Why you Need a Website for your Small Business (AD)

This post was written in collaboration with Content Mother.

Regardless of the specifics of your small business, a website can help your business to develop and prosper. By delivering strong marketing messages through the power of a website you will be able to promote positive customer relationships and generate potential new customers!

Your customers are all online

The number of consumers that go online to find local businesses has jumped to 97% in recent years. If you want them to choose your company, you need to be found online and you want your website to be at the top of the list. It’s not surprising then, that digitally advanced small businesses have been found to earn two times as much revenue per employee! Consumers expect companies to have an online presence and will consider a company that doesn’t have one to be less established. Silky Ocean Studios specialise in web site hosting to suit a small business.

A website is a marketing asset

Your website is your number one marketing asset. Your website can be accessed from anywhere, at any time. We live in an age of NOW, and your (potential) consumers want information immediately—a well designed website can answer these questions 24/7. A website is often the first point of contact between a business and a potential customer, therefore, it is your best opportunity to make a good first impression. A great website is like a great salesperson: always on, always looking their best, capable of answering hundreds every day.

Customers want to engage with a business

According to the LSA (Local Search Association) 63% of consumers primarily use a company’s website to find and engage with businesses. Here are some steps you can take to ensure that customers enjoy engaging with your website:

Identify your target audience. By identifying your target audience, you can better design your website to their specific wants and needs.
Create new content. The more you update your content the more likely your readers are to come back to your website.
Have a call to action. Whether you want people to share their thoughts, sign up to your newsletter or buy your product. Aim to have at least one outcome you want from each page or post.
Be contactable. There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to find the contact details of a business you want to get in touch with. Have a specific context page and make it clearly accessible.

New income opportunities

Regardless of your business and whether or not your business has a ‘product’ to sell, a website can open new income opportunities. Affiliate marketing for example, will allow you to earn a commission for sales that are made when your readers use your link to make a purchase.

Another option for income generation is through paid advertising such as banner ads. There are different ways you can go about adding advertising to your website. You could set up your own advertising package, or offer a specific ad space on the banner, side bar or footer of your site (another reason you need to make your contact details clear).

Planning for success

If you’re thinking of starting a small business not only is a website crucial but you also need a plan. You could try enrolling in a course that will set you up for success.

Every business needs to have a business plan. Whether it’s to provide direction or attract investors, a business plan is vital for the success for your organisation. Some important aspects to consider when creating a business plan are market/competitive analysis, breakdown of products/services, and organisational goals.