9 Reasons a Website for Your Business is Non-Negotiable
If there’s only one marketing channel you could prioritize, it should be your website. And no, I’m not talking about those link in bio “website” tools.
While there are many cost-efficient alternatives to a website that could work in your first few months of business, you are losing out on immense search engine value which ultimately helps you with brand awareness and even sales.
Your website isn't just a URL; it's your digital mansion, a critical marketing asset where you build thought leadership, establish industry authority, and stay competitive with your competitors. Not to mention, in this day and age, a website for your business is non-negotiable.
One of the first steps people take when they discover a new brand is head to Google and explore the website. According to Forbes, 71% of businesses now have a website in 2023 and nearly half of internet users gauge a business’s credibility through the website.
If that doesn’t convince you to get a website for your business, here are 9 reasons why it’s non-negotiable:
1. Demonstrate credibility and professionalism
A professional website is an online HQ. It's often the first point of contact between your business and a potential customer, making a strong initial impression crucial. A well-designed and informative website tells them that you are a trustworthy brand that values their experience as a customer, which fosters trust from the outset.
On the other hand, a link in bio tool or similar application looks like you did what was most convenient. It also is only user-friendly to those interacting with your Instagram, meaning it’s not an owned channel or audience.
Without a social media profile, people cannot find your business in a Google search. Moreover, the third-party platform could always shut down, causing you to lose your important links and information.
A professional website can show up in a Google search, funnel into your other contact management systems, and give you more creative freedom to showcase your business. Plus, with the right website copywriting, you can immediately attract your target audience and start to build a meaningful relationship with your customers.
2. Give your customers 24/7 accessibility
With a website, your customers gain invaluable access to your business. Regardless of time zones or business hours, your customers can engage with your products or services whenever it suits them.
This constant accessibility extends beyond geographical boundaries, allowing you to reach audiences globally, and breaking down physical barriers to entry. Most importantly, it offers unparalleled convenience for potential customers, as they can explore your offerings, gather information, or make inquiries at their convenience.
This round-the-clock availability not only enhances customer satisfaction but also opens up a world of opportunities for your business in the digital realm.
3. Showcase your products and services
Your website serves as an online storefront, accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time. It becomes the digital equivalent of a brick-and-mortar shop, inviting visitors to browse your offerings.
Moreover, it provides a platform for detailed product and service information, allowing potential customers to make informed decisions. Detailed product or service specifications, pricing, and user reviews create transparency and build trust.
According to Google’s consumer insights, 53% of shoppers say they always do research before they buy to ensure they are making the best possible choice. This means you can create in-depth, long-form content such as blogs to educate your customers about your products or services.
But it doesn't stop there. Your website's visual appeal, enriched by multimedia content such as high-resolution images, videos, and interactive demos, creates an immersive experience. This not only engages visitors but also conveys the quality and uniqueness of what you offer.
In today's increasingly “online” world, showcasing your products and services through your website is not just an advantage; it's a necessity for staying competitive.
4. Increased search engine visibility
One of the biggest advantages to having a website for your business is achieving search engine visibility. Over time, you can establish yourself as a credible authority in your industry and gain brand recognition, simply by showing up in Google search results.
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is paramount. It's the strategic art of fine-tuning your website's content to meet the algorithms' criteria, ensuring that search engines recognize and prioritize your site. This leads to higher rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), a prime position that dramatically increases your chances of being noticed by users.
But it's not just about rankings; it's about capturing organic traffic. SEO practices, combined with consistent content marketing and blog copywriting, transform your website into a magnet for relevant audiences. Regularly updated, valuable content showcases your expertise and authority in your field, while strategically placed keywords and informative blog posts act as beacons for search engines, directing more users to your site.
In the digital realm, SEO, content marketing, and blog copywriting are the keys to unlocking the vast potential of online visibility. As a digital marketing professional, I’ve worked with 100+ brands to help them with brand messaging and content writing. If you’re looking for support in this area, get in touch with me today.
5. Additional marketing and branding opportunities
A business website serves as a versatile platform for elevating branding and marketing strategies. It acts as the digital canvas where brand identity is meticulously crafted and displayed, ensuring a cohesive and memorable image.
Through content marketing and blogging, it becomes a hub of valuable information, showcasing expertise, and engaging visitors. This not only boosts credibility but also keeps the audience involved and informed.
You can also integrate your website seamlessly with social media, extending your website’s reach to where an audience congregates. Sharing content and promotions across platforms fosters community engagement, reinforcing the brand's online presence.
In other words, a business website is the center stage for brand development and effective marketing, offering a powerful trifecta of identity, content, and social connection.
6. Insight into data and analytics
Websites are invaluable tools for gaining deep insights into your business through data and analytics. They offer a window into customer behavior, revealing what visitors are searching for, what they're clicking on, and how long they're staying. This data illuminates customer preferences, pain points, and patterns, allowing you as a business owner to tailor offerings and user experiences accordingly.
Websites also provide means to measure performance rigorously. Metrics like traffic, bounce rates, and conversion rates gauge the effectiveness of your online presence, helping you identify areas for improvement.
Armed with this data, you can make informed, data-driven decisions, optimizing strategies and investments for the most significant impact. In essence, websites aren't just digital brochures; they're powerful engines of business intelligence, enabling smarter choices and better outcomes.
7. Stay competitive in your industry
Websites are essential for staying competitive in your industry.
If your customers can more easily find you in a Google search compared to your competitors, you’ll have an advantage. With the right blog content strategy, you can even get in front of your customers earlier in their product or service research stage.
Websites also offer a window into the strategies of competitors. Analyzing their websites can reveal valuable insights about their offerings, user experience, and marketing approaches, enabling you to adapt and stay ahead.
8. Meet your customers where they are
You know it and I know – everyone is always on their phones. As a business, you have to be able to meet your customers where they are. Websites are a pivotal part of this strategy.
With a responsive design, you can adapt your site’s layout and functionality to different screen sizes, delivering an intuitive and visually pleasing experience for mobile users.
This not only satisfies visitors but also positively impacts search rankings. Google's mobile-first indexing underscores the importance of mobile-friendliness. It means that Google primarily uses the mobile version of your website for ranking and indexing, making mobile optimization non-negotiable for visibility in search results.
In essence, websites bridge the gap between businesses and mobile-savvy customers, delivering accessibility and relevance on the go.
9. Add a cost-effective marketing channel
When comparing website costs to traditional advertising methods like print or television, the discrepancy is evident. Websites require a relatively modest initial investment for design and development, and ongoing maintenance costs are typically lower than continually running ad campaigns.
Beyond the cost savings, a website represents a long-term investment in brand growth. Once established, it serves as a perpetual marketing asset, providing exposure and engaging customers indefinitely.
Regularly updated content keeps your audience engaged, fostering loyalty and brand recognition. Websites also offer the advantage of easy measurement of ROI (return on investment). Analytical tools track user behavior, conversion rates, and sales data, enabling you to assess the impact of your online efforts accurately. This data-driven approach ensures that your marketing dollars are allocated where they yield the most significant return, making a website a savvy investment for any business.
Get started on a website for your business
As you can see it is non-negotiable to have a real website for your business. I know I’ve walked away from working with people when they don’t have a good website. The same goes for brick-and-mortar stores or product-focused brands.
No matter what type of business you operate, a website is necessary. A strong business website involves professional website design and development, including website copywriting.
To get started on a website for your business, get in touch with me about my copywriting services. I can also offer high-quality design and development services from talented designers in my network. Ready to get started? Contact me today.
