Like many small business owners, you may believe your business cannot benefit from having a website or that a website is not within your budget. It might be that you do not use a computer often, you think neither do your potential customers. These are misconceptions. These 8 reasons show why your company NEEDS a professional website, no matter the size of your business.
1.Gain Credibility
2. Save Money
3. Keep Your Customers Informed
4. Your Business Is Always Accessible
5. Target A Wider Market
6. Showcase Your Work
7. Save Your Time
8. Improve Customer Service
1. Your Small Business Will Gain Credibility
Today, more and more consumers use the internet to search for products or services they need. Your small business will gain credibility by having a website. If your business does not have a website, potential customers will go to your competitors that do. If you already have a website but it is “home-made”, having it professionally redesigned will provide your business with a professional image that will inspire even greater confidence. For home-based businesses, this is particularly beneficial since you do not have a storefront to promote your products or services.
2. A Website saves You Money
As a small business owner, you probably think you cannot afford a professional website, but in fact, you cannot afford NOT to have one. Although the cost of designing a website varies, once it is up and running, a website for a small business generally costs under R 700.00 a month and, in some cases, as little as R 250.00 Compared with the cost of a newspaper ad, when you consider the potential market you can reach with a website, it is a very cost-effective way to promote your business.
3. Having A Website Will Keep Your Customers Informed
Think of your website as being your online brochure or catalogue. It is much easier and quicker to update information about your products and services on your website than in print material, making it an effective way of letting your customers know about the arrival of new products, upcoming events, special promotions, or any new services you now offer. Unlike print ads which quickly become outdated, your website can provide current information and news.
4. Your business Is Always Accessible
A website is available to both your regular and potential customers 24/7/365 providing them with the convenience of reviewing your products and services when your store or office is closed. With today’s busy lifestyles, this is a great selling point when making a purchase decision.
5. A Website Make It Possible To Target A Wider Market
Whether you provide products or services, your website will provide an alternative location to sell them. An E-commerce website is a great place to sell your products to a wider market as a retailer; even services can be made available globally. If you think you will not be able to sell your products or services online, do not forget, even cars and houses sell online!
6. Showcase Your Work Through A Website
No matter what type of business you are in, a website is a great place to showcase your work. By including a portfolio or image gallery, as well as testimonials about your work, you can demonstrate what makes your business unique.
7. A Website Saves You Time
Providing information to your customers takes time, whether it is on the phone, face-to-face, in a brochure, or in emails. With an online catalogue, you can provide lots of information about your products and services. Once your website is up and running, it is available to your customers indefinitely, saving you time. And what is time? Time is money!
8. A Website Improves Customer Service
Maybe you sell environmentally friendly products and would like to share tips on how to recycle, or perhaps you are an accountant and want to give your clients advice on how to simplify their bookkeeping practices. By including a FAQ page, adding articles, or uploading newsletters to answer all your customers’ questions you can keep them up to date. What better way to provide them with value-added service than by sharing information on your website?