Why your business needs a (decent) website

 

24 hour Access

Your website provides your existing and potential clients with a way of finding out about you on their own time. Remember that not everyone is on the same sleep schedule as you. Many people work nights or work from home. Maybe they don’t watch local TV or read the paper where you’re placing your ads. Your best bet at reaching those customers is online through a Google search. If your business has a page, they can take down a phone number or send an email to a contact address. Straight away you are ahead of the competition

By simply having a presence online, your chances of being found by new customers increases indefinitely, much more than it would if you were to hand out a stack of business cards.

 

Reduce Advertising Costs

Instead of paying through the nose for traditional directory services, go with a simpler and smaller advertisement that directs visitors to your website. This way you are still listed on the directories but not paying to have your information there. Your own website can also present more information and in a better format the the directory listings.

 

Make A Positive First Impression

Chances are many of your customers will first learn about your business from visiting your site, which then becomes your first opportunity to make a lasting, positive impression. A site that looks clean and is easy to navigate makes a big difference with consumers while a confusing one will drive them away. Sites with out of date designs and non mobile friendly sites can also reflect poorly on a business.

Even if you’re not selling your good or service online, a webpage will direct readers looking to contact you.  If your site leaves a better impression than your competitor’s site, you have the advantage.

 

Showcase Yourself And Your Message

Your website is a perfect medium to show off your business at it best. A gallery that shows off your handiwork, a list of solutions that you have provided to your clients or even just a clear list of your products and services can fill a visitor to your website with confidence in your business.

Use you website to promote your unique selling proposition. Make it clear why you stand out from the competition.

 

Make it Responsive

Not all customers are sitting at home searching for a business on their laptops. Many are on the go, searching for a product or service on their phone or tablet, and if they can’t find you, then they’ll go to the person they can find: your competitor.

A responsive design (mobile friendly) site allows users to quickly access your information and make contact. Responsive sites are designed to adjust to any screen size, whether it’s a browser, tablet or phone. Prospects won’t miss out on your key business information.

Many businesses like to ask for webpage visitors to sign up for their newsletters or fill out a quick form in order to access certain content, such as an eBook or blog, on their site. Those who are interested in your product or service will go the extra mile for your content and sign up, which means you now have a handful of great leads who need only a bit more convincing.

Using forms on your website is a great way to find out a broad scope of information. By including questions such as ‘How did you hear about us?’ and giving several options, customers can tell you how they found you. Including  the option to select which services customers are interested in helps you ascertain where the market is at.

 

Gain Credibility

Before the Internet, most people combed through the yellow pages when they needed to call a mechanic or accountant. It’s no longer enough to be listed in Google search results. You need a webpage to prove that you’re a credible business.

Having a well presented and organised site gives you instant credibility with customers who are searching for your services online. These are prospects that won’t just go with the first business they find, they will check you out and make an assessment based on your website.  It gives them a sense of your business without ever setting one foot inside your premises.

Without these benefits of having a website, you risk not providing your potential clients with the information they are looking for. The searching customer will probably go with your competitor, who does have a webpage, because he or she feels that the other company is more trustworthy.

 

Build informed clients (and save your staff time)

A well organised website ensures that by the time the potential client calls you, they are already informed about your business, it’s products and services. Not only does this result if more efficient phone interactions for your staff as they don’t have to explain everything, it means that the customer is already partly engaged by the time that they call.

Which is better “Hi, I was wondering of you service ACME tractors? OR “Hi, I see that you service ACME tractors, can I please book mine in next week?”

In the second interaction, the client has already established the fact that the businesses services ACME tractors and the quality of the website has given them confidence to call and book their tractor in. The website actually did most of the sales work.

Make sure that you have a clear purpose for your site. Consider how it can lighten your load and engage clients while leaving you free to develop your business.

Service Process

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