As a small business owner, you are probably tired of being told the many dos and don’ts that should guide your business. While we admit that it gets tiring at some point, we also know you desire to see results for your efforts and this is why we will reecho what you’ve probably heard before – you need a website. The question now is, WHY? 

With about 200 million active websites on the internet today, why should yours make any difference to the average internet user? Many small businesses tend to focus on necessities and urgent matters to get sales moving and creating a website could seem like a luxury item, too heavy to add to the list. While this is valid, you could also be losing out on a whole lot by not owning a website. A website allows you to showcase your venture most professionally and is a fundamental tool your company should have. 

In this post, we will highlight key reasons why you should consider owning a small business website today. 

It Builds Credibility

One of the best ways to build credibility for your brand is by establishing an irrefutable online presence and a website is a great way to do that. Compared to other online platforms, a website gives room for flexibility to design your online space the way you want it and make your users trust you even more. A website can be the seal of legitimacy on your business to many people, as it shows how credible your brand is. 

There are other brands out there likely offering similar services as your brand and the only way to be unique is by putting your best foot forward. This includes owning a website that stands out among others and you could have a better chance at attracting your target audience.

Increases Your Chances of Getting Leads

Your website is another door to let potential customers in and this is one of the most intriguing reasons every business should own a website. With the increasing number of Google searches daily, HubSpot recently reported that 72% of consumers that did a local search visited a store within five miles. You have a chance to be seen by more people interested in your business by simply owning a website. Even though there’s a cost attached to owning and running one, it can have a positive ROI if you put in the work.

It Helps with Organic Traffic

Did you know that “Near me” or “close by” type searches grew by more than 900% over two years? As a small business owner, you will have to optimize your business for local searches, so people around you can find you. Owning a website makes this easier, as it gives you a presence on the world wide web and makes it easier for prospective customers to find you. On the other hand, not owning a website will give your competitors an edge over you, as you won’t be able to take advantage of the organic traffic from Google searches.

You Need it for Digital Marketing

To make the most of your business, you need digital marketing and you can start and end with your website. To effectively drive traffic to your website or landing page, you need to target the most qualified customers that will give you a guaranteed ROI. The best way to go about this is by tracking your existing website data and analyzing the online customer journey. Your website can then serve as an anchor for your marketing efforts.

It Promotes and Sells Your Products or Services

Your website can serve as your portfolio or online brochure that shows everything your business offers in one space. You can easily update your offers and have them go live within minutes and as long as your website is live, anyone anywhere can visit it to make a purchase, even while you’re asleep. The website can include an eCommerce store, online booking calendar, portfolio, blog, and lead generation functions like an email list to further promote and sell your products or services.

Customer Service

There are many questions potential clients will have about your brand that can be answered ahead of time with your website. This can improve customer service, as they don’t always have to place a call to make a purchase when all the details they need are readily available on the website. Having a well-optimized website is one of the customer retention practices for a small business. This not only helps you save time and reach more customers but also helps you retain them.

How to Create a Website for a Small Business

Now that you understand how owning a website can benefit your small business, what next? Anyone can own a website today and there are, in fact, over 1.5 billion websites with only 200 million active today. However, beyond joining the masses to create a website, you need one that would stand out amongst others.

Key things to help you get started:

• Do your research on your industry and existing competitors in your field.
• Find a good domain name that aligns with your brand.
• Purchase secure and scalable website hosting.
• Use a competent content management system(CMS) like WordPress.
• Choose a good eCommerce platform to integrate with your website. 
• Get the best hands on deck to work on your website design and development and content. 
• Optimize your website for search engines.
• Implement a website maintenance plan.

While all these and more are guaranteed to help you move forward in your business, you can’t do it all alone. This is why it is best advised to get professionals in the field to provide an excellent service that leaves you wanting more. Building a website is a form of investment in your business and if done correctly, with the best hands and tools involved, you will get a great ROI over time.

Where do we come in?

At Charisol, we believe every business has a chance to prove themselves to their customers and that won’t be possible without being deliberate about their website. We will work hand in hand with you to ensure you bring your dream website to reality, from the website design to the development and to the perfect content strategy to help you ace your competitors. 

The first step to standing out is making the right decision. As you consider building a website for your small business, you should also consider getting the best people on board to work with you.

Let’s HELP you build your next Product or Project: GET STARTED WITH US

We are Charisol, a software development agency with a community of talented software developers that leverage the “work without walls” culture to provide solutions for clients around the world. Our services span Software designing, App development, Digital Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Content Writing & Marketing, and Search Engine Optimisation. Follow us on Medium or on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)