If there is one thing every small business owner knows, its that his business needs a website. In his mind, it does not have to be the most flashy website around, it simply has to get the job done. But…what job is that? This is where many small business owners need help!
Web design does not have to be a complicated issue. In fact, it does not have to be an issue at all. Find a good web designer to do the work, provide quality hosting and support when needed and you’re good to go! Here are three key factors (among many) as to why every company needs a quality website:
Get Found
According to Google, 97% of consumers search for local businesses online. This means when John Smith searches for tax services in Olney, he is looking for YOU (well, if you’re an accountant). Now the question is…what will Mr. Smith find? Chances are several accountants located in Olney, MD. Are you one of them? If not, you’re losing prospect clients to competitors. Sure, losing prospect clients to the competition happens, but the prospects we are talking about fall into the 97% of consumers category. That is a lot of potential business.
Now simply setting up a website does not do the magic that gets you ranked in Google search results. Your website needs to be optimized with a variety of keywords related to your site content. This is where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes into play. Your website needs to be properly coded with these keywords, so when John searches for tax services in Olney, he finds your site optimized for those exact keywords. These are the kind of prospects you want to find your website.
Social Market
Today, social media is no longer dominated by the gossip-driven teen crowd. Studies show that an increasing number of adults are using social media on a daily basis. Nearly 4 in 5 active Internet users visit social networks. Over twice as many people aged 55+ visit social networking sites on their mobile phone than last year. Facebook is still king, with an average of 250 million users logged in every day. 200 million of those users log in via their mobile device.
But what does this mean for your brick and mortar business? Well, the next time someone walks into your business while fiddling with their cell phone, offer them a special deal if they “Check-in” to your business on facebook. This will prompt their friends to see where they are, and we all know friend-to-friend referrals are real winners. This is just one example of how social media integration can work to your advantage. The virtual market is there, waiting to do business with you!
Customer Experience
Small business owners know their website is but a tool in their marketing arsenal. A clean, good looking and user-friendly design is necessary in giving customers a quality experience. Believe me, one factor in which prospects will base your credibility is your website. Giving customers a solid online presence boosts your competitive edge over the competition.
A good company website will tell clients “I do business.” With the impact social media has on today’s consumers, integrating social media to your website will boost visitor sharing potential (which ultimately transmutes into more referrals). Websites with a tweet button are 7 times more likely to be shared on twitter. If you purchased a quality product or service that your family and friends would benefit from too, wouldn’t you tweet about it?