I use social media and it’s going pretty well, so why do I need a website?
An online presence for any business is a no brainer, it’s where you are found, it’s where you attract more customers. A lot of small businesses believe that they can build their business solely on social media or referrals. They are great marketing tools, but they won’t get you that regular business you’re after.
Seeing cool images on Instagram or any other social media platform is a draw, you want to find out more. But if there is no website to link back to the road stops there. People want to find out more themselves before they pick up the phone, they want to connect with you and be sold to in their time. Once you’ve done that online then that’s when you get that phone call or they fill in your enquiry form. But hey, you need a website to do that!
What’s the first thing you do when you hear about a product on TV?
What do you do when you see your dream holiday location on someone’s social media account?
What do you do when you’re in the city and you want a vegan cafe?
You get on the web and find the website or google them! Whether your business is big or small, online or local shop, or builder or solicitor – you NEED a website!
Let’s look at why having a website is important to your business and the success of your business.
Gives your business credibility
Your website will help make your business look ‘real’ and trustworthy rather than just relying on social media platforms.
Potential customers won’t buy your products or services unless they believe in your business and trust you. With your website you have the opportunity to showcase all the unique things about your business and why you’re the better choice than your competitors.
Yes, post work and offers on social media, but this is your draw to get people to visit your website to learn more about you and your business. Social media is so busy all the time, you’re likely to get lost. The times I’ve seen something on Instagram, didn’t double-tap it then went back to find it just 30minutes later and it’s as if it had vanished! Just remembering the business name of the profile would be enough to get online and google it, then bam there’s your website.
It’s your shop front which is open 24/7
How many times have you been sat there are 11.30 at night talking about what you’re going to do at the weekend and then needed to know what time a particular DIY shop opens? Or if this particular DIY shop sells bright orange paint for your kitchen walls? You grab your phone or laptop and google that shop to find the information you need.
What I’m getting at here is that your website acts as your shop front, whether you are a shop or an online business, you’re always open for business! Your business can be accessed from any device, any time of day and from anywhere in the world. With your website you can sell your products or get bookings whilst you’re asleep, so a website isn’t just for marketing it could be seen as your sales assistant or your PA.
Your website is YOURS
You don’t own social media, you don’t have control over whether your profiles are banned or deleted. But, your website is YOURS!
You have complete control over your website, you can post what you want, when you want. There are some businesses out there that are massively successful through social media, where the majority of their leads come from social platforms. What if they didn’t have a website and their profile suddenly got banned or deleted by the owners of the platform? They’ve lost their business!
Using social media to drive leads and customers to your website, where they can sign up to your newsletter or contact you on your enquiry form is great. That way you have the data from your customers and you’re building your customer base.
Build customer relationships
Building customer relationships is key to any successful business. This can be done face to face if you have a shop or have client meetings, but why can’t the same relationships be built through your website? They can!
With your website you can showcase your uniqueness and engage with customers. Engaging with customers means you’re giving them relevant information not necessarily pushing your products or services. Websites also maintain your business reputation, social media can bring negative comments but on your website you have control over what is shown on your site, therefore keeping your reputation positive. Yes, you can build customer relationships on social media platforms, but you are limited to what you can do there.
A website is really important to your business, get one! Use social media for a draw to your website, use your website as your sales assistant or PA that works 24/7, keep customer relationships strong through your website (and social media). Don’t share everything on social media and completely rely on it.
If you’d like to look into a website for your business or a revamp of your current one, please message me and we can arrange call.
LB 🐝