It's the Welcome Mat

The website is the gateway, doorway, and welcome mat of a business. It should educate the consumer as well as arouse the sentiments. It is the first impression that will be made on the consumer and can determine whether the consumer will continue to engage.

Take Control Over Your Digital Brand

You have a lot of control over when you get your website. Not only does this give you an online home, but it also gives you a platform to tell potential customers about your business: what you do, why you do it, and who you are. Instead of relying on someone else to tell people about your business, you get to frame the narrative and build a successful website yourself. When you build your site, you control what visitors see about your business. When you build your brand on a third-party platform, you are locked into their platform. They own your platform, you don't have it.

It Shows You Exists

A small business needs a website to run a business in today's digital world. Without a website, you give up much, if not most, of your potential business, as consumers will not be able to learn anything about you or what your business has to offer. If not for anything else, a website will show your audience that you exist.

It Shows Potential Clients If Your Business Is the Right Fit

A small business needs to have a platform that accurately reflects who they are and why people should buy their products or use their services. When potential customers are searching for a product or service, you want your website to be available for them to click on. You want them to see a clean, functional website that makes you feel like your business is the right choice for them. A website represents your brand in the digital space and without it, it would be difficult to have a strong online brand presence.

People Need to Find You on Google

In today's digital world, people turn to Google to search for practically anything and everything. By answering questions about products and services near you. Search engines play an important role in the online success of businesses. Without a website, potential customers will not be able to find you in their searches. Creating a central place to store your address, your phone number, a contact form, a product/service list, prices and more will open the door for people to find your business online.

Compete with Big Brands

One misconception about websites is that they are only for national companies or corporations that have a worldwide audience. Websites are just as, if not more, beneficial to small businesses.

Search engines prioritize local search and often rank results by location, which is an advantage for local businesses.

Like a local search, if you're searching for "shoe stores near me," Google won't give you name-brand results in New York (unless you live in New York). It will use a local search to show you a list of nearby shoe stores.

Increase in Business Credibility

Having a website increases the credibility of your business. In our digital age, not having a website for your business is grounds for doubt and if you have a more stable digital presence you may not be able to convert as many sales as you want. Customers will find you online and having a website is one of the criteria to determine credibility.

Not appearing in search engines (or on the Internet at all, for that matter) is one of the fastest ways to lose credibility as a business.

Promotes and Sells Your Products or Services

For a local business, your website can act as a digital brochure, sharing up-to-date information about your offers, as well as a direct selling tool.

"It's a 24-hour sales staff who can make sales even when your business is technically closed."

Plus, you can update information in real-time — no waiting or paying for new print material. In addition to adding a simple product list or menu, add more to your site to help you make sales. Use your website as a sales support system for a local business by adding the following elements.

Ecommerce Store

When your website has an eCommerce component, you can do business from your site itself. Customers can visit your website and make purchases directly from your brand. It serves as both a marketing and sales tool. Set up an eCommerce site with the following elements to allow customers to purchase your products directly from your site.

• Payment process
• Inventory management
• Shipping Solutions
• Site Security (SSL Certificate)
• Search feature
• Integration with CRM
• Coupon Tool
• Upselling and Cross-selling Features
• Reporting and Analysis
• Customer review
• Contact page
• FAQ

It Allows You to Compete

Every business should have a website for the same reason you plant a seed. Getting a website is the first step toward putting your business in an environment where it can thrive. It allows you to promote your product, build credibility, distinguish yourself, and quite frankly - compete. If you’re not on the internet these days, you’re not being competitive and you will miss out on opportunities, even from loyal customers. If your customers can’t find you, they will find someone else.

Create a final destination for your marketing efforts

When you build a small business website, you have an endpoint for all your other marketing messages. Create a radio ad? End it with a call-to-action to get more information on your website. Create flyers to assign an event? Add your website URL so that people can visit your site to learn more about your products and services.

A website is the gateway to your brand.

It Expands Your Physical Location

Websites are one of the best investments in serendipity you can make. Here's what I mean: When you work from a single location, your presence is limited to where you are. With a website, you can reach people in other countries or on the other side of the world. Some of these people may become customers, investors, or suppliers; And if you didn't have a website they would never be able to find you.

It Is a Reflection of the Service You Will Provide

A small business must use a website to effectively reach its customer base and be able to respond and communicate with its current and potential customers in a timely and effective manner. Furthermore, today's consumers use websites to not only identify businesses with whom to transact, but also to gauge the credibility or 'fitness' of that small business. An inadequate or 'outdated' website may describe today's consumer laziness or inattention – traits that are extremely unattractive and prompt a potential customer to 'swipe left.

It's Your Digital Brochure

At its core, a website replaces a brochure. It is informational, giving people insight into who you are, why you are different, and what you offer or sell. When content is kept fresh and engaging, a website at its best can build community, connections, and loyalty. Most people are searching through mobile devices, websites should be mobile optimized.

Your Domain Name Increases Credibility

Having a website gives legitimacy to your small business. When someone is searching for your product or service online, you want to appear in those search results. Additionally, having your domain name (company.com) gives your email address extra legitimacy — if you're sending email from a personal email, potential customers may not take you as seriously. Additionally, every small business also needs a website and social media. I advise entrepreneurs I work with to focus on their "core 4" social media channels: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Once you have launched your website, you can cross-promote it by sharing it on social media as well.

It’s Free Advertising

Having a professional website will mean that people looking for you can find you and get the information they need. But if you optimize your website well, it can also mean that you will appear in search results for people who didn't even know they were looking for you. Create pages that talk about the services you provide and where you provide them. Or publish pages that describe your products or how to solve problems you usually solve. You can go from an invisible plumber in Cleveland, for example, to a plumber in Cleveland who whenever you see a drain opening nearby.

Active blog

A blog is another way to allow customers and customers to get to know you (and your products and services). You can share a wide range of content that shows your expertise in your industry, how to get the most out of your products, and/or the ideas behind your products and services. Plus, having a blog with fresh daily content can boost your search rankings.

It's Crucial During a Pandemic

During a pandemic, this may be the only way for potential customers to find you. Moreover, customers love the convenience of home shopping. Businesses without a web presence will be deprived of these customers. People who grew up on the Internet may not be considered old or "with it."