If your main reason for creating a website is because “Every business needs a website!” Then don’t create one. The world does NOT need another mediocre website that even the company doesn’t care about.
However, if a website fits in line with your overall goals for your business, then your website will have direction, vision, and life.
Solid reasons businesses have for building an online presence:
- e-Commerce- If your business lends itself well to online sales and e-commerce then it just makes sense that your company needs a website where you can begin selling your goods and services.
- Content Control- Facebook Pages are great, Twitter accounts serve a function, but if you don’t control the platform, you don’t control the content. So what happens if next month Facebook decides businesses can’t display certain photos or ads? (It has happened before. Facebook tells you what you can and cannot display as your cover photo.) You don’t want your main online presence to be governed by another company. That’s like entering a boxing match with both hands literally tied behind your back. Free yourself!
- Brand Management- Along with the previous point, you want to control the images and messages people associate with your company. While you can do some of that on the various social platforms out there, you are in complete control of a website which you own.
- Lead Generation- Perhaps your business is one where you are not directly selling a product or service but you are generating leads to make offline sales. Real Estate is one arena where this is true. Most home buyers will not purchase a home online, but they will do a ton of research and then contact a broker to complete the transaction. If your website is especially useful to those home buyers, chances are good that they will contact you to help them complete their new home purchase.
- Appointment/Reservation Booking- When was the last time you booked a rental car with a phone call? My guess is that for years you have been making those reservations online as well as price comparison (another solid reason for building a website). When you provide a simple and easy way for people to make appointments and reservations online you increase your offline sales and traffic.
What’s Your Reason?
I’ve given you a few ideas here, but I don’t know your business. How does a website fit into your business strategy? Are you willing to invest regular and consistant time and resources into your online presence to create a website that is a huge asset to your business? Not sure if your business really needs a website? Leave a comment below and we’ll dialog with you about your particular situation.
