There are several reasons why small business need a website. A website allows you to establish your business as a professional and credible entity. In today’s digital age, many consumers expect businesses to have a website, and not having one may make your business seem outdated or untrustworthy.
Why a small business need a website?
Many business owners ask, “Since my business is small with fewer employees and we don’t sell anything online, do I still need a website?”
The answer is yes!
If you have a business, you must have a website to avoid losing customers to competitors who already have a website.
Also, are you sure you can’t sell your product online? COVID-19 has changed the retail landscape, with millions of shoppers looking online for everything from books and music videos to homes, gas and more. So, while you were shaking, your competitors may have seen the effectiveness of the site for their business. You definitely don’t want to be left behind. But you might be wondering, “Aren’t you on my Facebook page?”
Do I Need a Website if I Have a Facebook Page?
While having a Facebook page for your business can be a useful marketing tool, it is still important to have a website for several reasons:
A website is your own space:
A website is your own online space that you have complete control over, whereas a Facebook page is subject to the terms and algorithms of the platform.
A website is more professional:
A website can appear more professional and establish credibility for your business, whereas a Facebook page may not have the same level of perceived professionalism.
A website allows for more customization:
With a website, you have more control over the design and layout, allowing you to create a unique and branded experience for your customers. On a Facebook page, you are limited to the options provided by the platform.
A website allows for more functionality:
A website can have additional features and functionality, such as online booking or a shopping cart, that may not be available on a Facebook page.
Overall, while a Facebook page can be a useful complement to a business, it is important to also have a website in order to have a professional online presence and access to additional features and functionality.
Facebook Has SEO Limitations
Take a look at it. Where do you go to find a local business? Which is better, Facebook or Google? The 3.5 billion daily Google queries demonstrate that most people prefer search engines to social networks for information.
A business website enables you to position yourself so that people will find you when they conduct searches for the products or services you offer. Even if you can easily compete with larger websites, you can optimise your site for local searches to attract an audience in your area.
Benefits of a business website
Whether you are a small business or a large corporation, a business website has many benefits for you. Here are the main benefits of having a business website.
1- A business website gives you a professional appearance.
Anyone can create a Facebook business page; It’s free and can be done quickly. This low barrier to entry greatly reduces the credibility of a company’s social media pages. Customers have no idea who is behind the Facebook page, where they are, and whether it’s a scam.
On the other hand, creating a business website is not free and shows that you are serious about your business. Thus, a business website makes you look more professional and trustworthy.
2- It’s a Vital Step in Your Customer’s Journey
An effective website is the place where you want your audience to go after finding you through different channels. It’s like a physical store where potential clients can take action, such as making a purchase.
Even if they don’t buy something the first time they visit, they might come back later. Customers may find your company through social media or other channels and want to visit your website to learn more. If you don’t have a website, they might not continue on their customer journey with your company.
3- It’s Critical for Local Businesses
Many small business owners do not see the value in investing in a good business website. They are, however, currently missing out on a fantastic source of revenue.
The statistics below demonstrate how important a website is for a local business:
- Local intent is present in 46% of Google searches.
- Search is used by 97% of users to locate local businesses.
- After conducting a local search, 28% of users bought something.
- 70% of users will go to a store as a result of what they discovered online.
- A business website will assist you in realising all of this potential and growing your business.
4- Having a website enhances your visibility
There still are over 4.5 billion active internet users worldwide, with mobile devices accounting for more than 90% of them.
Without a website, your company is virtually invisible to these customers. With COVID-19 pushing the global market even more digital, unless you invest in a website, your company will become invisible to those who matter.
5- A website can improve your search engine rankings
Having a business website can improve your search engine rankings, making it easier for customers to find you online. This can be particularly important if your business relies on local customers.
SEO helps to improve the ranking of your website on search engines like Google, making it more visible to potential customers. And it helps to make your website more user-friendly, which can improve the overall experience for visitors and increase the likelihood of them taking action on your site.
6- A business website provides long-term value
One of the best things about investing in a business website is how it continues to provide you with value years after its creation. When you pay for social media ads, your potential customers will only see your ad when you place it. If they don’t see it, you’ll have to pay again to run the campaign.
A business website, on the other hand, gives you a return on investment over time. Even if it doesn’t bear fruit the first year, you’ll have time to adjust until it does.
7- A business website is Cost-effective marketing tool
A website allows you to market your products or services to a larger audience at a lower cost compared to traditional marketing methods.
Many business owners refuse to build a website because they believe it will be difficult and expensive. That is not the case.
There has never been a better or less expensive time to build high-quality websites. There are inexpensive and simple website builders available to you. Creating and hosting a website is simple.
8- A business website lets you sell products and services online
A website provides a platform for you to highlight your products and services, providing detailed information and photos to potential customers.
E-commerce sales are exploding and expected to exceed $5. trillion by 2022. None of these sales are coming from businesses that don’t have a website.
Even if you are not a traditional e-commerce business, your online store can help you attract new customers and maintain sales even when your physical store is closed.
9- A business website Improves customer service
A business website can provide customers with important information about your business, such as your location, hours of operation, and contact information. It can also serve as a platform for customers to ask questions or leave feedback.
10- You Have Complete Control Over Your Website
Because your website is yours, unlike social media platforms, you get maximum design freedom. You can share user comments, videos, photos and anything you want.
You also don’t have to follow the constantly updated rules of social platforms. If your social networks like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are down for a few hours, your website and its content will remain safe.
Tips for improving your business website SEO
Here are some tips for improving the SEO of your business website:
- Research and use relevant keywords: Identify the keywords that potential customers might use to find your products or services, and make sure to include them in your website’s content, page titles, and meta descriptions.
- Optimize your website’s structure and navigation: Make it easy for search engines and users to find their way around your website by organizing your content into logical categories and subcategories, and by using clear and descriptive link text.
- Use header tags appropriately: Header tags (H1, H2, etc.) are used to convey the hierarchy of your content and make it easier for both users and search engines to understand the structure of your website.
- Optimize your images: Use descriptive, keyword-rich file names for your images and make sure to use alt text to describe the images.
- Create high-quality content: Producing high-quality, valuable content will help to attract and retain customers, and it can also help to improve your search engine rankings.
- Use social media to promote your website: Promote your website and your content on social media platforms to drive traffic and improve your search engine rankings.
- Monitor your website’s performance: Use tools like Google Analytics to track your website’s traffic and performance, and make any necessary improvements based on the data you see.
- Make your website mobile-friendly: With the increasing number of searches being done on mobile devices, it’s important to make sure that your website is mobile-friendly and easy to use on small screens.
- Use internal and external links: Linking to other, high-quality websites can help to improve your search engine rankings, as can linking to your own related content within your website.
- Make sure your website is fast and secure: Google prefers websites that load quickly and are secure, so make sure to optimize your website’s loading speed and use a secure connection (https).
Final thoughts
Whether or not you want to create a website for your business is ultimately up to you. However, if part of your business goals are to increase leads, visibility, social proof, and authority, building a website is a good place to start.