Ever since the internet became readily available to everyone, having a well developed website with an aesthetically pleasing design has become a necessity for businesses. In this digital age, the only way to reach out to consumers is to connect with them where they are, which is online.
While social media platforms can help businesses interact with their target audience, a business’s website has a wide range of customer reach. Google alone processes over 3.5 billion searches per day, and in a year, that would be 1.2 trillion searches. If you include the rest of the search engines, more people will be able to come across your products or services when they search for something related to your niche.
Keep reading to learn more about the importance of a website for small businesses. Listed below are the explanations of the reasons.
7 Reasons Every Small Business Needs A Website
1. Customers Expect Businesses To Have A Website
When someone wants to know about something, they will search for it online on search engines such as Google. Think With Google mentioned that 53% of consumers nowadays perform research before purchasing.
That could be the same for your target audience. With a website, your business is more searchable on the internet. In addition, having an established website also enhances the credibility of your business. Without digital presence, your potential customers will not be able to know more about your business or they might think that your business is no longer operating. If your competitors have more online presence through website and social media, your potential customer will likely choose your competitors’ instead.
2. Enhance The Reputation Of Your Business
Even though social media has helped many brands make their products or services discoverable, consumers are becoming smarter with their online purchases. SurveyMonkey has found out that 26% of consumers do not trust businesses without a website.
If you are one of those businesses without a website, your target audience might be sceptical about what you offer in your social media marketing campaign. Assure them about your business by investing in website development.
3. Expand Your Reach Beyond Your Physical Location
Apart from the consumers near your business location, potential customers from other geographic locations will most likely look for the products or services you offer.
The only way to reach out to them is to go digital and have a website. If website creation is done right, you can interact, connect, communicate and nudge target audiences from the other side of the world,
4. Become A Trusted Expert
A business’s website is not just a storefront but also a source of information. Since consumers today often conduct research before making a purchase, your views and opinion about a product or service can help them make an informed decision.
However, you can only do this if you have a website with a blog page where you can share various information about your business. Your content should also be optimised for search engine optimisation (SEO) allowing the page to appear more on search engine results pages.
ALSO READ: The Importance Of Blogging For An E-commerce Website
5. 24/7 Operating Business
Having a website can help businesses promote their products or services 24/7. Instead of giving out flyers to passersby, you can utilise digital marketing strategies such as search engine optimisation (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) to enhance the visibility of your products or services to your customers throughout the day, every day.
Even after working hours at your brick and mortar store, anyone can still access your website and browse through your products or services. Potential customers can make a purchase or submit an inquiry or connect with the business any time of the day across the globe.
6. Provides Self Service Customer Support
Another cost-effective reason small businesses should have a website is that you do not have to hire several employees to assist with customer enquiries. You can create a Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs) page to provide answers to commonly asked questions such as shipping information, business operating hours etc.
Including chatbots and virtual assistants on your website will also enhance the efficiency of your business operations and user experience of your customers. Your customers will be able to have an immediate response whenever they chat with the chatbots or seek help from virtual assistants.
LEARN MORE: The Future Is Chatbot: How Business Can Use AI In Customer Service
7. Gain A Competitive Advantage
Despite the world’s technological advancements, 28% of small businesses still do not have a website. Those who belong to this category are losing the opportunity to reach more customers and make more sales.
In order to not lose out capturing the large pool of potential customers online to your competitors, invest in building a high-quality website. Promoting your products or services online enhances visibility while connecting and communicating with your target audience online promotes interaction.
ALSO READ: How To Design A Quality Website For Your Business?
Need Help Building A Website For Your Small Business?
Get professional help so they can build a website for your small business. If you are a Small Medium Enterprise (SME), you can explore engaging with a pre-approved Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) vendor who provides website design and development solutions. Eligible SMEs can apply for the PSG grant for e-commerce website development to claim up to 50% funding support.
Contact OOm at +65 6391 0930 or leave a message on our website if you are interested in our website design services in Singapore.
