Why You Need A Website for Your Business in 2021
Are you thinking about getting a website for your business this year?
In my experience as a web designer, I have often been surprised at the number of people I encounter who don’t think that they need a website for their business. In today’s digital world and current climate of technology, it seems obvious that a website is an essential must, but statistics tell us that an estimated 30 to 40% of small business owners do not have one. What is the reason for this?
A common reason I hear time and time again is that a business has a great Facebook page or social media profile and that is enough. With the explosive evolution of social media and its increased popularity, especially with the younger generation, this thinking is understandable. Short video snippets and attention-grabbing images are the new way to communicate information and grab the attention of users, and business owners often question whether people are still interested in visiting a website and reading through its web pages. A website almost seems old-fashioned and like a thing of the past. But is it?
Read on to discover the specific reasons why a website is still an essential must for a business in 2021.
1. A website serves as a dependable anchor and central hub for your business where you can control information and branding
In contrast to a social media platform that is always changing with its rules, algorithms, and trends, with what works today often not working tomorrow, a website offers you a central hub for your business that is always in the same place and available to everyone. New platforms for social media come and go constantly, making it risky to depend on, but a website is there to stay, serving to ground your business.
Additionally, a website belongs to you and you control its content and message. Customer reviews and comments on a social media profile are great, but ideally, you want to have the final say about how your company is presented to your customers and tailor it towards your target audience. Having a website for your business instantly creates an official presence on the web, so that you don’t have to depend on others speaking for you, and you can make it look the way you want, incorporating your logo and branding.
Ideally, you want your audience’s first and main contact with your brand to be your website. Portraying your business the way you want to towards them, you are in charge and control what content they see first and what information is highlighted. You can say what you want about your services, products and promotions, appealing to your audience in such a way as to communicate your mission and build their trust.
2. Customers expect a business to have a website
When you want to learn more about a business that you have heard about or seen an advertisement for, what do you do? Like me, I’m sure you hop on Google and search for the company’s website. It is not rocket science nowadays to figure out that customers expect that a business will have a website.
Now more than ever, customers want to be able to find information easily and quickly on the web and do research about you before they decide to purchase your service or product. If you don’t have a website, it sends a message about your business and instantly raises questions. Is your business not up to speed with modern times, not open anymore, or not interested in finding new customers? These are certainly not messages you want to send and customers will quickly move onto other businesses to find what they are looking for.
3. A website adds credibility to your business and makes you look more reputable and trustworthy
It has been shown that 40% of consumers don’t trust a business without an online presence, and rightly so! Having a website is one of the vital sources of your company’s credibility. By having a strong online presence, you build trust with your customers and show them that you are a legitimate and professional business.
But not just any website will do; the key is that your website must be effective. If you want to show your customers that you take your business seriously, you must be willing to invest in a professional website that is up to date. The majority of internet consumers will judge your credibility based on your website design and so it is imperative that your website is well-designed, works smoothly and quickly, engages users, and has the other markers of trustworthiness. At the end of the day, people invest in a business they can trust, and your website is the cornerstone for that link.
4. A website allows you to sell your products online, increase revenue, and serve your customers better
As the COVID-19 pandemic has made in-person business more difficult, more and more products and goods are being sold online. Online sales were on the rise even before the pandemic, and this trend is expected to continue moving forward. So even if you don’t think of yourself as an “ecommerce business” you should consider selling your products or goods through your website so that you can increase revenue and your offline business will benefit. There are many easy ways nowadays to incorporate an online store into your website through a third-party selling platform. The beauty of this is that it allows you to reach a larger audience market in order to advertise and sell your products and since your website is always live, 24/7 365 days a year, your business is continually promoted and sales can happen at any time.
Even if you don’t have a product-based business, a well-working website will still offer many advantages to serving your customers better who are spending their time in the online world. Whether it’s allowing them to book your services or make appointments online or providing them with your contact info, current business hours, or other info that changes seasonally, a website will allow you to do this, which automates things for you and provides your customers with an easy and hassle-free experience as they interact with your business.
5. A website allows you to find new, local customers
One of the biggest advantages of a website is to attract local customers in your area who are searching for your product or service offering. A website isn’t just for finding customers across the globe—it is most importantly for finding those potential clients right around you. Think about when you go to do a Google search—aren’t you often looking for something near you? This is especially true of mobile users, who make up about 50% of internet users today, as they are often looking for a store or other service while they’re on the go. You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to reach those potential clients who are right in your neighborhood and it is another important reason to get your business online.
6. All of your competitors already have websites
If none of the other points caught your attention, I hope this one does. If there’s any reason that makes a great deal of sense to get a website for your business, it’s that you’re not in the business alone, and that your competitors already have websites. In fact, countless other businesses most likely offer the same goods and services you are offering, and most of them have their own websites. Potential clients will flock to those businesses that serve them best in the online world and have well-working sites. You don’t want to miss out on the potential clients and business that your competitors could be taking from you!
After reading this I hope that you are able to better understand the reasons for getting a website for your business and how it is far from being a thing of the past. A website will be an invaluable asset that will serve in numerous ways to increase the success of your business and greatly benefit you and your customers!
If you don’t have a website for your business and would like to get one in place, or are interested in updating your current site, contact us today and we’d be glad to help.
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