6 Reasons Why Every Small Business Needs A Website

The disconnect between small businesses and the growing number of consumers who vet brick-and-mortar businesses based on their online presence could be keeping small businesses from millions of customers and massive amounts of additional revenue. 

A website not only helps small businesses promote and sell their products and services, but it also allows them to distinguish themselves from their competitors, especially for customers who rely heavily on the Internet to learn everything about a company. 

Roughly half of Google searches are for local businesses and about three quarters of those searchers visited a local store afterwards. This emphasizes the fact that every local small business should have a website or face the prospect of closure.

This makes a website one of the most important business assets for attracting paying customers, sharing information, building credibility and standing out in crowded marketplaces.

Most small businesses with a website recommend that other small businesses should also have a website. Here’s why:

1. Get More Customers

The future success of your business depends on the ability of your business to bring in new clients. Reaching people with only traditional methods of marketing such as direct mail or printed advertisements is costly and unreliable. Going online lets you connect with more people in or out of your area at a lower cost. It also allows you to analyze the outcomes to fine tune your marketing strategies.

2. Grow Your Business

Small businesses always look to grow in the market and make contact with new customers. Although face-to-face interactions are essential and business can come through word-of-mouth recommendations, a website offers you the opportunity to reach thousands of customers online.

If you have an online store, you can offer items online and deliver products to customers anywhere around the globe.

You may find that people from a neighboring area or in another state are looking for your services which could lead to a bigger coverage area, or even the expansion and creation of regional offices.

A  recent study showed that 81 percent of U.S. small businesses say that having a website has helped in the growth of their company. With a website, you will be able to get in touch with more potential customers and create more opportunities.

3. Gain A Competitive Advantage

Most customers utilize the Internet to conduct research prior to making purchases. They want to be educated about their buying decisions; the items they purchase and where they purchase those items. 

Without having a website, you're at risk of losing customers to companies already using the online marketplace. If you're in direct competition with another business that has a website, your competitor has a clear advantage.

Having a business website can clearly give you an advantage over your competitors if they do not have a properly designed website themselves. If they do, then it's time to have a website of your own or risk losing your customers to these competitors  

4. Make It Easy For Customers To Find You

Most small businesses with a website agree that it’s made it easier for customers to find their business. 

Today, customers are constantly searching on mobile phones, PCs and tablets. Voice search has meant that searching for the products or service that a customer wants is easier than ever before. 

A website enables customers to find your company and learn about your business and what it offers at any time and from anywhere.

5. Build Credibility For Your Business

Most U.S. consumers believe a company with a website is more credible than one with only an online social media presence. A business website is therefore an essential tool to establish credibility and to attract new customers .

6. Your Customers Expect It

Today’s tech savvy customers expect a business to have a website. If a business doesn’t have a website the customers will find another business that does.

Conclusion

⁣⁣Having a small business website is no longer a luxury, but rather a necessity. If you are a small business owner and have read this article you should clearly see that you need a website for your business to ensure that it thrives.