Why a Good Website is Essential For Small Businesses
Simply managing the daily operations of a small brick-and-mortar business is a lot of work in and of itself. When you add marketing and developing a business website to the mix, your to-do list can seem overwhelming.
But a good website is NOT something you can afford to skip out on in the twenty-first century.
In this blog, we…
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Define what we mean by a “good” website,
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And list the reasons why a website is critical for small businesses.
What is a “good” website?
There are 5 clear marks of a “good” website:
1. SEO-friendly content & structure
In the world of small business marketing, SEO (or Search Engine Optimization) has become extremely powerful. It refers to the process of ensuring your website appears high in search results on search engines like Google and Bing. To get this high ranking, your website content and layout must be strategically tailored to the search engine algorithms that sort through all content on the internet.
2. Simple user experience
The best small business websites are those that prioritize the experience their website offers potential customers. Your website should be visually engaging and make it easy for users to find the information they need.
3. Mobile responsiveness
Nearly 60% of the world’s website traffic comes from mobile devices. Your small business simply can’t squeeze by with a subpar website that doesn’t work well on mobile.
4. Overall helpfulness
More often than not, people come to your website looking for specific answers. What are your business hours? What’s on your menu? What services do you provide? Why should they trust YOUR business instead of your competitors? If your website doesn’t include the information your potential customers need, you are giving them extra reason to choose your competition.
5. Conversion-focused design
Ultimately, your website should serve as your very best salesperson. If your website visitors aren’t sold on your business when they first arrive on your website, they SHOULD be paying customers (or at least interested) by the time they leave it. With clear Calls-to-Action, a captivating design, and intriguing website copy, your website can secure more sales.
Why your small business needs a good website
A lot of small business owners don’t think a website is necessary if they don’t sell anything online. And many others go years without updating or giving a second thought to their website once created.
Yet, there are several compelling reasons to make your small business website a high priority:
Your customers are searching for you online.
Without a good, search engine optimized website, potential customers will have a hard time finding you. Say, for example, a loyal customer recommends your business to a friend. The friend may recall the name of your business. But odds are, they won’t have many more details than that. They will probably try to find your website for your contact information, address, and business hours. So, if your website doesn’t appear when they are searching for you, you will most likely lose that potential customer.
A website builds local visibility.
A good website and SEO strategy is possibly even more crucial for small local businesses than large scale companies. Why? Consumers often search for things like “restaurants near me” or “fayetteville nc electricians.” Small business owners who make sure their website is optimized for these local search queries pop up higher on Google’s search results page and ultimately gain more customers than their competitors.
Your competitors likely have a website (or will soon).
It’s become commonplace for businesses – large and small – to build a website to promote their products and services online. And it’s become increasingly important for businesses to invest in regular website maintenance. This means keeping information up-to-date, employing the most current SEO practices, and revamping the design from time-to-time. To stay competitive, consider making business website maintenance a part of your yearly budget.
It gives you credibility.
A professional looking website with information that is clear and easy to find will help build your online reputation. It supports the idea that your small business is dependable and on top of your marketing strategy. This makes consumers more likely to trust your products or services.
A website enhances customer service.
Many smart business owners use their websites as a platform to boost customer experience. They offer helpful resources and information through relevant monthly blogs. They provide important information front-and-center on key pages of their site. They make it easy for customers to browse products and service. When you focus special attention on your website’s user experience, website visitors will be more satisfied and more likely to become loyal customers.
Fayetteville-Cumberland Regional Entrepreneur & Business HUB – Small Business Resources
Have more questions about small business websites and marketing?
The team here at Fayetteville-Cumberland Regional Entrepreneur & Business HUB wants to help your small business succeed! That’s why we offer business development support and workshops to small business owners in the following North Carolina counties:
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Bladen County
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Columbus County
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Cumberland County
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Harnett County
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Hoke County
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Moore County
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Richmond County
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Robeson County
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Sampson County
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Scotland County
Learn more about our services and how to register.
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