Reasons why a website is needed for a business

If you have the business and don't have a website, you are losing out on great opportunities for your business. A website itself can be used to accomplish many different marketing strategies to help your business grow.

As a business owner, you need to know where your consumers are. But what if consumers know your business and what you can offer but can't reach you? That is one of the risks you take by not having a website for your business.

Like many small business owners; you may believe your business cannot benefit from having a website or that a website is not within your budget. Or maybe you think because you don't use a computer, neither do your potential customers. These are misconceptions. These reasons show why your company NEEDS a professional website, irrespective of the size of your business.

Today, more and more consumers use the internet to search for the products or services they need. Your small business will gain credibility by having a website.

Without one, potential customers will go to your competitors that do. If you already have a website but it is "home-made"; having it professionally redesigned will provide your business with a professional image which will inspire greater confidence. For home-based businesses, this is particularly beneficial since you do not have a storefront to promote your products or service.

As a small business owner, you probably think you can't afford a professional website, but you can't afford NOT to. Although the cost of designing a website varies, once it's up and running, a website for small business generally cost under $100 a month and in some cases, as little as $20. Compared to the expense of a newspaper ad, when you consider the potential market you can reach with a website, it is a very cost-effective way to promote your business.

Think of your website as being your online brochure or catalog. It is much easier and quicker to update information about your products and services on your website than in print material, making it an effective way of letting your customers know about the arrival of new products, upcoming events, special promotions, or any new services you now offer. Unlike print ads which quickly become outdated, your website can provide current information and news.

A website is available to both your regular and potential customers 24/7/365 providing them with the convenience of reviewing your products and services when your store or office is closed. With today's busy lifestyles, this is a great selling point when making a purchase decision.

Whether you provide products or services, your website will provide an alternative location to sell them. As a retailer, a website (eCommerce) is a great place to sell your products, to a wider market; even services can be made available globally.

No matter what type of business you are in, a website is a great place to showcase your work. By including a portfolio or picture gallery, as well as testimonials concerning your work, you can demonstrate what makes your business stand out.

Providing information to your customers takes time, whether it is on the phone, face to face, in a brochure, or in emails. With an online catalog, you can provide lots of information about your products and services. Once your website is up and running, it is available to your customers indefinitely, saving you time. And knowing fully that time is money!

Maybe you sell environmentally friendly products and would like to share tips on how to recycle, or perhaps you are an accountant of a company and want to to give your clients advice on how to simplify their bookkeeping practices. By including a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page, adding articles or uploading newsletters to answer all your customers' questions you can keep them up to date. What better way to provide them with value-added services than by sharing information on your website?

More than 2.4 billion people use the internet day by day and 90% of those people have purchased certain products and services.

No matter what type of business you are in, a website is a great place to showcase your work. By including a portfolio or picture gallery, as well as testimonials concerning your work, you can demonstrate what makes your business stand out.