Do I Need a Website?
Your web site can be viewed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by anyone, anywhere in the World.
With more and more people using the internet as their main method of researching and obtaining goods and services, this is a potential market you can't afford to ignore. In fact, many people obtain nearly all of the goods and services they need almost exclusively from the internet. This means that if you don't have a web site, you are losing business to those forward thinking companies that do.
For most small businesses, a Web site is rapidly becoming a staple requirement of a marketing plan.
One of the great things about the internet is that it has leveled the playing field when it comes to competing with big business. You have one shot at making a good first impression. With a well-designed site, your little 1 person business can project the same image and professionalism of a much larger company.
A website can be many things. In its most basic form it could be a single page advertisement, similar to one you would print in a newspaper or magazine, except that it would be available all day every day and it would be searchable.
A more useful website would consist of a few pages describing your business / organisation and informing potential customers of the products or services you offer. This can be coupled with contact information and a direct e-mail link so that your customers can easily request more information should they need it.
More complex sites can contain an unlimited amount of additional information, can have complete online catalogues of the products you offer and even allow customers to order and purchase and pay for products from your website.
A well designed website brings customers to you and brings you closer to your customers, opening up new opportunities for your business and providing your customers with the service they deserve. It is an ideal way of enhancing the service you provide.
I've been told that I should get a website...
I've heard many small-business owners say they think they "should" get a Web site, or they have been thinking about it... they're not quite sure why they need one, but they've been told they should have one.
In most cases, what they've been told is correct, they do need a website. A website can be an important & cost effective marketing tool for almost every small and large business. There are really very few businesses who would not benefit in some way from a website.
I donut think my customers will use a website
The assumption that your customers probably don't use the internet is getting a much harder assumption to make, seeing as over 7 million people are connected to the internet in Australia alone. Over 70% of Australian Dwellings have access to the internet. Almost a quarter of the worlds current population is online.
There's no question that a Web site is more critical for some businesses than others.
But local businesses (dry cleaners, plumbers, or shoe repair shops, for example) also can benefit from a Web site that shows their location, lists their key services, products & prices, or offers special promotions.
And to those who think they don't need a Website because they serve other businesses rather than retail consumers. Many businesses search for new suppliers online, and order from them online too.
One Exception: When a website can be bad for business
Here's the exception to my rule: It's actually better to have no website at all than to have one that makes your business look bad. Your site speaks volumes about your business. It either says, "Our customers mean so much to us that we have created this wonderful site for our you!" or it screams, "I let my 10-year-old daughter design my website. Good luck finding anything!"
It's not enough that you just have a website. You must have a professional-looking site if you want to be taken seriously. Since many consumers now search for information online prior to making a purchase at a brick-and-mortar store, your site may be the first chance you have at making a good impression on a potential buyer. If your site looks like it was designed by a 10 year old or if it looks like a DIY project gone wrong, your chance at making a good first impression will be lost. If you are unsure whether your website is inviting to your visitors then a good measure is comparing it to your competitors website.
Case Study One
The very busy owner of a handyman business — he's fully booked for the next three months — he's not interested expanding his business in any way. He just wants enough work to earn a good living, and he has plenty of work. His business grows by word-of-mouth. Customers don't need to find his office; he works at their homes.
A website would benefit this business by providing a reference point for customers & potential customers where they could see the services he offers and his rates & hours rather than having to call him. This could decrease the amount of time he wastes on the phone answering the same questions again and again...and increase the amount of time he could spend doing actual work. The other thing a business like this could implement is an online booking system.
Case Study Two
My business has as many customers as we can possibly handle and we have no desire to expand any further, how can a website help my business?
A website can help your business in ways you probably donut even realise
-Reducing the number of incoming phone calls & the length of those phone calls by giving people a place where they can answer their questions and find out exactly what your business sells or the services you offer - if this was the only benefit your business received then it would probably be money well spent when you think about how much time you spend answering the same questions over again, looking up product details and relaying them out to customers, or listing your opening hours etc etc etc.
-Many of these phone calls will come in the form of emails which are great because you can answer them whenever you have a spare moment - rather than when you have a long line of customers!
-Provides a place for you to show case your products - or even just your key products
-You can implement a system which allows customers to buy their items through your website which will reduce the lines in your shop...and increasing your level of customer service.
-Your website will also provide you with a place to advertise any sales or promotions you have running