With so many businesses marketing through social media these days, I often hear the question “do I need a website for my business?” As a web designer, I might be a little biased. Yes, you absolutely need one! Today I’m sharing 6 proven reasons why I think a website is important for your business.
1. A Website Is Important Because You Own It and No One Can Take It Away From You
How many times have you seen a post in a Facebook group where someone has been negatively impacted because of changes to a social network? You see comments about this every time there is an algorithm change. Typically, it’s a drop in engagement but sometimes the repercussions are worse. Your account might get locked, hacked, or banned with a direct hit to your business bottom line.
Regardless of how big your follower count is or how influential you are on social media, the fact is it could disappear at any time. So, you just don’t build your business on borrowed land. Promise me you won’t do it!
When you have a website, it’s 100% yours. You call the shots and make all the decisions. I don’t know about you but I would much prefer to be in control of my online space than to rely on the execs at Instagram & Facebook.
2. Your Website Is Important Because It Gives You Credibility
Last spring a potential client approached me about doing some social media work for their retail business. I didn’t feel like we were a good fit, so I referred them to a digital marketer friend. This friend is highly regarded in the community but doesn’t have a website for her business. Well, needless to say, the lead I referred was not at all interested in doing business with her for the simple fact that she didn’t have a website and therefore didn’t seem credible.
Your potential customers are forming opinions about you and your abilities solely based on your website. Having a website legitimizes your business and having a good website gives you credibility. Better yet, having a great website sets you apart from the competition.
3. A Website Is Important Because It Sets You Apart From Your Competition
On social media, it’s easy to get lost and forgotten. Feeds start to look the same and potential customers forget about you amongst the endless scroll.
But when you have your own website, you have an opportunity to truly stand out from the rest. You have the ability to customize and optimize everything about your website to appeal to your ideal client. From how the site flows, to its function and features, to all the design elements and every single branding detail. You have full control over the direction of your online brand experience and that is a very powerful thing.
4. It Helps You Find Your Dream Clients – and Repels Those That Aren’t so Dreamy!
This one is sort of a big deal. When you have a great website, everything is tailored to attract your Ideal Client. Your site meets them where they are at in their journey and is designed precisely with them in mind.
On the flip side, your website will also repel those that aren’t a good fit for your product or service. This means you’ll get more of the dream clients you’re after and less of the frustrating ones that just aren’t a good fit.
Related Post: Should I Actually Bother With An Ideal Customer Profile?
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5. It Will Get You Found Online
In 2019, 65% of the traffic to my website came from Google search. Instagram generated just over 1% of my site traffic and Facebook just over 6%. Think about how many more people are finding me online because I have a website – and how many more people could be finding you! Forbes agrees – not having a website means you are losing business.
In addition, if you add blogging on top of your standard website just think of how many people could find you through the power of SEO. With every blog post, you’ll be able to cater your website to topics that are relevant to your ideal customer. This will continue to bring regular and consistent traffic to your site for years to come. In fact, the experts over at Moz think you’ve never needed a website more!
Related Post: 4 Simple SEO Tips to Help You Get Found Online
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6. It Will Work 24-7-365 for You.
Finally, when you have a website for your business it is always working for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.
When you invest in your own online place, your customers can find you and learn about you whenever they are online. Your offerings page will clearly outline how you can help them, your FAQs should answer a lot of their questions and your email opt-ins and contact form will allow them to get in touch. A website truly can be the best salesperson for your business.
Is 2020 the year you finally launch one for your business? If so, you know I’d love to help so send me a note here.
Behind the blog
I’m Vanessa. The Founder & Creative Director of Vanessa Bucceri Creative.
We work with ambitious service professionals who are ready to uplevel their brand identity so they can flourish in their businesses. We show style-minded business owners just like you how to connect with your audience through artful branding & web design - all while truly listening to your vision and intuitively bringing it to life.
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Welcome to Allora! A bi-monthly digest sharing style and strategy related to branding, web design, and business ownership for graciously ambitious service professionals.
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