The 10 Solid Reasons Your Business Must Have a Website

​Several years ago, I was meeting with a client for whom I wrote a monthly newsletter. I asked him if he’d ever considered developing a website for his business and posting his newsletters electronically?
 
“No,” he told me. “The Internet is a fad!”
 
I laughed.
 
He did not.
 
I’m just taking a shot here, but I’m fairly certain there are very few people these days who think the Internet is going anywhere, anytime soon.
 
However, on occasion I do still encounter business owners who aren’t quite convinced that their company really needs a website.
 
If you’re one of them, here are 10 solid reasons why you may want to re-think that:

1. Your customers are online. 
As of October 2020, there were 4.66 billion internet users worldwide.
 
Let’s face it. Your customers are online.
 
And they’re looking for you.
 
But you don’t have a website so they can’t find you.
 
That’s sad.

2. Legitimacy.  
I don’t know about you, but I don’t trust a business that doesn’t have a website.
 
For better or worse, a well-designed website lends your company credibility and professionalism while building trust.  
 
3. Your competition has a website.  
Sixty-four percent of small businesses have an online presence. If you don’t, guess who your potential customers are going to call?
 
Plus, a website illustrates how your company is superior to your competition.
 
Obviously.
 
4. A sales platform.  
Whether you’re selling products on an e-commerce site or selling your consulting services, a website gives you a platform for increasing sales of your products or services.
 
Around the world, online retail sales amounted to $3.53 trillion in 2020 and are projected to hit $6.54 trillion by next year.
 
Wouldn’t you love to have a slice (or two) of that pie?

5. Attract new customers.  
When properly optimized for search, your website will attract new customers from search engines like Google and Bing.
 
Ninety-seven percent of consumers tap into search engines to find local businesses.
 
NINETY-SEVEN PERCENT!
 
(Are the other 3 percent using the Yellow Pages, or what?)

6. Social proof.  
Testimonials and reviews offer potential customers social proof of your capabilities and/or quality.
 
Eighty-four percent of consumers trust online business reviews, and in fact, many won’t shop from an online vendor that displays less than four stars.

7. Expands your potential market.  
When a website is properly developed for mobile, your reach is extended exponentially.
 
Half of web traffic worldwide is generated by people using their phones to search for businesses.
 
When was the last time you went anywhere you didn’t see everyone staring at their phones?
 
8. A central source of information.  
Your website gives savvy shoppers all the information they need about your company including awards you may have received, any certifications you hold, your location, your contact information, promotions and more, making it much easier for them to choose to do business with you.

9. 24/7/365 availability.  
How much do you think you’d have to spend to have your sales force selling for you night and day, every day of the year?
 
Your website is a sales tool that does exactly that, and you don’t even have to give it benefits, PTO, or a gift at the holidays.

10. Business continuity.  
The global pandemic has forced many businesses to pivot away from traditional marketing and in-person sales to technology that allows them to still maintain a customer base.
 
A website allows you to still interact and engage with customers despite having to do so electronically.
 
Clearly, your business does need a website. Let’s get started on your company’s site today!
 
#companywebsite #whyyouneedawebsite #buildingyourbusinessonline