One of the questions we often hear from business owners is “why does my business need a website?” The short answer is that having a website is essential to operating a business in the digital age, especially since consumers spend over half their day online.

A company’s website can be thought of as a digital representation of your company’s headquarters. Unlike a social media profile, it’s something that you own and control, and you can use it to support your goals.

We understand the reasons why you might feel like it’s not necessary or may be hesitant: you may not be technically savvy, you may think you can’t afford it, or you may believe that social media websites like Facebook can get the job done.

In reality, not having a website for your business is likely costing you both time and money. We’re here to help break down the reasons why your business should have a website.

Build credibility and trust

56% of people state that they won’t trust a business without a website. Having a website instantly establishes credibility; without one, potential customers may question your business’s legitimacy.  Websites are a great tool to show customers that you’re trustworthy to do business with. Features like testimonials, before-and-after photos, case studies , and blog posts can show off your expertise.

It’s clear that customers living in the Information Age want to know more about who you are, what you stand for, and what kind of products and services you offer. Your website acts like a digital brochure, and should be the primary resource for this information.

In traditional outbound marketing mediums, like TV and radio, print, and the like, consumers will most likely search for your brand online if it piques their interest. If you don’t have a website, they’ll have nowhere to go and you lose an important opportunity to engage them further.

Increase sales and grow profit

Now more than ever, people rely on the Internet to help make decisions on what and where to purchase. In a 2017 report conducted by the Local Search Association, a majority of customers only used two forms of media to discover local businesses: search engines and websites. Clearly, those billboards aren’t cutting it in a digital age. The bottom line for your bottom line is that having a website creates more sales, whether you’re selling online or offline.

In fact, researching online and purchasing offline accounts for over 80 percent of sales for most products. A whopping 76% of consumers who search for local businesses on their smartphones go to a store within 24 hours.

If you have considered selling your products online, know this: your website can make sales even when your business is closed, effectively serving as a 24-hours sales staff. If you don’t have products to sell and are a service-based businesses, adding appointment schedulers and online booking tools can help customers take the next step in the buying process.

If you’re still thinking, “why does my business need a website to sell products?” studies show that retailers who use their website see an average growth of 15-50%.

Crush the competition

One common misconception is that only national businesses or Fortune 500 companies need a website. As a small business, an effective website allows you to compete with larger companies, franchise businesses, and retail chain stores. With a properly optimized website, it’s completely possible to outrank competitor websites, which means that potential customers will see your business first. That’s important, since 75% of online search users don’t scroll past the first page of results.

For local businesses, search engines like Google are able to detect a user’s geographic location and show them the most relevant businesses first. Taking advantage of these tools is a great way to stand out from businesses who choose not to have an online presence.

Communicate with customers

Traditional methods of selling and support are limited by operating hours. Your website can provide 24/7 access to your business for customers. Most businesses get calls from prospects or existing customers asking simple questions, like directions to your location or your hours of operation. If you miss a call, the customer will be unsatisfied. Calls can also take valuable time away from the most important parts of your business. A website can reduce the number of calls, messages, and emails and increase your productivity. At the same time, it helps customers easily find useful information without needing to reach out to you directly, which is one big factor to consider when wondering why businesses need a website. Features such as FAQ pages or knowledge bases help anticipate frequent queries and increase customer satisfaction.

Since your website is always available, it’s a great place to post updates and announcements, such as promotions or sales. You can even add Facebook or Instagram feeds so that your customers can get a bird’s-eye view of what’s happening with your company in one place.

Still not convinced?

Research shows that 30% of consumers won’t consider a business if they don’t have a website. If you’re asking, “Why is having a website important for my business?” that should tell you everything!

Even though websites cost money to build and maintain, websites offer a better return on investment than any other form of marketing, and should be a top priority. Bloom specializes in creating websites that customers love and businesses appreciate. Contact us today for more information on how a website can help you grow your business.