Do You Need A Website For Your Business?
If you are just opening your business, you may be asking yourself when the right time is to invest in a professional website, is it worth it, and how do I even begin. No worries, sis. Hopefully I can help answer some of your questions and these answers may surprise you!
Let’s jump right in and tackle the VALUE a website can bring your business.
Credibility
A professional website is more than just a nice-to-have for your business, it can be a valuable asset that will help your business grow. Chances are there are several providers offering a similar service to yours and data tells us around 71% of small businesses have a website. A professional site with a clean, clear design means you are perceived as a credible business and can set you apart from the shop up the street. (Forbes, Fit Small Business)
84% of today’s consumers think a website makes your business more credible than companies who only have social media profiles. Second thinking that Facebook business page now, amiright?
New Customers Can Find You
Having a website will attract new customers to your business and make you more money. People don’t just browse the Internet to discover companies they want to do businesses with; more specifically, they search for products and services they need on search engines like Google. 93% of all online experiences begin with a search engine, and nearly half of these searches are for local businesses.
Let’s put ourselves in consumer shoes, shall we? I don’t know about you but if I am searching for a product or service and my search results only link to a Facebook page, I move right on by to the next legitimate website. So, you need to have a search-optimized company website that can rank well in search engine results. This will ensure consumers are able to find, and connect with, your business. (Vivial)
It Saves you Time
Time is money, but it something you can never buy back. Having a professionally designed website will help you save money and time, which you can invest into growing your business instead. You can use your website to provide additional value to your visitors. Are you often asked "How do I do XYZ? or what are the best products/services to solve this problem I'm having? In addition to the common questions you are asked, you can also add automated service booking, e-commerce, and even automate some of those tedious tasks with the help of your website. Can you imagine earning income while you were on vacation? Yes please!
I can feel what you’re thinking; “Yes, Kristi, I need and want all of these things but I am just starting out and I am not sure this is in the budget.” I got you. There are so many ways to get your website launched at an extremely affordable rate. Let’s chat about some of your options.
D.I.Y.
There are many web hosting platforms that are user-friendly and you can DIY your website, cutting the cost of hiring a designer. Using the cost analysis above, you could be looking at $236/year to launch your website and build it yourself on Squarespace. Some other extremely user-friendly website builders are Wix, Shopify, and GoDaddy. The point is to just get your website launched. Does it need to be perfect right away? NO. But do you need it like yesterday, absolutely.
Purchase a Template
Didn’t know that was a thing? A custom template can bring you the custom web design appearance, without the hefty price tag. Think of it as a step up from a DIY site. There are a ton of creatives out there selling templates these days and with most templates well under the $500 mark, this is an economical option if you’re not able to go all-in with a dedicated web designer. Keep in mind, this can involve some work on your part. Depending on the template shop, you will either get a done-for-you website template where all you need is your content plugged in and you’re set or you may get detailed instructions on how to build it yourself.
Here are some of my favorite Squarespace Template shops:
Squarestylist
Big Cat Creative
Ghost Plugins
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is, if you are running a business, you need a website A.S.A.P. But if you still aren’t sure which route to take, schedule a free consultation with me and let’s chat!