Building a business today comes with a lot of uncertainties. One question you may ask yourself as an entrepreneur is whether creating a business website is a smart business decision. Even established businesses sometimes doubt whether they need a business website especially when free tools like Facebook, Instagram, and Google Business Profile offer visibility too.
While there are reasons to consider skipping investing in a business website, you need to know that a functional website is going to make a big difference for your business.
Do you think you need a website to build a successful business? Let’s find out
Does my business need a website?
That’s a fair question especially when you’re just starting out and trying to make the most of your budget. With how social media is buzzing you might think a website is not a must-have at this point.
You might ask “I’m a small business owner trying to reach local customers, do I really need a website, or can I just stick with social media?”
The answer is YES!
Think about what your business is trying to achieve. If you’re targeting a local market or just starting, you might feel like social media can do the job. Well, it’s true that Instagram and Facebook can sometimes help you connect with potential customers but it’s not enough to get the word out.
A business website adds a layer of professionalism and gives a more unique and comprehensive picture of your business that’s hard to achieve through social media alone.
Plus as your business grows, your website grows with it. You can add new features, sell your products, offer your services or even offer customer support. All of this in one place.
So while social media is great for starting and connecting with people, you need to make the big step; Get a Business Website!!!
Businesses That Do Not Need a Website
One-Person Operations With Limited Capacity: If you’re a solo entrepreneur or freelancer with limited capacity to take on new clients, a website might not be your top priority. If you’re already fully booked through social media or networking, you might choose to wait before investing in a good business website.
Pop-Up or Seasonal Businesses: If your business only operates on a temporary or seasonal basis, maybe like a holiday market vendor, you might not need a full-fledged website. In these cases, social media can be a more cost-effective way to promote your business during your short-term operation.
Small-Scale Creators and Sellers: If you’re a small-scale creator or seller using platforms like Jumia or Konga to sell your products, you might not need a website immediately. These platforms already help you reach customers and sell your items. As your business grows, you can consider building a website later.
Businesses With a Strong Referral Network: If your business thrives on personal referrals and has a loyal customer base that brings in steady work, a website might not be necessary right away. For instance, a local home repair service that gets most of its clients through word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers might not need a website initially.
However, it’s important to note that even in these situations, having a business website can still offer benefits down the line. So, while there are scenarios where a website might not be essential from day one, as your business evolves, you might find that having one becomes a valuable asset.
Decisions to Take Before Choosing a Website
Before you decide on a website for your business, it’s important to first figure out what you want your business to achieve and who would want to buy from you. This will give you a clear idea of what you want your website to do for you. Maybe you want to attract more customers, get more online sales, or simply make your business more visible.
This might seem tricky, but don’t worry, you can check out different types of websites that might work for your business and how to choose the right one
Why having a business website is the best decision for your business.
If you still need convincing, here are the top reasons a business website will be a good business decision.
Customers expect you to have a good website
The majority of your potential customers are tech-savvy and they expect to find information about your business, services, or products online where they often search. Your website can help promote your business 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, generate leads, increase sales, and deliver strong marketing messages for you.
It establishes a business credibility:
Customers tend to trust businesses with a professional online presence more than those without. Having a website is an opportunity to make a great first impression and give people comfort that you’re a real business. Also, there are other businesses offering similar services to yours but one way of standing out is to have a website that clearly communicates quality information to your consumers.
It offers cost-effective marketing
Instead of paying to reach prospects via traditional advertising methods like print media or TV commercials, maintaining a website is relatively cost-effective for a business. It allows your business to reach a larger audience who are already interested in looking for your product or services without the high costs associated with other forms of advertising.
It provides Accessibility and Convenience
A good business website offers accessibility and convenience for both you and your customers. It increases the accessibility of your business by being accessible and available to anyone, anywhere and anytime. Also, customers will appreciate the convenience of learning about your business offers and make purchases at any time through your business website.
It helps your business stay competitive
Market competition is fierce and an online presence is almost mandatory if you want to stay relevant. In addition, many businesses, including your competitors have already established their online presence. By not having a website, you risk falling behind and missing out on potential customers who prefer the convenience of online shopping and information gathering.
Flexibility and Scalability
As your business grows, your website can easily scale to accommodate increased traffic and functionality. You can add new features and content to meet changing customer needs and market trends with ease.
What Your Business Will Lose Without a Website.
If a business does not have a website, it is considered an offline business. Not having a website could lead to your business losing out on many potential customers. It may also take longer for your business to build brand awareness and reach a wider audience with a website. If you’re already doing well without a website, think of how much more you’ll do with a website.
If part of your business goals is to improve lead generation, visibility, credibility, and authority, then creating a website is an excellent place to start. At ClaryLife Global, we understand the importance of having a good business website when starting up and we simplify this process by offering professional web development services tailored to your business needs. Reach out to us today!