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There was a time when businesses around the world used to rely only on word-of-mouth and print ads to attract customers. However, the rise of digital technology has changed that completely. Now, it has become a necessity for most businesses to build a strong online presence in order to stay competitive and grow.

The most effective way to achieve that is to create a website that provides your business with a unique digital identity. That’s why around three-quarters of small businesses in the world do have a website, as per the Small Business Majority survey.

Still not convinced? Let’s discuss five critical reasons why you should build a site for your business to succeed in this digital world.

Reasons Why Your Small Business Needs a Website

Running a business is not easy, and it requires you to prioritize certain tasks over others. But what should be at the top of your priority list is building a visually appealing website. Here are the reasons why:

Builds a Brand

A small business that not many people know about is just an entity where services or products are exchanged for money. A unique website provides your business with a platform to share its story and create a strong emotional connection with customers.

It also gives your business a unique digital identity to transform it into a brand that people can recognize and remember.

Enhances Credibility

Imagine a scenario where you’re in need of a home security system and one of your friends tells you about a local business they say does a really good job. Once you’re free, you open your laptop and search for that business online, just to find nothing at all.

It’ll definitely make you feel suspicious and even keep you from trusting the business. Similarly, if a potential customer searches for your business and finds no website, they’ll question its legitimacy. That’s because a website influences the purchase decisions of 97% of customers.

Therefore, it’s important to have a website for your small business to enhance its credibility and reassure customers that your company is trustworthy.

Manage Brand Perception

While it’s almost impossible to have complete control over what people say about your business, a website can help you influence how they perceive your brand. As mentioned already, it provides you with a platform to share your brand’s story to help your audience understand your vision and mission.

A website also allows you to have control over your brand’s messaging and design to influence user experience. In addition, you can publish blog posts, case studies, testimonials, and key achievements to address common concerns and place yourself as an industry expert.

Helps You Gain Competitive Edge

Another crucial reason why your small business needs a website is that it can help you stay ahead of the curve and compete with industry giants. Here’s how:

• Levels the Playing Field: A website allows you to showcase your products/services just like larger companies and appear alongside them in search results.
• Increases Visibility: With proper SEO (Search Engine Optimization), your website can rank high in search results, which makes it easier for potential customers to find your business online.
• Offers Unique Value: Using your website, you can offer personalized customer service, showcase specialized products, and share a unique brand story. It can help your business stand out from the competition.
• Enables 24/7 Accessibility: Unlike physical stores, a website is always available for customers and allows them to browse your offerings, read reviews, and contact you anytime. It can give you an advantage over businesses that rely only on offline interactions.

Tip: If your business does have a website but without a blog, make sure to create one. That’s because it increases your chances of ranking higher on search engines by 434%.

Can Reach a Global Audience

Once your business has a digital presence, it’s no longer limited to just local customers. A website allows you to reach people from different cities, states, or even countries to increase your customer base.

You just need to make sure that you follow the right SEO, social media integration, and online marketing techniques. It’ll allow you to attract visitors from all over the world to grow your business, which is not possible with just a physical store.

Practical Tips to Build a Website for Your Small Business

If you’re finally planning to build a website for your business, you can use these tips to make the process easy.

• Select the Right Website Builder: Usually, it’s a smart move for small businesses to use a website builder instead of hiring developers because it can save time and reduce costs. You can check out this detailed guide on website builders for small businesses by Cybernews to choose the right option.
• Use Consistent Branding: Using consistent colors and fonts on your website is critical because it allows people to recognize your brand easily.
• Don’t Ignore Responsiveness: Recent statistics show that 98% of people use mobile devices to access the internet. So, it’s important to make your website responsive so that it works properly on all screen sizes.
• Perform SEO: Don’t forget to optimize your content for search engines to improve its visibility and attract organic traffic.
• Ensure Fast Loading Speed: Slow website speed is one of the biggest reasons behind high bounce rates. Ideally, your website should load within 2-3 seconds to keep visitors engaged.
• Add Calls to Action: Add clear and compelling CTAs (Calls to Action) to your website, especially on the landing pages. It’s one of the best ways to encourage your visitors to take action.

Final Words

A website is not just an online place to showcase what services or products your business offers. It’s your business’s digital identity that can help you build credibility and gain customer trust by addressing their pain points.

It also provides you with opportunities to compete with industry giants, reach a global audience, and grow your business. Lastly, don’t forget to follow the practical tips listed above to build the website that your business deserves.