After all, while you can put these things on social media, they will have only a short lifespan there. Placing them on your website means they are there until you decide to remove them.
So, are you ready to move your business to the web? Then now is a great time to start. Contact the Page progressive development and design team today.