22 reasons why you need a website
If you own a small or medium sized business, you might still be undecided on the website issue. If you’re wondering if you really need a website, the simple answer is YES, you do! Below are 22 of the many reasons why your business, organisation or community group can benefit from a professionally designed website.
If after reading these you do decide to build a website, make sure you choose a designer who has an in-depth knowledge of the latest technologies and impeccable design talents- you not only want your website to look good, but to be easy to navigate and easy to find!
With Indepth Creative, you get access to a professional graphic design team, to make your website look fantastic. We have talented programmers who are always looking for a challenge, so you know that your website will have all the best technologies and functionalities. We have over 15 years experience in the industry, so we know the practicalities of websites and how to make the most of them. And we have a complete Search Engine Optimisation package, so that people will actually be able to find your website once it is built!
At Indepth Creative, design is just the surface.
Why you need a website:
1. When it comes to your business, size doesn’t matter. If you don't have a website, you're potentially losing business to other companies that do.
2. As a bare minimum, you NEED to have an online presence so that people can find your physical presence. Many people search online for phone numbers, email addresses and contact details. With an internet presence, customers, potential clients, future employees, business partners, supplies and potential investors can quickly and easily find out more about your business.
3.First impressions count! If your website makes you look professional, you customers will feel they can trust you; and with a well designed website, your small business can project its professionalism. This is called the ‘credibility factor’; a well designed website show that you know what you are doing.
4. You might be surprised at how cost effective a website actually is. Once it is up and running, maintenance costs are minimal- with an Indepth Content Management System you can make all updates yourself, saving time and money!
5. When you register a domain name, you can also create multiple email accounts using the same name (e.g. info@yourname.com.au, sales@yourname.com.au, joeblogs@yourname.com.au, etc), making your use of email professional and your email contacts easy for your clients to remember.
6. Two words: customer support. Via the internet, you can provide your customers and clients with information, answer their queries and offer assistance in choosing products or services. Most importantly this can be done at both yours and their own convenience, without the need to hire extra staff or leave your desk.
7. With a website, information and contact details for your business are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Potential clients can read information about you at any time and email you at their convenience, allowing you to then respond at a time convenient to you. With a website you will always be open for business.
8. Sick of answering the same questions about your business over and over again? Post the answers to Frequently Asked Questions on your website and you will save your own time, as well as making information easier to find for your clients and customers. Let your employees focus on their areas of expertise, not on answering the same questions day in, day out.
9. Make changes to products and services quickly and easily, and without any additional costs! With our easy Content Management System you can change any of the content on your website quickly, and instantly see the live updates. This means no more redesigning and reprinting flyers, catalogues or brochures every time you want to add an item or change a price, savings you time and money.
10. Improve your branding. Your website will help set your apart from your competitors and let your customers and clients know what to expect from you and your products. With the help of interactive tools, newsletters, members’ areas and special ‘internet only’ offers, you can even use your website to help boost brand loyalty.
11. Lots of people like to shop locally, and will type their location into the search field when looking for a retailer, supplier or service provider. By having your site on the web, and mentioning in it where you are located, you help attract local customers. You can also advertise in local online forums and listings once you’re online.
12. At the same time as attracting locals, your website can be very useful in gaining exposure across the city, state or country. People can visit your website from anywhere around the world, greatly increasing your target audience.
13. It’s all about feedback! Your website can provide customers with your contact details, but also with easy to use contact forms, so users can quickly and easily provide you with their thoughts and feedback. This provides you with (free!) valuable information from your clients and customers.
14. You can use your website as a platform in which to reward your valued customers. You can use your website to offer specials, informative tips and advice and other benefits, including an online members’ area. Rewarding your customers helps spread positive word of mouth and creates brand loyalty.
15. Fancy running a contest to get customer interest, create word of mouth promotion and reward your customers? Competitions are so much easier with a website – you can promote via search engines and links to other websites, and track all entrants in an online database, without having to add each contestant manually! Provided your entrant has given permission, you can then add them to your mailing or newsletter list too.
16. With a website you can speak your clients’ language, whatever it might be. You can choose to have some or all of your text in different languages, giving you the distinct advantage of being able to speak to your clients in their native language.
17. You can put as much (or as little) text as you like on your website, providing page after page of useful information. With the advantage of being able to add both audio and visual elements to all of your pages, you can communicate with customers, clients and supplies on a whole new level!
18. Yes a website is a useful marketing tool, but it can also be just plain fun! Use flash animations, videos and images to explain things or showcase products; have witty or entertaining text to amuse and encourage exploration; use your website to get a smile out of your customers and watch them keep coming back for more. Just make sure your content is fun in a way that is appropriate to your industry and target audience.
19. Having a website will make things easier for both you and your customer. Think of all the things you can do online, all created to make life easier: online banking, online shopping, online ticketing. Access everything you need from home, the office or on the go, and give your clients the same option. You can do all manner of things with your website to make your customers’ lives easier, and they’ll thank you for it with their custom.
20. Use your website for recruitment purposes, and find your new employees online. You can post job vacancies as they become available, let people know that you take on apprentices or work experience positions, and put out a call for recent graduates to send you their resumes or portfolios; all of this without having to pay a recruitment consultant.
21. & 22. You NEED website because it is EXPECTED of you and because COMPETITION will force you too! A website enhances professionalism, and your clients will expect you to have a site where they can learn more about you. Customers will demand you have a website, and if you don’t provide one, your competitors will (or probably already do). The internet has become an integral part of daily life and you don’t want to get left behind!