It always amazes me the number of businesses I discover that still don’t have a website twenty-five years after the creation of the world-wide-web. Every business, regardless of size, needs to have a web presence and it’s a fundamental mistake to not have one. This is the first place potential clients go to search for products and services or to research your business and will be the first impression they have of your business. This is why it’s so important that you have one that’s technically up to date, simple to navigate and is desktop, mobile and tablet friendly. Here are some more reasons a business website is essential:

Credibility
Before the internet, most people thumbed through the yellow pages when they needed a mechanic or a cleaner. If you weren’t listed, then you probably weren’t credible. Now, with the internet, savvy consumers research products and services online before purchasing. If you don’t have a website they will probably go with your competitor who does have one, because they feel they’re more credible and because they couldn’t find you anyway. Having a well designed and informative site that looks clean and is easy to navigate makes a big difference and gives you instant credibility. Having no website, or a badly designed one, will have a negative impact on your business.

Greater chance to be found
Not all customers are sitting at home searching for a business on their laptops. Many are on the go, searching for a product or service on their phone or tablet as mobile internet usage continues to overtake desktop usage. Your website and social media accounts are easily accessible twenty four-seven by potential customers from the convenience of their local cafe, shopping centre or public transport. By having a well designed website that’s desktop, mobile and tablet friendly you allow for the searching and then purchase of your products or services around the clock and anywhere, with very few limitations.

Showcase yourself and your message
Whether you’re an artist or you manufacture drink holders, you have a business with a message to deliver. Whatever it is, a website is a great place to show off your talents or products through an image gallery or videos. It will make your business look a lot more interesting and keep visitors on your site longer. You should always be posting any new pictures or videos to show off your product and demonstrate the benefits of your business. Even if your business provides a service, such as plumbing or carpet cleaning, highlight what your service does best and the employees who make it happen, through the use of images and videos. This is a great way of letting your customers know what they’re getting and how effective your work is.

Marketing
If you get most of your business through networking and personal connections, then these people will want to check out your website. If you have a business and don’t have a website, you are losing out on a great opportunity to convert leads into sales. A website should be used to advertise and market your business. It’s important to make visitor’s feel that they are in the right place to find what they’re looking for. If they’ve just found you, then they may be just doing some research and not ready to call, email or purchase. One way to keep them interested is to offer a download or some other enticing free content in exchange for their details. Some businesses ask visitors to sign up for their newsletters or to fill out a quick form which means you now have access to leads that need only a bit more encouragement to become paying customers. While the initial visit may have been a brief one, when they’re ready they’ll remember you and return to do business. Other website marketing strategies include search engine optimisation, pay per click, email, video marketing, blogging, content marketing, social media and network marketing. All of these marketing strategies have been proven to be very effective but deciding which ones to adopt will depend on your particular business and budget.

Outlined here are just some of the many benefits of having a good website. A well designed, informative and professional looking website can make a world of difference. It needn’t be complex, just a few pages is quite often all that you need. It should have some information about yourself, an outline of your business offering and contact details. It’s also very important that your logo, colour scheme and branding is consistent with all your other marketing material. The more professional your website is, the more advantages you can gain. Using your website, you can continuously serve customers online and increase your credibility as a business owner.