One of the first questions that I often hear my new clients ask is, “Do I really need a website to go with my business from its very beginning?”
My answer to this is always a resounding YES!
Years ago, a business could not even begin to think about opening its doors without having a full-color brochure, a portfolio and Yellow Pages listing.
In today’s technology-based world, a website – even a basic one – serves these very same functions.
It is an outline of your company’s skills, a point of contact, and a resume in progress.
Yep, the quality of your website and its content will speak volumes to potential clients even before they have decided to contact you for more information.
Today, I want to share with you 4 of the best reasons why you should have a quality website for your business from its birth:
1. A good website generates clients
When your website is professionally created (this translates into “easy to understand” and “easy to locate information on”), not only are you best serving your potential clients (many of whom will make their decision to do business with you -or not- based on their impression of your site), but you are also generating potential for word-of-mouth referrals.
Let’s say John stumbles upon your website and he says, ‘Wow! Too bad I don’t need these services now, because this business seems top notch!’. Then Mike, John’s friend, finds himself in need of your services, but is unaware that your company even exists.
So John (our dear fellow) tells Mike, ‘Oh, I know this company, they have THE greatest website and they offer exactly what you are asking for! I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to help you. Here’s their website address: […]”
Do you get how this works? Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy!
2. A professional website works for you while you sleep
We’re not here to debate over whether or not it’s a good thing that people expect 24h support. Customers expect your website to run on a round-the-clock schedule; it’s a fact, and my mission is to help you make this happen.
Through a business website you can offer this invaluable service to your potential consumers alongside a vast database of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S), informational articles or papers relating to your company’s subject matter.
I know you’re a smart person, so I am also going to tell you that by accepting payments over the internet, you are opening yourself up to a far broader audience. How would you like that?
And the best thing is yet to come: You’ll also take 50% of the workload off your shoulders since the website will never get tired of recording orders.
Even more, your website continues to work while you are asleep or away attending other matters.
3. It’s all about exposure, babe
For the small business owner, a well-designed website is their first tool of the trade. It allows customers to interact with companies through various avenues, and, my dear, a blog is just a humble beginning, with Facebook and other social media now being the rulers of the online empire.
Your blog, together with all your social media accounts, allows you to post your current and upcoming specials.
If your company is sponsoring an event or if you’re interested in participating in an event… your website can ( and should) be your voice for it.
If you have a discount, new products in stock, and so on, your website can let people know about all the novelties happening in your company.
Think about it this way: major firms have their fancy catalogs, full-color brochures and call centers stuffed with underpaid, bored employees.
You can have your website, a business card and your own assets – which are enough for you to start your business adventure to success.
Which of the two scenarios do you choose?
Small businesses which constantly update their web pages and stay in touch with their customers through social media are the ones recording a high rate of success.
YOU can be that business!
With your website in your pocket, all you’ll have to do is make sure your company moves forward, way forward.
If it was a website which helped you make the first step, now it’s your website helping you make the next move, showing you how to be way ahead of your competition.
In which of these two categories do you want to be? I will make a wild guess and say: Online. Because…
4. Your Competition Is Already Online!
So you think you have zero online competition, huh? Wrong.
There is no such thing as a company without a competitor who’s already thriving on the world wide Web.
I’m just saying, you know… It’s just another reason why you must launch a website as soon as you launched your business, you know…
Look, to be honest, the longer you wait, the more leads you are giving away to your competition. On a silver plate. And they will not refuse your offer… they will attract clients who might have been yours if you had an online website.
No matter if you are a large business or a one-man show, if you’ve been in business for one year or for ten years, not having a quality website for your potential clients to come and browse on means losing out on potential business.
And losing out on potential business is even worse than losing established customers, because potential has the unique factor of being unrestrained.
Extra Tip for you: That one potential client that you lost could have been the client that spent so much on your services that you could retire if you wanted to. What do you say about that?
If you want help with this, check out the website creation services I offer and choose the one that suits you best. If you don’t know what you want, give me a shout out and I’ll come in to help you.
Now it’s your turn!
Does your business already have a website? At what point in your business did you create it?
Does it bring you customers on a regular basis? What are the things that you think you could improve on your website to help you increase the number of your clients?
You’ll find me in the comments section below, reading and loving your thoughts!
Blessings,
Florentina