We’ve come a long way since the first website went live in 1990. In the past 21 years, websites have gone from being niche oddities to everyday necessities. Today, there is a creative website design on just about every subject and for every use: from finding a designer for your wedding invitation to finding a problem to any solution that you might have. Yup, just about everyone and their dog has a website nowadays. So why shouldn’t you?
The truth is, no matter how small your business, a website is practically non-negotiable in any marketing mix. Here are the top six reasons you should have a website:
Be credible
A website shows that you are serious about your business, that you’re not just another flash in the pan. This is also the perfect place to give potential customers more information about your business and to give them a sense of who you are and what you stand for. Do not be shy to be different. Make use of creative designs and ways to grab your potential client’s attention.
Sale Sales Sales!
When looking for something specific, most people use the Internet as their first port of call. And, as with the lottery, you’ve got to be in it to win it. Your product or service may be superior, more creative, cheaper or better suited to their needs, but if they can’t Google you, chances are they won’t give you their business.
Growing your customer base
Running with the big dogs has never been as easy as it is today. Because sites aren’t ranked according to company size, one-man operations can now easily compete with multinational corporations. By making use of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), you can improve your site’s ranking. And once you’ve got them hooked, it’s just a question of reeling them in. A well-designed site can sway potential customers to use you instead of the big boys.
Save money
Advertising can be a costly business, especially when going the traditional route. There are more than 20 million potential customers online right now… why not market to them? A website is essentially an ad for your business that runs all day, every day!
Save time
Every business has Frequently Asked Questions: “What are the dimensions of this product?” “How long will delivery take?” or “Can I have that in red?”. By answering these questions on your website you will have more time to focus on other aspects of your service delivery. A well-designed website will make it easy for your customers to get the information they need, when they need it.
Be in touch
With a website, your business is available 24/7. This means your customers can look at your goods or services when it’s most convenient for them, even at three in the morning! You can also build up a database by getting customers to register on your website. You can then use their contact details to inform them of promotions you might be running, or just to send regular newsletters to maintain top-of-mind awareness.
Keep it up!
Merely having a website is not enough. Just as a real shop needs to have a revamp every once in a while, so does your virtual shop front. If your website is looking like a tribute to the 1980’s, it might be time for a change! In 2011 we’ll see more user interaction a la Web 2.0, clean, straightforward designs that improve loading times and single page layouts that encapsulate all the important details about your business.
So, whether you are designing a new website or updating an existing one, your web designer will help you develop an online presence that will work for your business!
For more info and tips for website design and graphic design that works for you, contact Creative Piranha or click here to download your FREE guide:
www.creativepiranha.com/free-guide
