This is going to be the most “DUH!” post we’ve written on this blog. I get that. But the reason for writing it is simple: many business owners (and even individual brands) don’t understand the importance of investing in an attractive, functional website for their business!
The internet has completely changed the world, yet there are still non-believers in its importance. It’s absolutely mind-boggling to me, but maybe it’s because my team and I see the benefits of great websites every single day.
That said, I’ve compiled an exhaustive list of the many reasons a brand needs to have a website; and not just any website, but a website that achieves desired outcomes. Whether it’s to sell a product, report on news/ current events, blog on industry-specific content- it doesn’t matter. A website can help every single business in every single industry on this planet. I dare you to convince me otherwise.
Read on to find 20 reasons your brand needs a great website, and drop me a line if you have any feedback or want to contend my points- I expect this post to ruffle some feathers 🙂
1. A Website is a 24/7 promo tool.
Even your best sales or marketing person has to sleep sometimes. The good news is, your website doesn’t. While you’re in the Caribbean with the family, or at your kid’s parent-teacher conference, your website is promoting you. It’s always accessible, and there are no geographical boundaries, meaning all time-zones are in play.
2. Value-added.
If you invest significant enough time, effort, and money developing your website and can reasonably expect to derive future value from it, then your site is an intangible asset. Remember, bad credit is sometimes worse than having no credit, so if you’re going to do it, do it right.
3. Connect with visitors- anytime, anywhere.
Without a website, you may never have received an email from Paola in Ecuador or Luc in Cameroon. Lucky for you, your website is available 24/7 to those that need what you have to offer.
4. Press Releases and updates.
Your website allows you to let the world know what you’re up to. Important industry updates, media attention, or awards are great ways to expand your brand and tell people about your business.
5. No rules.
Your website is your playground- say what you want, include what you want, tweak and test different ideas. You have complete freedom to paint the blank canvas and you’re only limited by your imagination.
6. Expanded reach.
As I’ve stated before, you’re no longer limited to your geographic location. This means that you’re competing on a larger scale, but your audience is bigger than ever before- you can’t get much bigger than the entire online world of 3 billion people, can you?
7. Creates authenticity.
I don’t know about you, but I think it’s odd when I meet someone that doesn’t have Facebook or Instagram. Likewise, I certainly won’t buy from a brand that I can’t find online. Your site is basically your “I’M LEGITIMATE!” announcement.
8. Meshes with future trends.
People like to research before buying, and commerce is rapidly moving online while brick-and-mortar businesses struggle to thrive. Having a website is a great way to ensure a bright future for your business.
9. Increases credibility.
If you have a website, it shows that you either a) put the time in to create one, or b) care enough about your business/brand to invest in one. Either way, you become more credible.
10. Compete with… everyone.
Much like your expanded audience reach, you’re no longer relegated to competing with local small businesses. If you’re good enough, you can compete with the big guys in your industry, strictly because of your expanded reach.
11. Announce yourself.
It’s hard enough to make sales (if that’s your goal) without sabotaging yourself. The worst thing that can happen is having internet users search for you and not be able to find you. Even worse: if they can’t find you, they’ll find a competitor who can offer the same product/service.
12. Brag and/or show-off.
Your website can be like a resume: you can include testimonials, a portfolio, videos, etc. No matter your industry, a website can help you showcase your talent.
13. Better customer service.
Gone (well, almost gone) are the days of calling customer service hotlines and waiting on hold for 20 minutes. Your site allows visitors and customers to leave comments, reviews, and contact you via email and forms that gives them peace-of-mind and allows you to respond rather quickly.
14. Qualified traffic.
It’s GREAT to get website traffic. It’s even better to get TARGETED website traffic. Invest in SEO as a continuous optimization of your website. This will allow people searching for your product/service on search engines to find you. Sometimes it’s better to get 100 interested visitors than 1,000 indifferent visitors.
15. Collect email addresses.
Depending on your offer, your email list can be your highest converting marketing tactic. Offer your visitors something of value just for coming to your site, and request their email addresses in order to access the value. This will allow you to shoot them email updates, blog posts, press releases, etc.
16. It’s not rocket science.
If you have the time, you can use website builders for next-to-nothing. You could also invest in professionals (ahem, like Lexco, ahem) to create a stunning site in as little as a few hours. It’s not difficult at all, so take the necessary steps and it WILL pay off.
17. Better communication.
You can add a website email address, which increases credibility with whomever you communicate with. You don’t want to use alcoholaddict2009@gmail.com from college as your sole means of business communication, right?
18. Grab your customer’s attention.
Marketing and sales is all about attention- get the attention of your ideal customers with a great website that showcases your talent. If you aren’t everywhere your ideal customers are, then you’re missing out on a valuable audience.
19. Best your competition.
In 2016, nearly half of small businesses didn’t have a website. Just investing in even the most basic of websites will give you a leg-up over your competitors.
20. We’ll do all the work for you.
Shameless plug: work with Lexco, tell us what you need, and we’ll do all the rest. Then you just sit back and reap the benefits of increased web traffic, greater lead flow, and instant authority/credibility.
If anyone can come up with 20 good reasons for anything, you can bet safely that it’s pretty legitimate. If you takeaway nothing else from this article, just remember that a strong website can be an invaluable resource for your brand and/or business.
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