5 More Reasons Your Small Business Needs A Website

Just in case you missed them, you can read the first 5 reasons here: 5 Reasons Your Small Business Needs A Website

1. Instant response to customer’s questions and suggestions. How often do you find yourself answering the same questions over and over again? Do you find yourself giving directions to your store several times a day? How often do you tell callers your business hours? How much time do you think you could save every day by having a list of common questions about your products or services available for customers to peruse at their leisure? I’m willing to bet it’s several hours every week. It is increasingly common for consumers to hit the web first for answers. Many customers go out of their way to avoid having to call a company and navigate a complicated automated phone system to get the information they are seeking. You can also use your website as a way to communicate directly with your customers about ways to improve your products or services. You can run a poll or online survey to gauge your company’s performance, all from your website.
2. Promotional opportunities/coupons. Do you frequently add products or services in your business? How do you let your customers know about the availability of these new products and services? You could take out an expensive newspaper or radio advertisement. You could pay to print new signs and create promotional displays for your shelves. Or for a mere fraction of the cost, you could simply add a new page to your website with an eye catching banner and article explaining the benefits of the new product. You can also create a coupon online to generate interest in the new service and drive traffic into your brick and mortar store.
3. Viral/Word of mouth marketing. Everyone knows that word of mouth advertising is the most effective and important part of any small business. Friends and family make purchases based on the recommendation of other friends and family. Having your own website allows people to create living links to your site along with their personal endorsement of your business. It’s the equivalent of a person handing a potential customer an order form for your products and services. Best of all, you get to control exactly what the new customers see when they click through to your site.
4. Publish Customer Testimonials. Having a website makes it easy to collect and publish customer’s testimonials for new and potential customers to read. Testimonials are a good way to inspire customer confidence.
5. Because not having one is costing you business. Personally I find myself at the point where I now actually avoid doing business with companies that don’t have websites. I have become addicted to the ease of having my questions answered at any time day or night, of being able to quickly find directions and prices before I even leave the house. I never use a phone book anymore. I type what I’m looking for into Google or Yahoo Search and use the results to make my shopping decisions. If your business doesn’t appear, you’re losing money.

Do you need help setting up a website for your small business? Feel free to contact me for advice, hints, tips, or to hire me to do a custom setup for you.