If you’re asking the question, the answer is probably “yes.” I can’t say that every business needs one, nor can I say that every business is at a point in its development to need a top-of-the-line website. What I can say is that any business that isn’t satisfied with their current level of income and wants to grow will need a good website at some point. Here’s why:
Having a website adds a level of legitimacy to your business. Have you ever searched online for a business and couldn’t find their website? Did you wonder if they were still around? Without a website, the only available information about your organization will be from third party sites that might provide faulty data. A well designed and up-to-date website shows that your company is relevant and on top of things. Plus, if your business is new and doesn’t yet have a brick and mortar presence, a website can be your storefront and can help control the impression your potential customers have of your business.
If your customers can’t find your website, they’ll probably find your competitor’s. I recently Googled a business by name, but they didn’t have a website. Instead, I clicked on the first search result, a Manta listing. Immediately after providing that company’s contact info, it provided a competitor’s weblink. If I had been considering buying from them, their competitor now had a leg up by getting their website in front of me first.
A website can potentially reach millions of people. Whether tangible goods, services, or concepts, you are in the business of selling something. A well developed site can stand alone or complement a traditional marketing campaign and potentially reach many more customers. A magazine may only be read by its subscribers, but a website can be seen in almost every home and office across America. Plus, once the initial investment has been made, a website will keep working for you at minimal additional monetary cost.
A website provides your customers and potential customers with information about your business beyond what can be found in a telephone listing (which few people use nowadays anyway). If you have a law practice, a website can provide not only contact information but also information about the types of law practiced, attorneys employed, and examples of successful litigation your firm has handled. Similarly, an engineering firm’s website might inform the user about the disciplines practiced, familiar projects that the company has designed, and strategic partnerships you may have with other businesses. On the other hand, a restaurant’s website might provide not only menus but also give the searcher a feel for its atmosphere.
Do you have unlimited time and/or human resources to answer basic questions about your business? No? Wouldn’t your time be better spent actually conducting business rather than answering questions about your hours, location, policies, and all the other mundane details like that? With a website to answer those questions, you can put your time to better use.
Want to help the environment? Want to save on paper and marketing materials? It costs a lot less to print a web address or a QR code than it does to print an entire brochure on heavy, glossy paper. It also creates much less waste considering that most of that collateral will end up in the trash at some point, even if you get the sale. A well designed website can help you achieve your paperless goals.
I can think of plenty more reasons to have a website, but the bottom line is this: in today’s world, no matter what business you’re in, if you want your business to grow and succeed you need a good, up-to-date website. It’s a simple as that.
We would be happy to discuss web matters with you and answer all of your questions! You can either call us at (225) 615-8358 or fill out our Contact Form and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as we can.
Image courtesy of digitalart at freedigitalphotos.net.