Do I really need a website?

If you're a small business owner and you're not sure whether you need a website, let me say this: you do!

Every business can benefit from the additional leads, extra sales and increased brand awareness that comes with having a professionally designed and optimised website. Whether your business has been around for a while, or you're just setting up your new venture, a website will be one of the greatest assets that you invest in.

Here at Avenue1 Design I work with small business owners, just like you, to bring them lead-creating, sales-generating websites that unlock their company's success.

If you're still having doubts over whether you need a website or not, take a look below at my top 5 reasons why every small business should have a website.

( I've also tried to debunk a few of the common misconceptions that business owners have about needing a website, a little further down).

The top 5 reasons your business needs a website

1.
A website means your business can be found.

Potential customers are searching for your services or products, online, right now. Do you really not want their business?

Everyday, Google returns results for over 3.5 billion searches. Not surprising when you consider that 97% of people will search online to find and research a local business. Let the business they find be yours.

2.
A website brings credibility to your business.

It's a fact that people are more likely to hand over their money or information to a company that they trust. When you realise that 30% of consumers say they wouldn't consider a company without a website, you start to see the importance of having one.

Not all websites are made equal however. In 2018, 75% of consumers admit to judging a company's credibility, based on the design of their website. Make sure your design is up to scratch and your site is working to increase your visitors' trust in your business.

3.
A website is an invaluable tool for communicating with potential customers.

In April 2017, a report published by the Local Search Authority suggests that 63 percent of consumers primarily use a company’s website to find and engage with businesses.

Without a website of your own, that's 63% of potential business for you, handed freely to your competitors.

4.
Showcase your best reviews and testimonials.

I've touched on company credibility already, but there are few better ways of building trust in your business than providing social proof of your services or products.

Over 70% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, so why not share your glowing recommendations with the people who are looking for them?

5.
Consumers expect the answers to their questions, NOW!

If they're searching online, visitors to your site will be looking for instant answers to their questions. Your website should be able to tell them in 3 seconds:

What your business is
What your business does
How they can contact you

If they don't easily find the answers they're looking for, your visitors will 'bounce' off to another site, or back to the search results from whence they came.

So there they are, our top 5 reasons for any small business to have a website.

Don't worry, if you don't have a website yet, you're not alone. In 2018, 46% of small businesses didn’t have a web presence (The Balance Small Business). Although, with the number of people searching online for reviews and recommendations, do you really want to remain a member of that particular statistic?

But my business isn't big enough to need a website.

Your website will be your number one marketing asset. It doesn't matter how large or small your business is. With more and more people heading online to find what they're looking for, if you're not there, how will they find you?

I'm already busy, I don't need more work.

If you're that busy, you almost certainly need a website. Your website doesn't have to be used to bring in more customers. Depending on your industry, your website can be used to answer all the questions your clients have, meaning fewer phone calls or emails to respond to. It can collect leads, manage your stock inventory or automate your sales emails. It can be used to create mailing lists, to drum up business for those times when you're not so busy. It can save you time, leaving you with more of it to manage and grow your business.

I'm not selling anything online, so I don't need a website.

Although you may not be selling online, if you're a business then you're undoubtedly selling something. Maybe you're an electrician selling electrical services. Or maybe you're a personal trainer selling private sessions. Your customers are still going to need to find you. They will still be searching for someone to provide the service they are looking for. Let that someone they find, be you!

So, what now?

Well, hopefully after reading my top 5 reasons to ensure you have a modern and easy-to-use website, you understand that having the right kind of digital presence will bring a host of benefits to business. More leads, better conversions and increased sales can all be achieved with a professionally designed website.

There's no time like the present, hit the button below and let's get started!

Contact us today

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