Having a website is putting a face to your brand and you want to make sure your website perfectly reflects your business. Your website does not need to have millions of pages and content, but keeping it up to date and showcasing what your business offers are the priority. Take a look at your website and ask yourself when was the last time you updated it? Your website is the star of your business and for many customers, your website will be the first interaction they will have with you.
Here are our top 10 reasons why you need a new website:
- A website provides a professional presence and focal point for your business.
The initiation of any business relationship with the customer begins when the customer searches for a product or service. While you do not need a website to get discovered on a search engine, what consumers want to find is your website.
Directory listings provide very little information about your business other than a brief overview, hours of operation, and contact details. Internet users want more detailed information about your products and services that only a website can provide. Only if you have a website, can you truly attract the 95% of consumers who search online.
- It works 24/7/ 365 days as many prospective clients will research out of hours.
Even when the office closes at the end of the day, the company website is here to stay 24/7. You can access all the information you need through a website without having to contact a member of the team! Many clients conduct due diligence before making contact, not having a website may mean you miss out on opportunities as a website makes customers more confident of your abilities.
- A website is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge & expertise and showcase your products and services in more detail than you can on social media only.
Utilising social media to help promote your business is a great way to get your name out there and share new products/services. When using social media, it only allows you to dive into detail about a product/service to a certain extent whereas a website gives you endless opportunities to showcase your business.
- A website can be used to build long terms relationships.
Websites are used to help build relationships with customers right from the start of their customer journey. In fact, many websites also provide useful tools for their customers like cost calculators, product finders, etc. These are all powerful techniques used on websites to let customers know that a business understands their needs and can deliver the right solutions. This helps build relationships that not only increase the likelihood of a sale but that the customer will stay loyal to in the long run.
- A website helps a business stay relevant.
Customer experience is now the main area of competition between companies. Consumers are willing to pay more for a great customer experience and appreciate it more than the product or the price. A website is a key part of delivering an exceptional customer experience by enabling customers to find, discover and purchase products and services quickly, easily and conveniently. Having a website helps a business stay relevant to the needs of modern consumers and stay competitive with competing businesses.
- A website makes your business look professional.
When scouting a company to assist you in achieving your goals, a website is the best way to get a feel for what they do. Having a website that is attractive and has good functionality is the first step in setting your business apart from the competition. Without a website, potential customers may question the legitimacy of your business and opt to use a competitor.
- SEO and content.
Search engines like updated content. When an update is made to your site, Google and other search engines index your pages, resulting in a change in your ranking. Ensuring you be consistent with updating good quality content will help you increase your chances of being noticed on search engines.
- Your website does not integrate with social media.
Your website and social media go hand in hand to promote your business, having easy access to your social media profiles is a great way to get customers engaged. Your social media profiles should be linked on your website, either in the header, footer or using a sticky tab.
- Mobile-Friendly
Have you ever entered a website on your phone/tablet and could not read the content? Ensuring your website is optimized for more than the desktop experience is progressively important. According to Google, nearly 75% of users prefer a mobile-friendly site, so this is a huge market your business does not want to miss.
- Website design affects the impression that customers get from your business.
Building a website is creating an identity for your business. Your website will determine whether or not the customer will want to use your business or go elsewhere. Selecting the right design, colour scheme and content will allow your business to develop a personality and be the reason why customers choose your business.