Why Websites are a Must for Small Businesses

In late 2014, a survey of small businesses had some surprising results: only 66 percent of small business owners said they had a website for their company. When asked why they had not yet established a web presence, these business owners often said their business is mostly advertised via “word of mouth.”

It’s true that referrals are perhaps the most powerful source of advertising. However, in today’s ever-connected digital world, it’s a big mistake to not have any sort of website or online presence. Here are a few reasons:

• Customers are searching for businesses online.

  Nobody uses the white pages any more. Today, customers are looking for businesses on the Internet, which means if you don’t have a website, you’re missing out on the biggest source of customer discovery. A significant number of these searches are being conducted via mobile devices, which are now owned by more than 90 percent of American adults. People are searching for businesses at all times of the day from anywhere with an internet connection. That’s something you want to take advantage of.

• Having a website boosts your credibility.

  If you were to tell a customer you don’t have a website, they’d probably think you were kidding. A lack of a website could damage the credibility of your business in the eyes of people who aren’t familiar with who you are and what you do. 

• Referrals and connections are made online.

  Websites allow visitors to easily learn about your company, contact you, sign up for newsletters, download coupons, follow your company on social media networks and easily share your website with other people. You can also get more reviews online — word of mouth advertising doesn’t necessarily have to be done in person!

Fortunately, it’s easier than ever for businesses to get a high-quality website at a reasonable cost. Even if you are completely baffled as to where to begin, you can speak with a professional web developer about your online goals, what sort of functionality you’d like to have in your site and what sort of appearance you’re looking for. Based on this information, a developer can give you a high-quality site tailored to your preferences.

For more information about developing a website for your small business, contact our team at IDMI.Net today. We have a significant amount of experience in helping small business owners get online and find new business opportunities.