Why EVERY Business Needs a Website
It amazes me when small business owners ask me if they need a website. I have to bite my tongue so “well duh” doesn’t slip out. Yes - every business should have an online presence. It doesn’t matter what type of business you own, whether you are selling products or services or whether you are selling online or in a storefront. People will want validation that your business is legitimate and the easiest credential to provide is a website. If people do a search for your business and can’t find you on the internet it is almost disturbing these days. A website puts you on the digital map and provides customers with a reference point to learn more about your business.I was amazed when I read a 2017 study that showed that 29% of small businesses still operate without a website, and I was glad to hear that the number is expected to shrink to roughly 8% by the end of 2018.
The explosion of smart devices has literally changed the way people shop and buy. Most consumers are doing pre-shop research on line prior to making any purchases. Statistics show that the two channels most used when researching include online reviews (55% of global customers) and yes you guessed right – company websites (47% of global customers).
Additionally, prior to buying most decision makers are done with their research before even contacting a vendor, and most will do a general query or Google search as opposed to going to a specific vendor when researching.
It is hard to ignore the importance of a digital presence when you look at the stats below:
More than 65% of consumers conduct online product research before stepping foot in a store (Retail Dive Survey)
B2B decision-makers may be anywhere from 65 to 90 percent through with their research before they reach out to a vendor. (Forrester Research)
71 percent of those decision-makers begin their search, not on specific webpages of vendors, but with a general web search. (Google)
If a potential customer can’t even find your company in a search it is likely they may decide to go with a competitor they can find. Website costs have come way down over recent years. Typically, website costs consist of development, site hosting, and registering the domain name.
Ok, so now that you are convinced that you need a website, learn 3 Easy Ways to Establish Your Digital Presence.
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