Consumer behavior has evolved throughout time to adapt to the digital era’s developing technology. With the introduction of the World Wide Web, for example, the hefty yellow pages that were formerly popular have been supplanted by online directories.
The amount of individuals who use the internet to discover businesses has exploded in recent years, and the yellow pages have practically vanished.
In 2017, 97 percent of individuals looked for a local business on the internet. As a result, if you want to expand your business by reaching the correct audience, you must be found online – which means you must have a website. However, the common question “why do I need a website?” is still asked frequently.
This article discusses the top eight reasons why your business needs a website in 2022, regardless of the industry.
Top 10 Reasons your Business Needs a Website
Without further ado, let’s get into the reason why your business needs a website:
1. Your Business Door Won’t Close Again
Whether in times of crisis or when everything is working normally, owning a website allows your business to never close its doors.
On the other hand, customers can show up at any time, and they don’t care about your bed or how comfortable it is.
Having a website means making your business available and functional for everyone, anytime and anywhere.
You can sleep and already forget the traditional 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Creating a website for your business allows it to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without worrying about anything.
2. Take Ownership of Your Media
If you own an SME or VSE-type business, you likely carry out your activities in a fairly specific catchment area. Thus, the proper functioning of your business depends on the satisfaction you bring to your customers so that they become ambassadors of your business through the famous “word of mouth”.
We often hear the following words from artisans or merchants: “I don’t have time for the internet, I have many requests, a site won’t help me, I already have word of mouth. … “. And they’re right, but that’s without taking into account the ever-increasing risk that one of your competitors will implement a marketing action plan with your target based on a strong digital strategy. The day that happens, a strategy based solely on “word of mouth” risks dooming you and your business…
In this sense, providing your business with a website is a guarantee that your activity remains sustainable even if your environment changes.
In addition, with “word of mouth”, you will never be safe from negative reviews and you do not manage the flood of quote requests or rumors. On the other hand, having a website and being present on the internet allows you to manage your e-reputation from A to Z and to deal effectively with negative reviews.
Keep in mind that a satisfied customer usually says it to three people around him, while a dissatisfied customer says it to more than 9 people around him on average. Word of mouth might not be such a great technique after all.
With your website, you will be able to set up economical, more dynamic advertising messages, the effectiveness of which you will be able to measure in real-time thanks to the statistics that your site produces.
3. Get Your Sales Off The Ground
Having a website means being accessible on search engines. But what is it, then? Well, it’s none other than the biggest pool of customers in the world (besides being full of other cool stuff). Your clientele is therefore no longer limited to people from your city or region.
It is constantly growing because people are constantly browsing the web. Today there are 60 million active Internet users, each of whom spends an average of 6 hours a day on the web in France alone.
In addition, it is now easier to advertise yourself to increase your visibility. Thanks to the various social networks, SEO, or web-references, you can increase the traffic on your website exponentially and very simply.
4. Rapid Returns on Investment
With a good marketing strategy, in addition, you will quickly see the benefits of a website on the profits generated by your business.
First, your printing expenses will be reduced. Having a website means you can post as much content as you want without costing you a penny.
Second, your customer service will be vastly improved.
Third, you will see an increase in your sales in the months following the installation of your website.
Finally, your business will gain more notoriety thanks to your website, which will play the role of a real advertising medium for you. We refer you this time to point number 2 of this top.
5. Stand Out From The Competition
Recent studies show that consumers typically begin their buying journey by doing research on the internet or through recommendations from their friends on Facebook.
Having a website allows you not to let your customers slip away from the competition but also to differentiate yourself from them. In particular, you can highlight your products and services, as well as all the elements that make you unique.
Your website must reflect the identity of your company, its image but also its graphic charter. Highlight what sets you apart from the competition in your industry.
The most important thing is not to make a pretty sight, the design remains important of course, but the loading speed, the display on mobile, and the quality of the content that you offer are even more so.
6. Offer Customers The Best
By setting up a website, you can automate certain tasks such as automatic responses to frequent questions that you are asked, this increases your responsiveness and we know that this is a key factor in increasing the satisfaction of your clients.
You can, in the same perspective, set up a forum or FAQs, accessible in an instant, on which your customers can discuss, learn and fully appreciate your offer.
Also, the comments and ratings that your customers can leave you through the dedicated space on your site will further increase the quality of the relationship you have with them.
Finally, having a website gives you access to real-time statistics, feedback from your customers, and permanent feedback that allows you to adjust your offer as best you can to increase your sales and increase customer satisfaction.
7. Increase Credibility/Trust
In the same idea as the previous point, having a website allows you to increase your credibility and the trust that your customers place in you.
Reassurance elements such as comments, notes, or discussion spaces (forums, FAQs) are among the levers that can trigger a sale.
By highlighting the satisfaction of your customers through testimonials or opinions, you demonstrate your expertise and add confidence in the relationship that your business has with your customers.
In addition, having a website reinforces the brand image that you want to convey to your customers. Thanks to your website, you strengthen your credibility by implementing your communication strategy and you develop your visual identity at the same time.
If you do it right, the visitor to your website will be able to get an idea of your image and the level of quality of your products or services in a few clicks.
8. Highlight Your Products
Thanks to your new toy, you will be able to showcase your products or services as it would be impossible to do at a physical point of sale.
Well-kept photos, presentation videos, short stories, and articles will be your allies during the adventure of your business on the web.
You can also include short explanatory videos as well as downloadable instructions in the format of your choice to better convince customers who are still hesitant.
Conclusion
If the previous arguments were all oriented toward the economic and marketing aspect of having a website. I wanted to introduce you to a more human one that concerns YOU more personally.
Choosing to immerse yourself in the world of the web for your business is a deeply rewarding human adventure.
You will discover new tools, meet new people, and have new topics of conversation with your friends and loved ones. You will broaden your perspective on how to run a business, connect with people you seek to bring value to, and maybe even change your outlook on the world, who knows?
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Finally, by choosing the right partner for your digital transition, you choose the support that suits you best, and the advice that is directly adapted to you. Better yet, you will develop something that we all greatly appreciate: the feeling of having your business discovered behind scenes.
