16/06/2017
It’s obvious how the Internet has changed our world today. In fact, in almost everything we do, we feel the need to consult it, especially as consumers. What time does this store open? Are they open on weekends? What is turmeric? What’s a good turmeric tea brand? Where can I get it? And so on and so forth. A 2014 Visa International study says close to 9 out of 10 Filipino shoppers, shop online. So if you have a small business and you still don’t have a website, consider these five rock solid reasons to rethink your strategy:
1. Competition
Say Shop A sells fantastic furniture but doesn’t have a website. Shop B sells okay furniture, but it has a website with professional pictures of its products, well-written descriptions, an impressive shop profile, a printable location map and a handy Order Now button. Here comes a newlywed couple, too busy to drive to a store and personally check out furniture. Which of the two shops will more likely make a sale? In a world full of Internet-dependent consumers, a website can be a game changer for any business.
2. Advertising
Small and medium business owners may frown on getting a website because they think it’s too expensive. Not at all! It’s actually one of the cheapest forms of advertisement, considering the Internet’s unparalleled popularity, reach and flexibility. Convey your brand value proposition, make changes to your information anytime, post pictures and videos – you can do all these and more AT NO EXTRA COST! Where else is that possible?
3. Credibility
You’ve surely heard of well-designed websites making an unforgettable first impression on visitors. With a website, you show how committed you are to your customers and your business, that you deserve their trust and confidence as you present your products and services, expound on your history, emphasize your expertise, and convince people that you are worth your salt. In short, it helps you establish credibility, which is always where it all boils down to.
4. Customer Relationships
A website will not only help you reach out to your market in a deeper and more useful way. It can also be an effective customer service tool. People can get in touch with you 24/7, and you can reply to them promptly and work on developing a real relationship with these people. Because customers are people too. They need to feel that you view them that way, that you are sincerely interested in them and in satisfying their needs. A website is a great place to start and nurture that relationship.
5. Relevance
We live in a fast-changing world, and what may be relevant today may be obsolete tomorrow. Let’s say you used to be the most popular burger place in town, until someone put up his own burger place and started serving exotic meat patties. Believe it or not, people can easily forget their old favorites when something new blazes in. With a website, you can keep engaging your customers and reminding them that you’re still there, coming on strong with what they always loved about you, plus your own innovations.
As a business owner, dismissing the benefits of a website comes easy. You know there are so many other costs to take care of for y our growing enterprise. But in this day and age when everything is insanely digital, it may be time to shift perspectives. It is time.
