5 reasons why your business MUST have a website

Should your business have a website? You bet, and here’s why...

The following information may sound a bit harsh, especially if you have been in business for a while, but we are now well and truly passed the days of, “My business doesn’t need a website, we’ve been around for ages and we’re doing just fine”. The Internet has and will continue to change the way business is done in the 21st Century.

It’s passed time to either embrace the medium and work with it or be left behind. To disregard the Internet as a vital ingredient to your business success is your choice, but what if business took this stance when telephones or fax machines were first introduced? Now here are the TOP 5 reasons why your business MUST have a website.

1. Because your competition does

One of the most fundamental reasons for ALL business’ to have a website is because your competition does. Now, unless you have a monopoly, sooner or later your competition will go online. In fact it’s a pretty good bet they already are.

Your customers are now searching online to research their purchases and find products and suppliers. In particular if your customers are residential a large proportion of this research is done after hours, this means that without a website they don’t know you exist, but you can be sure they know about your competition.

2. Marketing with control

Not only is your website a fantastic extension to your offline marketing and advertising, it is a highly cost effective marketing medium in it’s own right. The setup of a website is fraction of the cost of a yellow pages advertisement. Less and less prospective customers are using print directories to source suppliers, they go online, so why not capture them were they are.

Approximately 85% of all search in Australia is conducted through Google, it is possible to target specific customers as they search, displaying your products and services exactly when they want them, dramatically increasing your chances of a sale. The splatter effect of traditional advertising, direct mail, print directories, even TV and Radio is diminishing; it’s time to change.

3. Interact with your customers

Everyone with a business for any length of time knows that the best customers are repeat or referred customers. This is because half the work is already done, they’re already sold on you and your products it’s just a case of negotiating the details. So why not make it simple and easy for your customers to interact with you and your business, to get the information they need NOW.

Send them electronic newsletters to tell them about a sale or a latest product. Provide them product information for download on your site or support information. All of this fosters a relationship with your clients that brings them back and even gets them to refer you to others. Not only does this satisfy your customers but it also decreases actual one-on-one support time and expensive hard copy sales and support material. For this reason alone any business would be crazy not to take advantage of such and effective tool.

4. Level the playing field

Look and act bigger than you really are. By using multiple e-mail accounts (e.g. Sales@, Info@, shipping@, etc) even a one-person business can look like a multi-person or multi-department operation through a company website. Having an online presence will enable you to compete with much larger and better-capitalised companies to promote your products and services.

This is not a case of “duping” your online customers into thinking you are something your not, but rather providing you the opportunity to establish legitimacy in the eyes of your customers, helping them to make a purchase decision with you. Then it’s your job to make sure that their experience brings them back again and again.

5. Most importantly… Because your customers EXPECT it!

If you get a website for no other reason than this, it was a worthwhile investment. The 21st century customer, the reason you are in business or the reason you won’t be, expect, and in fact demand that if they are going to deal with you, then you must make it an easy, accessible and rewarding experience.

There is no better way to offer the range of information, interaction, support and marketing facilities in any other medium than online.

When you establish an online presence you better do it right, because customers can change from your shop to your competitors with a simple click of their mouse.

Webarena provides ALL the products and services you need to make your website an effective online presence and great investment in your business’ future.

To discuss how your business can benefit, contact us on 08 9330 7655 or click here and we will arrange for a representative to visit you and give you an obligation free demonstration.