5 Reasons Every Small Business Needs a Website

The web is a fantastic thing, isn’t it? You can find just about anything here! But the question is can your potential customers find YOU on the web? Does your small business have a website? If you answered no then you’re certainly not alone. In fact, recent surveys show that a whopping 46% of small businesses still do not have their own website. The reasons are many: I don’t have time, I’m not tech savvy, I’m doing fine without one. Unfortunately in today’s day and age, having a web presence is becoming more and more critical to the future success of any business.

Here are five compelling reasons that every small business should have a website.

Visibility

Sure, some folks still turn to the yellow pages to find a local business. But with more and more people using the web as their preferred search method (at last glance it was a little over 2 to 1), it only stands to reason that if your business isn’t online, it’s not being found and that translates to lost sales.

Expanded Reach

When you open a storefront or place an ad in the local paper or yellow pages, your target audience is limited. With a website, not only can you reach people a few towns or states away, but anyone in the world can find you (they don’t call it the “world wide web” for nothing). What could you do with global reach? We know it’s cliché, but the sky really is the limit.

Professional Image

We’re always touting how a virtual phone system can make a small business appear larger and more professional (it can – trust us!). The same goes for a website. Professionalism instills trust which translates to customer loyalty and repeat business.

Accessibility

Today’s society is all about instant gratification. Having a website provides access to your business 24/7/365. Customers and potential customers can quickly find information like your phone number, hours, address, and even make purchases right online. When people can reach you whenever they want they’ll be much more satisfied customers.

Competitive Edge

We already pointed out that nearly half of small businesses aren’t online yet. This fact alone gives you an opportunity to get a leg up on your competition. And it also lets you compete with those who already do have a web presence.

Conclusion

The small business environment is evolving, whether we like it or not. Nowadays businesses need a website to remain competitive and successful, regardless of industry or size. And with so many inexpensive options available to have a website designed and developed (think outsourcing), there’s simply no excuse. If your small business doesn’t have a website you’re most certainly missing out.