The internet is a powerful tool that can help your small business grow. A website is often the first thing customers will see when they do a search for your products or services. It’s also where they’ll go to learn more about you, check out your prices, and even make purchases. And while it may seem like it’s an expensive investment , it doesn’t have to be, but more on that later. Creating a professional and accurate web presence is key to the success of your small business—especially in today’s digital world.
Customers expect you to be online.
It’s not enough to be in business. Customers expect you to be online, too.
According to the Hootsuite’s Digital 2022 Statshot report, of the 8 Billion people worldwide, 5.7 Billion actively use the internet, that is 71% of the total population of the world. In Canada alone 97% of the population uses the internet, slightly ahead of our neighbours to the South which clock in at 92% of the population actively using the internet. That works out to 311.6 million Americans and 37.1 million Canadians actively searching for businesses that can solve their problems and sell them the things they need and love.
In the same study we see that 4.7 Billion people use Social Media worldwide, that is 58% of the population. Of Canadians total time spent on the internet only 29.9% of that is spent with Social Media, while Americans spend 30.7% of their time on Social So now that we have nerded out with some stats, let’s take a closer look at what that means.
If you are wondering what they are spending the rest of their internet time on…well probably a little on unmentionables, but the rest of it is learning about things they care about and searching for businesses just like yours.
Pro tip for 2023, Social Media alone just won’t cut it any longer, if you want to stay on top you need a dedicated website. It is your digital store front, think of it this way, would you rather have a pedicure out of the back of a white cargo van in a parking lot, or a beautiful, relaxing room. Pros and Cons to both but if I was a betting woman I would say the majority would go with the room!
Your website can boost your credibility.
A website shows that you are a professional. It shows that you are serious about your business and can be trusted to provide good products or services to your customers. A website is also a great way to get feedback from customers and communicate with them in real time, which is essential for providing excellent customer service. Additionally, many websites have features such as email signup forms for newsletters and social media sharing buttons so people can share your content on their own websites or social media pages, which brings more traffic back to yours!
It’s a fact: most people shop or do business research online now when they need something new—it’s easier and more convenient than going into stores.
Your website can help you reach new customers.
A website is a great way to let potential customers know about your business, but it can also help you reach new customers. How? By using the Internet as a marketing tool.
If you want to market your business in person, websites are a great way to get people interested in what you sell before they even meet you. If someone sees an ad for your products online or on social media, they may be more likely to contact you than if they saw an ad on TV or in a magazine. Plus, with the Internet being so readily available these days whether through smartphones or computers, there’s no reason why anyone should be left out of the conversation!
Your website creates an income opportunity for your business.
Before you get started, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with the terms we’ll be using. Think of a website as your online storefront. It’s like that fancy brick-and-mortar store you’ve always dreamed of opening—except it’s open 24/7 and doesn’t require any rent!
Once your website is up and running, you can use it to sell products or services by offering special deals on your site itself. Or, if you prefer not to sell anything directly through your website, you can use it as an online lead generation tool that helps build awareness for the services or products that are available elsewhere in the real world like your actual storefront or at their very own homes, depending on your industry.
A website can help you compete with the big guys.
Your website can help you compete with the big guys. If your business is small, chances are that you’re working on a budget and don’t have the capital to spend on Super Bowl advertising campaigns.
A well-designed website can be an effective way to communicate with potential customers without having to spend thousands of dollars on advertising. A good website with great search engine optimization will help them find information about your products and services quickly and easily.
You need a place to showcase your products or services.
You need a place to showcase your products or services. Your website is the best way to put your goods in the spotlight, highlighting key features and benefits that will help you stand out from competitors. It’s also a great place to show off how awesome your company is: its personality, history and values.
It’s also important not just to tell people what you do but show them. This can be done through blogs and videos, which are more engaging than static text-based content like eBooks, or articles like this one.
Your website is always open for business.
You’ll be able to reach people when they are looking for you. If they are looking at 3am, your open, 5am on a Sunday, yep, your open.
Creating a professional and accurate web presence is key to the success of your small business.
Creating a professional and accurate web presence is key to the success of your small business. A website can help you grow your customer base, showcase your products or services in an engaging way, and provide valuable information about who you are and what you do.
So, why do you need a website? A website is an asset that will help your business grow and thrive. Without one, you’re missing out on an opportunity to reach new customers, make more sales and expand your reach beyond where it is currently.
If you would like a little helping building your online storefront, check out our website offers here. We create beautiful high converting designs and have several budget friendly options for those that can’t afford the $5,000-$30,000 price tag. Learn more about our Small Business Websites Here!
