Introduction
As a small business owner, you may believe your
business cannot benefit from having a website or that a website is not
within your budget. Or maybe you think because you don't use a computer,
neither do your potential customers. These are misconceptions, the
internet is a fact of business life, so even small firms need a presence
online to hook customers.
Despite the ever-increasing importance of an
online presence for businesses of all sizes and descriptions, many
smaller businesses are not adjusting their strategy accordingly.
But why is this significant? Does it even matter?
Many small business owners view their business as a
totally offline entity, pursuing traditional means to promote themselves
and win new customers. However, regarding any business (from the
largest enterprise to the sole trader, or anything in between) as purely
offline is a risky strategy to take when your customers are spending
more and more of their time online.
Taking advantage of the web as a business tool is
important, even for businesses that may consider themselves as primarily
offline. Beauty businesses, fitness businesses, plumbers, driving
instructors and any number of other service businesses ultimately all
measure success by their ability to build offline relationships – and
the web can play a huge part in that. So no matter how established your
businesses is offline, it's crucial to get the basics of online in
place.
As a small business, it's unlikely you'll have big
budgets, staff or free personnel hours to invest in a complex online
strategy, but there are certainly some simple steps you can take to
start reaping the rewards that the web can bring.
Listed below are 8 reasons why your company NEEDS a Business Website.
1. YOUR SMALL BUSINESS WILL GAIN CREDIBILITY
Today, more and more consumers use the internet
to search for the products or services they need. Your small business
will gain credibility by having a website. Without one, potential
customers will go to your competitors that do. If you already have a
website but it is "home-made", having it professionally redesigned will
provide your business with a professional image which will inspire even
greater confidence. For home-based businesses, this is particularly
beneficial since you do not have a store front to promote your products
or services.
2. A WEBSITE SAVES YOU MONEY
As a small business owner you probably think you
can't afford a professional website, but you can't afford NOT to.
Although the cost of designing a website varies, once it's up and
running, a website for a small business generally costs under N50,000, in some cases, as little as N30,000. Compared with the cost of a
newspaper ad, when you consider the potential market you can reach with
a website, it is a very cost effective way to promote your business.
3. IT WILL ENABLE YOU TO KEEP YOUR CUSTOMERS INFORMED
Think of your website as being your online brochure or catalogue. It
is much easier and quicker to update information about your products
and services on your website than in print material, making it an
effective way of letting your customers know about the arrival of new
products, upcoming events, special promotions, or any new services you
now offer. Unlike print ads which quickly become outdated, your website
can provide current information and news.
4. IT IS ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE
A website is available to both your regular and potential customers
24/7/365 providing them with the convenience of reviewing your products
and services when your store or office is closed. With today's busy
lifestyles, this is a great selling point when making a purchase
decision.
5. A WEBSITE MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO TARGET A WIDER MARKET
Whether you provide products or services, your website will provide
an alternative location to sell them. As a retailer, a website
(eCommerce) is a great place to sell your products to a wider market;
even services can be made available globally. Don't think you'll be able
to sell your products or services online? Don't forget, even cars and
houses sell online!
6. IT PROVIDES A MEDIUM ON WHICH TO SHOWCASE YOUR WORK
No matter what type of business you're in, a website is a great
place to showcase your work. By including a portfolio or image gallery,
as well as testimonials about your work, you can demonstrate what makes
your business unique.
7. A WEBSITE SAVES YOU TIME
Providing information to your customers takes time, whether it's on
the phone, face-to-face, in a brochure, or in emails. With an online
catalogue you can provide lots of information about your products and
services. Once your website is up and running, it is available to your
customers indefinitely, saving you time. And what is time? Time is
money!
8. IT IMPROVES CUSTOMER SERVICE
Maybe you sell environmentally friendly products and would like to
share tips on how to recycle, or perhaps you're an accountant and want
to give your clients advice on how to simplify their book-keeping
practices. By including a FAQ page, adding articles or uploading
newsletters to answer all your customers' questions you can keep them
up-to-date. What better way to provide them with value added service
than by sharing information on your website.
No comments:
Post a Comment