Does Your Small Business Need a Website, or When?

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According to industry statistics, roughly two-thirds of all small businesses today have a website. However, that means a third of all small businesses don’t have websites. In most cases, businesses that don’t yet have an online presence feel they don’t need a website or don’t have the skills needed to build one. If you’re one of those business owners, there are some compelling reasons to reconsider your stance.

Today’s Customers Use the Internet Like a Phone Book

In the past, consumers pulled out the Yellow Pages when they needed to find a product or service. That’s not really true anymore. Today, shoppers of all types use computers, tablets, and smartphones to shop for goods and services. If your business doesn’t have an online presence, you’re losing potential customers. Website design professionals can show you relevant statistics related to your business and area to provide a better idea of how your company could improve sales with a web presence.

Websites Make Your Business More Competitive

It’s hard to compete with multi-national companies that have brick-and-mortar stores in every city. However, a quality website goes a long way toward providing a level playing field. Site visitors don’t know how large or small your business is. They only know you’ve invested the time and money to generate a website that provides what they’re looking for.

Advertising is Easier, Less Expensive with a Website

Traditional advertising is expensive. Weekly ads in local papers, spots on the radio, and television ads get expensive quickly. In addition, those ads may not even reach your target audience. On the other hand, websites work 24 hours per day. When properly constructed and maintained, websites offer a better return on investment than most traditional advertising. Yes, it costs money to construct and maintain a website, but most business owners quickly see their businesses grow after a site goes live.

Presenting Your Brand is Easier

Both startups and existing businesses need to promote their brands constantly. While signage, print advertising, and other types of ads accomplish that goal to some extent, websites put your company name in front of countless shoppers. When changes are needed, it’s easy to update your marketing online.

When Should a Company Have a Website?

While every company’s needs differ to some extent, having a website is important from day one. That means a company should, ideally, work with a web design expert to have a site ready before a business even opens the doors. However, if you’ve been on the fence about having a website for your business, now is a good time to explore your options. A website design expert will gladly work with you to evaluate how to best design a new site and generate additional income.

Don’t Ignore Social Media

Business owners are rapidly learning the importance of social media sites. Shoppers of all ages are using social media to learn more about businesses and products, and that’s not a bad thing. However, social media users are notoriously fickle and tend to move from one social media platform to another quickly. So, work with the experts to make sure your social media presence is always linked to your website.

If you’ve got questions about designing a new website or updating an older one, now is the time to contact a web design expert for advice. Design experts work with clients to design sites that match the needs and budgets of any business.

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