If you're already in business, and have customers, then you likely already have a sales or marketing channel of some kind.
This could be as simple as word-of-mouth, handing flyers out, running a TikTok channel or picking up the phone and calling people, etc.
So if you already have a channel that is working for you, you're probably wondering what the benefit would be having a website for your small business.
I'll start this off by saying, a website is one of the most important assets you can have for your business, not just because we make them, but because of the facts.
Did you know that 92% of global traffic comes from Google? That's insane, which is why business owners can't miss out on that opportunity.
Customer Access Round-the-Clock
Your site doesn't go to sleep, even when you do. You don't have to pick up the phone, you don't have to send emails, or queue your posts for maximum visibility. Your site is there working as your personal PR assistant, customer service representative, marketing agent, sales guy etc.
It is the perfect showcase to present to existing and prospective customers, who you are and what you stand for.
You could wake up to meetings booked, or with orders to fulfil, all because you now can operate round-the-clock.
Reach people all around the globe
This one should go without saying, if you have a website, you can target anyone, anywhere. You're no longer limited to your brick and mortar store.
Want to translate your site out into thirteen different languages and target a ton of countries to market and sell your products? No problem.
Maybe your business hasn't taken off the way that you want, but it turns out there's a whole load of people in another state or country, who can't wait to get their hands on your product or service.
Getting online means you're breaking down barriers, and truly open 24/7 for service and sales.
Be seen as trustworthy
Almost everyone these days is online, and most of the time people want to buy a product or service, they'll look you up online.
When someone asks you, “where can I find you?” a serious business owner will direct someone to their website, where they can find all the channels the business has.
Will someone take you seriously, when they ask “Where can I find you?” and you turn around and say “Oh, we're on TikTok.”
Do you think that's what your competitors are saying?
If you have a website, and they're able to find it, you'll have the chance to explain what makes you stand out and show that you are a credible option for that customer.
You can collect reviews, showcase testimonials and add videos to help customers along their buyer journey.
If you don't have a website on the other hand, or if no one can find it, then they'll go directly to your competition, who does.
The Ultimate Marketing Tool
Your website is literally the ultimate marketing tool, and another reason how websites can help small businesses. Why? Because you can showcase everything that you have to offer, and tailor the experience around different customer types or buyer personas, to help them make a decision about your product or service.
The website becomes your ultimate lead generation tool. By offering a library of information relevant to your customers and gathering their information, you'll not only position yourself as an expert, but you'll also be able to target them with more details on how you can help.
Detailed Customer Analytics
Having a website, as a small business owner, means that you'll be able to track the behaviors of your potential customers and use that data to help you correct your marketing strategy. It will help you measure what you might be doing right and might be doing wrong.
With the information you gather, you'll be able to customize your website to fit your customer persona.
By using Google Analytics, you'll be able to track sales, clicks, and all other interactions your customers make around your websites, in ways that would just not be possible without a website.
With Hotjar, you can create a customized heatmap and gather recordings of your customers' behaviors to see what is engaging and what isn't, something you just couldn't do with a Facebook or TikTok account.
By providing value to your customers in the form of a free downloadable in exchange for an email, you'll be able to find exactly what it is they are looking for, and tailor your communication directly to them.
Personalized Customer Support
A massive benefit of having a website for small business, is that you'll be able to help your customers answer any questions they may have, or even solve problems on the fly for them.
With an FAQ, you can address the questions that they have, preventing the need to re-explain yourself on a phone call, helping you save valuable resources.
A chat widget can be a great first point of contact, to give the best first impression, here you can give them a fast response and show them how available you are to help them solve their problems.
With a video library containing a collection of useful product information, tricks or tips, you'll be able to engage your customers and gather valuable analytical data, where they'll be able to return time and time over. While Instagram may be great, having a library on your website allows customers to filter and search, without the chance of a platform removing your videos.
A blog will help you build up a content footprint over time, and provide massive value to your audiences. With enough value, other websites may share your content or reach out to you, which will help build your domain's authority and search visibility.
Not only this, but with the addition of a newsletter sign up button, you'll also be able to keep sending valuable articles and videos to an audience who can't get enough, leading to loyalty and more sales.
Networking and Partnerships With Other Business Owners
If you're looking to network with other business owners, then having a website for your business is essential. Why? Because not only will it be easier for business owners to find you, it will be a lot easier for them to refer business to you.
Let's say you network with someone who could potentially forward you many prospective clients, having a website will appear more professional, than referring someone over to a Facebook or TikTok account.
You'll also be more visible to form valuable partnerships.
Being Competitive
Let's keep it simple. Your competitors are online, and they have websites, those websites become more and more authoritative over time. Google is the largest search engine on the planet, and if you're not on it, then you are missing out on countless opportunities.
For instance; someone needs to get an emergency resolved fast. They pull out their phone and type into Google as fast as they can, looking for the first number they can find from a credible source… but you're not on there, someone else is.
How about someone sees a cool influencer video for a product of yours on TikTok or Instagram, then later on they go looking for that product, but come across your competitor because you don't have a website? Guess who gets the sale?
There are so many advantages, that it would take a long time to list them out on this page alone, so if you don't have a website for your small business, then we really hope you consider it!