Let’s be clear: If you own a business and you don’t have a website, you are leaving money on the table. And guess who’s picking it up?
Your top compeitors! Those who have invested in a quality website to:
- Establish their brand’s credibility
- Provide valuable information to current and potential customers about their products or services
- Display their portfolio visually
- Manage online reputation
- Reduce time-consuming phone calls
- Drive sales
That’s right! Your potential customers are looking for your products and services online and since they cannot find you, they are buying them elsewhere.
It’s 2016 and more than half of small business owners still don’t have a website for their business.
During this time where overall internet usage is consistently growing and over 1.32 billion people are expected to buy goods and services online by the end of the year, why are so many small business owners slow to adapt? Here are a few reasons why most small business owners say they don’t have a website:
Building or having a website built is too expensive.
One common statement that that business owners make is that a website is too expensive. Aside from the investment that it takes to create a superb product or service, building a quality website to showcase and inform the public of these great products and services should be a top priority. There are several web development options available today to fit any budget out there. Just take some time to research and get a better understanding of the overall costs and what you can expect to get in return. The most important thing business owners must realize is that having a quality website can deliver a stronger return on investment than any offline marketing tactics that business owners have traditionally used.
A website is not necessary for my business.
For businesses that have been operating for years without a website, referrals and repeat customers are typically the source of all sales. Therefore, they really don’t see an immediate need, however, websites do more for your business than drive sales (or even more sales, but hey, who wants that?). They help establish your business’ credibility, grow your brand in the digital community, and serve as the primary resource to provide answers to your customers and potential customers about your products, services, pricing, contact information, and much more.
Your website is your digital storefront and primary location. Many business owners rely on other websites and platforms to promote their business, but who ultimately controls those platforms? It’s a great thing to create a Facebook page for your business, but if Facebook decides to change it’s policies regarding business pages and what content they can create and share, page structure, or just goes down without warning, where will your customers find you? While having a strong presence across multiple platforms, no third-party website should be a supplement for your own because you have no control over it and whether it stays, changes, or goes. All roads should always lead back to your website where you have full control of the content, structure, design and overall branding of your business, products, and services. Overall, your website is your digital home base.
I don’t have time or know where to start.
This is likely the most valid reason of all. Many small business owners are responsible for several operational functions when first starting out or even after they’ve been in business for a few years. In the midst of making and taking phone calls, developing their products, providing a service, handling accounting, and everything else that goes into managing the business, many entrepreneurs just don’t feel like they have the time to do any research to find out how to get started.
Though finding the time may be difficult, it should be a priority because in 2016, your customers expect you to have a website. There’s just no way around it. If you want to grow your business, you have to be available 24/7 and the best way to do that is through a website that is working on your behalf while you and your team are sleeping. Set aside some time to do some thorough research. Find a qualified professional to design and develop a quality website that showcases your brand in the best way possible.