Does my business need a website
Does my business need a website? is a question still asked by potential new clients. They think that small business’ don’t need a website or in the case of some start-ups it’s not even in the budget.
Today Google is king and if you’re not online people will have a hard time finding your business. No business is too small for a website. A website gives you an opportunity to showcase yourself, your business and your message to the public.
Business Credibility
In years gone by business credibility was through the Yellow Pages, you would have to buy a big ad to get noticed. When was the last time you opened the yellow pages? Speaking for myself I don’t think I have looked in the yellow pages for at least 7 years. Whenever I am looking for a product or a service I go straight to Google. Google is easily accessible on my PC, my laptop, my tablet and my phone. Google is always with me. The yellow pages is sitting in the shelf having never been opened and waiting to go in the recycle bin when the new one arrives.
Today a website gives your business credibility, your potential customers expect you to have a website. A website gives your potential customers 24/7/365 access to your business. It gives potential customers access to your products, your services and related information. Set up right with on page lead generation potential customers hopefully become customers.
If you integrate SEO into your website, you are opening your business to a much larger potential customer base. If you start blogging you are going to position yourself as an expert and an authority in your field, keeping your customers informed on the industry and what is happening with your business.
Don’t forget to integrate social media into your website.
Business Email
Having a website gives you an opportunity to have a ‘yourname@yourbusienss.com.au’ email address giving your business an instant credibility boost. Yes, it is ok to start out in business with a Gmail address but the shine of that soon wears off when you have to start telling clients your email address, it never sounds professional and looks worse on a business card.
Bonus Tip
Don’t build your own website (unless you are a website developer). People can always tell when you have a “home-made” website. When you have, a site built by a professional you are not only paying for the build, you are paying for all the experience that comes with the company as well.
Written by David Stansfield - 8 February 2017