Does your business need a Website?
Gone are the days where people searched through telephone directory looking for contacts at Yellow Pages.
Ask yourself: Who are your customers? Where can you find them? Do they search for products and/or services on the internet?
You may think you don’t need a website, well think again! Even if your website doesn’t sell stuff online, having a web presence can literally put you on the map and bring paying customers to your door.
In fact, 88% of consumers who search for a local business(on their phones), actually contact them within 24 hours.
Without a website, you’re invisible in web presence. Your website is a place where you can communicate with potential customers and teach them more about your business that can lead to sales. Also, it lets you build a relationship with your customers.
Facts, “Customers who learn something new about the products or services through your website are 5 times more likely to buy”
Online Presence
1. Reaching out to global market
Users often use search engines to find what they’re looking for, so it’s important for your business to be easily found online.
When users search for something, they usually already have a clear intention, such as making a purchase. This means a website can often pay for itself just by bringing in new customers.
For example, if someone searches for where to buy a nice T-shirt, you can assume there’s a clear business opportunity there. There are many ways to create an online presence.
2. To attend basic questions and answers instantly
Potential buyers will leave a website if it’s not immediately clear what the company does and will leave because of poor navigation or design.
We live in an age of NOW, where consumers want the information they seek immediately—meaning your company’s website should answer each of the questions above without the user needing to scroll down the page at all.
3. People are searching for products and services online
You may just want people to recognize your product, or know about your business. Your purpose will determine which types of presence are more suitable.
For example, if you own a physical store, like a clothing store, add the location to Google My Business to let thousands of people find it easily on Google Maps and Search.
Easy to set up
Are you wondering which platform to use? Think of what you want to achieve with your online presence. It could be getting more walk-in customers, more online sales, or more newsletter subscriptions.
You can create a website from scratch, or use a do-it-yourself web page generator. Or you can use Google my Business to set up your website. It’s totally free!
Content management systems, such as WordPress or Joomla are very popular. You can start a blog using a blog-publishing service like Blogger, or you can create pages on social media (For example, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram).
Even though there are many options, you don’t need to choose just one. You can use multiple channels at the same time, as long as it aligns with your marketing and brand strategy.
If you already have a website, make sure to keep your content and technology updated. Make sure to add your new products, events, or discount information just as you would in an offline store.
Using Social Media
Social media or messaging apps will allow you to inform your customers of new products or promotions. You can sell your products there or on e-commerce marketplaces.
Being able to customize your website means you can decorate your store in the way that represents your business best. You can also leverage an off-the-shelf content management system. Many are free, and easy to get started
At the same time, make sure your web presence is friendly to search engines so that search engines can understand them and people can find them.
As your business expands, building your own website from scratch can help it grow, even more, reinforce your brand, and lend your business more authority and legitimacy online.
If you don’t have an online presence yet, why not create one! Take your first step to showcase your business online today!
