Ten Reasons For Having A Website

These days, there’s not a lot of businesses questioning the reasons for having a website. That’s great for this industry—if we don’t have to convince anyone, web development service pretty much sells itself. However, even if having a website is accepted as status quo, we still want our customers (or even our competitor’s customers) to understand these fundamentals. There’s also the disgruntled businesses that know the reasons but don’t get results because their site wasn’t done the right way. So here are the top ten reasons having a website is a good idea.

Convenience

Your customers want what they want: your information, services, and/or products. But let’s face it, they aren’t willing to exert a great deal of effort to get it, and they shouldn’t have to. Having a website makes it convenient for them to get what they want, and with the least amount of work. It’s also convenient for you—you have your own plot of real estate on the web maintain and grow as you see fit.

Credibility

Like a business card, certifications, associations, etc., a website lends a great deal of credibility to your business. It means you take it seriously, and are willing to give customers (or potential customers) options, which they appreciate. Businesses without a website are seen as dinosaurs, or unwilling to adapt to the modern consumer. Technology changes rapidly, and those businesses that embrace the change will thrive.

24 / 7 / 365

Whether it’s 4am, 6pm or midnight, your website stands ready to welcome your visitors and sell for you. Sure, you could have a phone line open at all hours of the day, but good luck staying awake that long. Websites, on the other hand, require no sleep and are powerful marketing sentinels that, again, are simply more convenient.

Cost-Effective

The power of a website is in it’s return on investment: selling products on your website doesn’t require a salesperson, point-of-sale terminals or, in some cases, even an inventory. Service or informational websites reduce the time spent answering questions and are more effective than costly brochures which reach a much narrower audience.

Global

While your focus may be local or regional, a website never limits you to any geographic area. Most companies aspire to expand their consumer base and reach out to anyone, anywhere who is interested in their product or service. A website gives even the smallest startup a worldwide presence, right out of the gates.

Competitive

If you’re not leading, you’re following. Most likely, your competition has a website and is reaching consumers right now. If they don’t, take advantage.

Communication

A misconception is that email or a website is too impersonal. To some, perhaps, but to most it comes back to convenience. Your website functions as a vehicle to spark whatever that communication may be: if they prefer phone, put your number on your website. If it’s after-hours, they should be able to reach you via email. Bulletin boards, forums or blogs allow for not only direct interaction with you, but with other customers as well.

Green

Paper-based marketing (brochures, direct mail, catalogs, etc) consume not only paper, but the resources involved in printing and distribution. A website consumes relatively little energy and is a viable alternative for environmentally-conscience businesses. The bottom line shouldn’t compete with eco-friendly strategies, it should encompass them.

Evolution

The yellow pages are an old marketing method. Published once a year, difficult to navigate, and limited to whatever space your budget allows. A website has no dimensional boundaries, and you’re able to add to or change your message whenever you choose. Radio, television, and mail marketing follows a model where you throw your product/service at the masses, in the hope that it “sticks” to a few consumers. A website breaks this antiquated paradigm: customers actively seek you out.

Near-Limitless Potential

Some of the most profitable web-based businesses have been developed not by those with a technical or web background, but just smart business-minded people who view technology as a platform to elevate their ideas. Web developers love innovation and a good challenge, take your crazy idea to them and make something happen.