Why do I need a website for my business?

In these days of fast-paced social media, a question we often answer from people is “Why do I need a website for my business?”. It’s a great question and one that is well worth digging into a little deeper.

In this article, we run through our top reasons why, today as much as ever, a website is essential for your business.

Already have a website? You may be interested in reading our top tips for how to make the most of your website, and about how to get your website on Google.

Credibility

“So, what’s your website address?”

Websites have been around for a long time, longer than social media. Often one of the first questions business owners have to answer when networking is “So, what’s your website address?”

Without a website, people may question your legitimacy as a business. Having a website is an opportunity to make a great first impression. It’s a great way of reassuring people that you’re a real, legitimate business.

Without a website, you may be missing out on valuable leads.

Depth of information

A website gives you the opportunity to organise things so that people can easily navigate around and find what they are looking for.

Take our business website for example, with information organised and clearly displayed. It’s simple for people to get to the relevant place and find what they need.

Compare this to a page on Facebook, it’s not so easy to find relevant, detailed information. Even if you do the information tends to be just small snippets, there’s no real depth to what’s on offer.

Depth, aside from being useful from the reader’s point of view, is also useful from the author’s perspective too. It allows the author to elaborate and really promote the benefits of their products, services or ideas.

Brand

Your website is your business’s digital home, showcasing you and your brand.

Aside from laying out your products and services, your website is your opportunity to clearly lay out who you are, what you stand for, and what you represent.

This brand credibility increases the chance of a customer buying from you.

Your website allows you to set yourself apart from your competitors and establish your identity.

Generating leads

Having the ability to present easy-to-find valuable information about you increases your chance of generating leads and sales. Once people find you and want to follow up it’s all there for them in one place.  

Being found (organic traffic to your business website)

Think about how you find information. Whenever you are looking for something, from a plumber to a yoga instructor, where do you go first?

Most likely, you will go to a search engine – Google most probably, or an alternative such as Yahoo or Bing.

A report by Econsultancy found that 61% of consumers use search engines to help them with product research before making a purchase. It’s just what people do…

Having a website is going to get you found.

Saving you time + Customer service

Having all your information laid out on your website in an easy-to-navigate way means that people can find what they are looking for without immediately having to pick up the phone and get in touch.

Along with being your online sale brochure, your website can field many of the questions it would otherwise take you valuable time to answer in person.

When people are ready to get in touch, they will understand most of the basics, allowing the conversation to get straight to the issue of how you can help them.

A website is both a great time saver and the perfect pre-sales tool for people who do reach out and contact you.  

Updates and announcements

Let people know what is going on with your business via your website with regular blogs and updates. Use tools such as OneSignal to notify people when content is updated.

I mention blogs. Find out more about how writing a regular blog can really boost your business presence in our blog.

Digital Marketing

As I’ve outlined above, there are so many great reasons for having a website. One area to touch on further is the other digital marketing potentials that having a website opens up. There’s direct selling through e-commerce for example or hosting courses on your website.

You can also combine your website with powerful email-based tools. For example, capturing information on contact forms and generating email lists for further marketing.

Find out more about how integrating email marketing into your website can be so effective in our blog.

Websites for business vs using social media

I started out by mentioning social media and comparing it with websites.

To be fair it’s not really a competition. Both are places that serve different needs.

What social media is great at is putting out short messages to grab attention. In a lot of cases, posts are used to drive traffic back to your website so people can find out more and follow up by purchasing or contacting you.

Find out how social media can be used to boost your business visibility.

Summary “Why do I need a website for my business?”

Websites are at the core of any digital presence you have. They serve as a great source of information for potential customers. They act as your digital brochure /store/school and more whilst you sleep.

If you don’t have a website yet or are looking to upgrade use the button below to explore the possibilities. Or get in touch by booking a free 15-minute consultation at a time that suits you, and chat things through with one of our professional website team.