Whether you’re a corporate, local, or trade-based business, in today’s marketing climate, you need a website. No matter your industry, you will always have competitors and you need to ensure that you maintain a competitive edge. Now more than ever, you cannot rely simply on word of mouth or conventional marketing techniques because the majority of business transactions take place online. You need more market exposure if you have a chance of keeping up with and excelling beyond your competitors. Even if you’re not comfortable with technology, the best way to capture new customers and keep current customers engaged is through a dynamic website that focuses on and projects a positive business image and highlights the benefits of your brand.
Here are some benefits to having a business website:
Ecommerce
Why do you think eBay does so well? All its activity occurs online and gives customers the means to make quick and easy transactions with a simple button click. Some customers aren’t altogether comfortable walking into a physical shop and some simply don’t have time. Enabling ecommerce on your business website allows your prospects to view and purchase your products and services at any time from any location. If a transaction is easy to make, chances are you have a higher probability of gaining a sale. Plus, once your customers make a purchase from you online, you have access to their information and their product preferences, so you can offer them things in future that are more likely to appeal to their tastes.
Mobile Website
Optimising your business website on mobile and tablet devices widens your accessibility even further because customers don’t even need to be in front of a computer to find you. They can simply look you up on their mobile or tablet. However, the last thing mobile users want when they’re searching for something online is long loading times, excessive scrolling, and difficult navigability. Some websites just aren’t ideal for compact screens and if your prospects are faced with these difficulties, they will almost definitely go elsewhere very quickly.
A mobile website is just another version of your main business website that is better suited to mobile devices. It’s easier to scroll through, navigate, and read, and will make the user experience much more positive.
Through a business website, you also provide your customers with a concrete way to find you in the future. When they are searching for information about you or your products, they’ll go straight to your website for the latest updates. That’s why it’s important to keep your website current and relevant to your prospects and maintain that high level of engagement.
There are many more benefits to having a business website but essentially, you’re exposing your brand to your prospects more, and you have the opportunity to create a website that embodies your brand while also communicating directly to your ideal customer.