“Why do I need a website? I’m already busy and my customers come to me by word of mouth”.
“Word of mouth” was only good for past era where computer and internet were underdeveloped, complicated and unpopular.
The market changed drastically nowadays especially online activities. Last year, 97 percent of consumers go online to find business. And almost 40 percent of consumers will stop engaging with the website if the content and layout are unattractive.
Your customers (current and potential ones) are free like birds now, so they can easily be distracted by your competitors. To retain and obtain more customers, you will need to do whatever it takes to generate more new leads to your business and retain the existing ones. Therefore, a professionally designed, leads- and sales-generating website is crucial to enhance your competitive edge.
#1: Credibility
Simply put, research has found 60% of people expect a business have some kind of online content and 30% of consumers won’t consider a business without a website. Your website is your number one marketing asset and your first impression. Because we live in a digital age, people search you online before going to your place. Consumers expect companies to have an online presence especially a website. Potential customers would likely trust less on any business that doesn’t have a phone number or an actual address. They also consider the business that doesn’t have a website as less professional.
#2: Accessibility 24/7
Believe it or not, there are over 3 billion searches on Google per day! With the convenience of digital access, it means your customers want to find your business information anywhere and anytime. Having a website and other online presence, your customer can comfortably search you online at home without having any pressure to purchase and they can make preliminary decision on their purchase. If you don’t have a website, you will most likely lose your business to your competitors who has an online presence.
#3: Information Transfer
People are busy so they are less patient. Your customers want you to answer their basic questions quickly. They visit your website when they want to know something or do something, immediately, so your website should answer some basic questions like who you are, what you do, and how they can contact you instantly.
You can also capture your clients information by encouraging them to register on your website for newsletters and promo.
#4: Globalization
Your business might be located in one place or multiple places, but your name and products can be announced worldwide. The best way to break through geographic boundaries is to offer online accessibility. As your site is accessible to anyone all over the world, the ability to break through geographical barriers has never been easier. Anyone, from any country, will be able to find your company and as such, is now a potential customer.
#5: Customer Service
Negative customer experience can be harmful for your business. It’s often due to miscommunications and misunderstandings. Having a proper website helps you provide answers to the questions about some common confusions: such as return and refund policies, steps and procedures, preparations, and more.
It also allows you to show off positive comments from your clients by putting the comments in the testimonial section on your website.
#6: Cut Costs
Your website serves more than just displaying information. You can “call-to-action” by selling your products and services directly online to save labor and other processing cost associated to this transaction.
People can also register, book appointment, and pay beforehand so that they can save time on waiting in the line for registration.
It also helps eliminate some costs such as paper forms and time spent on registration and bookings and etc,
You can also use the website for staff access and share information internally in a timely manner.
Indeed, TIME is MONEY.
#7: Consumer Insights and Advertising
When you have a website, data can be measured more precisely so you can make better decision accordingly. There are many analytic tools that allow you to find out who your typical customers are, how they found you, what they are mostly interested in through browsing your site. With the tangible data performance, you can easily adjust your social media settings, and launch some more target-based advertising. Once you are able to analyze the traffic data, SEO and online advertising can help further to build up awareness, traffic to your business, and more potential revenue.
Therefore, you should always have a website because the price of having a website is much lower than the price of losing to your competitors.