Why Your Business Needs a Website

Does your business have a website?

Whether you are new to or have been running a business for 15 years you will, hopefully, already know the importance of having a website for your business. If you don't already have one, you're probably asking yourself why you need one? Or maybe you already have one, but aren't optimising it as well as you could be? The benefits of having a website to display and inform current, as well as potential new clientele will help build your business even faster than without. 

According to Feedough.com, there are many types of businesses and even more forms they can take. From a sole proprietor-owned manufacturing business to a corporate-owned merchandising business, your business will fall into one of these categories. So, it is important to let your target customers know what kind of business you are and what goods and/or services you provide. What more effective and simple way to do that than with your own website.

10 Benefits to having a website for your business:

1. Wider demographic reach

NirvanaCanada.com says that a website allows your business to reach a wider demographic around the world. Customers who aren't found in your local area will be exposed to what you have to offer them, expanding your business and profits. 

2. Promote your business

Online marketing is faster, more efficient and cost-effective according to Mountaintopwebdesign.com. Through a business website, there are many tools and techniques available to you to market your brand. Social media, blogging, email marketing, images, videos, reviews/testimonies are all available to use on your website to market to your audience.

3. Look professional

Elevate your business from the corner shop down the street to a professional and polished occupation that is serious about what they do. A website lets you design a one-stop for everything a potential customer needs to know about your business, what you sell/provide, and ways they can contact you. Having everything in one place keeps things organised and professional.

4. Tell your story

Broadly.com suggests your website is the perfect place to humanise your business. Dedicate a section or entire page of your website to your business's history, why, when, how was it created by who? Is yours a family business that's been around for decades? Let your customers know and build a relationship with them. 

5. 24/7 online presence

With a website, your customers have access to your business information anytime, anywhere, even outside of business trading hours. In this busy world we live in, your website provides flexibility for customers no matter their availability or schedule. 24/7 access also allows your business to make announcements and keep customers up to date through the website and email marketing.

6. Improve customer education

Your customers may know your business for one particular product or service it provides, without ever discovering your business's full catalogue. A website helps to educate your customers in not only what you do, but how as well. A pharmaceutical business may use its website to explain the benefits and adverse effects of over-the-counter medicine. A beauty salon may use its website to educate customers on the different skin types and which treatments will benefit each one.

7. Showcase your portfolio

Your business website is a great place to display the work you and/or your staff have done. Showcase your editing skills, building projects, photography work etc. on your website for everyone to see. Your portfolio can bring new customers to your business, help your service be hired, or lead to a collaboration with another business. Use the opportunity to proudly exhibit what you do.

8. Gain insights into your audience

Using tools like Google Analytics you'll gain insights into those visiting your webpage. Analytics help you to gauge how many people are visiting, what pages are the most popular, the search query on google that leads them to your page and more. With these insights, you will be able to finetune and tailor your website to optimise your products and services more accurately for what your audience is looking for.

9. Save money

Thanks to the internet there are more and more businesses operating from home through an online presence. This saves money on rent, employee costs, electricity, fuel and more. Whether this is feasible for your type of business or not, having a website saves you money on printed marketing, information leaflets, and even the time of your employees/self. 

10. Customer interaction

STEPS suggests a website creates clearer communication channels between your business and its customers while providing practical information. Your website allows customers to stay connected with your brand but also aids in your business keeping up to date with customer satisfaction. Customer feedback is key for ensuring your business is maintaining a high level of service and products over time. Feedback is also a great marketing technique that your business can take advantage of. For a product or service that customers are unsure about, being able to see reviews and feedback from other customers may just be the thing that sways their decision.

Whether your business is a non-for-profit that's been around for years, or a small business just getting on your feet, a website can benefit you in many ways. Creating a website doesn't have to be pricey, or complicated. There are many free services to help you build and optimise your business website yourself (WordPress, Wix, Canva). Your website can fast-track the success and brand of your business in a way you can actively be involved in and see in real-time.

Just think, without this website, you wouldn't be here reading these 10 great benefits to having a business website of your own.