3 important reasons you need a website now to grow your business
If you’re a freelancer or a small business owner, I see you. You’re busy trying to figure out the business side of things: marketing, generating leads, accounting…the list goes on.
Then there’s the thing that drives you. The reason you’re even doing all of this, whether that’s making a product or providing a service that adds value to your clients’ lives.
With everything else you have to take care of, you might not think a website is worth the time. Or maybe you don’t know where to start, and you feel overwhelmed before you even begin.
I try to keep a lot of balls in the air to run my web design business and succeed at it. Fortunately, the things I’m already good at – web design and marketing – help me spend my time and money efficiently as I grow my business.
I’ll share with you how getting a strong website can help you grow your business too.
A website helps you build trust
Having a website gives your business instant credibility and sets you apart from your competition. This is especially true if they don’t have websites or have poorly designed sites.
Better still if you have a branded email address. (For example, you can email The Designist Studio at hello@thedesignist.studio.)
Having a well-designed website helps build trust among potential clients. The more trust someone has in you, the more likely they are to purchase what you have to offer.
A website also offers the opportunity for you to establish yourself as a voice of authority in your industry.
Build your reputation as an expert at what you do. Add videos, podcasts, webinars, social media integrations, and other assets to your website.
Develop a positive reputation by featuring customer testimonials that further develop trust in you.
Keep in mind: to get the most from your website, it’s important to have a clean design that is mobile-friendly and aligns with your brand. And don’t forget relevant and fresh content!
A website helps your business remain accessible after hours (or during a pandemic)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, retail sales in Canada dropped drastically. However, more people started shopping from home for products and services, and online sales have boomed.
Businesses that were already online, and those who moved online quickly, have benefitted during a troubling time.
Increasingly, we use websites to research things we want or need. We search for solutions to problems, compare prices, and get trusted information about businesses. All this happens before we commit to spending any money.
Maybe you’re limited by pandemic restrictions or simply by your business hours. Either way, your website is a customer service representative that potential clients have access to all the time.
A website is crucial if you don’t have a physical location (or can’t open to customers). It allows you to communicate important information about your business, the products and services you offer, and how to contact you.
Use website features that allow visitors to contact you, sign up for events, schedule appointments, and purchase directly from you, even if you’re not open (or even awake).
A website will grow your business
The most important reason to have a website is that it is critical to growing your business.
Today, having a well-designed website that is mobile-friendly and accessible will help you find new clients. It can simplify and optimize your marketing efforts, and keep customers coming back.
One of the best ways to keep attracting new clients is to be visible in search engine results. Remember that most people will look up a business or service online before they make a purchase decision. You need to be visible on Google so your dream clients can find you.
Whether you choose to build and maintain a website yourself or to invest in hiring an expert, you can keep the costs within your budget.
Ultimately, investing in a great website will be worth all the potential clients who can now find you online. It’s also simpler and cheaper than traditional advertising.
You can’t afford to not have a website if you want to stay competitive, find more clients, and make more money.
Those numbers jumped to 25 million Canadians spending $64.5 billion in 2019.
30.1 million are expected to spend upwards of $108 billion in 2023!
Getting a well-designed website for your business doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, not making the investment can cost you both time and money. There has never been a better or more important time to invest in a website for you to stay competitive and grow your business.
Resources
1. Looking for insightful data on how Canadian e-commerce has evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic? I recommend checking out Statistic Canada’s article Retail e-commerce and COVID-19: How online shopping opened doors while many were closing.
