The Importance of a Website for Small Businesses

Poor user experience drives almost 50% of website users to choose a competitor instead. In fact, 38% of people abandon poorly designed websites. If your website is outdated (or you don’t have one), you could lose business.

Understanding the importance of a website for your business can help you discover new opportunities for growth.

On the fence about investing in a small business website this year? Here are seven reasons you need an eye-catching, well-designed website. After learning about the benefits of a website for your business, you can make an informed choice.

Read on to discover why you need to invest in designing a website today!

1. Wow Your Audience

Remember, consumers will leave your website if it’s poorly designed or offers a bad user experience. A bad user experience indicates your site is difficult to navigate or use. If people can’t explore your site, they won’t find what they need. 

You’ll miss the chance to generate leads and sales as a result.

With professional website development and design services, you can make a strong first impression instead. After all, you only have a few seconds to make a lasting impression. It might as well have a positive impact. 

In some cases, your small business website is the first time people interact with your brand. What impression do you want to leave? For example, you can show them you’re a professional, credible thought leader in the industry.

Perhaps you want to show them you’re a fun, family-friendly brand instead.

How your website looks and feels can convey the image you want to create. You can show off your brand’s personality and leave a lasting impression. 

Leaving an impression could help you remain top-of-mind with customers. When they need your product or service in the future, they’ll recall seeing your website!

2. Build Brand Awareness

Your business likely falls within a competitive niche. Your website could help you stand out from the crowd.

Otherwise, consumers might not realize your business exists. Having a website will give you new opportunities to grow brand awareness.

For example, you can create blog content and lead visitors to your site using search engine optimization (SEO). You can also use pay-per-click (PPC) advertising or email marketing.

Each marketing strategy you create can attract people to your website. Then, they can learn more about your brand. As they keep interacting with your business, brand awareness will grow.

In time, they’ll begin to associate your brand with your offerings. Instead of thinking of your competitors, they’ll choose you first. 

3. Prove Your Credibility

The design has a 75% influence on a website’s credibility. In fact, nearly 50% of people say it’s the number one factor for deciding a company’s credibility. If consumers can’t find you credible, they won’t trust you.

If they can’t trust your business, they won’t shop from you, either.

Understanding the importance of a website can help you find new ways to prove your credibility. 

For example, you can create thought-provoking, informative blog posts to show off your experience and expertise. You can also share customer reviews on your website. Reviews can help bolster your credibility as well.

Without a small business website, however, consumers might not think you’re a legitimate business. They might struggle to learn more about your brand, too. If they can’t learn about your business, they might struggle to trust you. 

Before that can happen, consider the benefits of a website for your business. 

You can prove your credibility and start building brand trust, which could help you generate leads and sales. Eventually, you’ll start gaining loyal customers. Brand loyalty can help generate repeat sales, improving your ROI. 

4. Improve Your Rankings

Google ranks websites that are mobile-friendly, secure, and fast above others. A higher ranking on Google will help you reach more customers online. Your website development and design play a big role in your rankings, though.

If you’re not ranking on the first page of a search, consumers might never find your website or business. You can improve your brand visibility and generate more web traffic with SEO.

Consider the importance of a website for your company’s future. Higher rankings will help you attract more customers. Since SEO is a cost-effective strategy, it can also help improve your ROI.

You can start attracting more customers while setting your business up for lasting growth.

5. Successful PPC Advertising

Paid advertising strategies like PPC can get costly if you don’t set your campaigns up for success. Your website landing pages can impact your PPC campaigns. Google looks for landing pages that offer a good user experience.

If your website is slow, cluttered, or outdated, you’ll have to pay more to advertise on Google. Your ad rankings might drop, too.

A strong, well-designed small business website can benefit your PPC advertising campaigns. You can reach more customers online and start boosting your business. 

Otherwise, you could blow through your budget sooner than expected. If you don’t have a website at all, you’ll miss the chance to advertise. 

6. Offer Better Customer Service

Consumers want quick, easy access to the answers they’re searching for. Understanding the importance of a website can help improve your customer service. For example, you can add an FAQ page to your site.

You can also add an automated chatbot. Chatbots can help customers when you’re away or busy. Consumers won’t have to wait around when they need help.

Improving your company’s customer service could help you generate more sales. 

7. Improve Your ROI

These website benefits can all lead to one huge benefit: a higher ROI for your business.

You don’t have to waste time or money on traditional advertising strategies like billboards anymore. Instead, your website can help you create a digital, inbound marketing strategy. Inbound marketing is more cost-effective than outbound strategies.

As your ROI improves, your business can start to grow!

Detailed Designs: Understanding the Importance of a Website for Your Business

Don’t neglect the importance of a website for your business. Instead, consider these seven website benefits. Investing in website development and design is also an investment in your company’s success.

Consider working with a web design and development agency today to bring your new website to life. 

Eager to get started? We can’t wait to help. 

Contact us today to discuss your new project.