In this ‘digital’ age, it’s not only important to have a website, it’s important to have the right information at the right time when your customers are looking. But why is having a website important?
Customers Can Find You Online
Customers find your business in all different ways as you most likely already know. What you may not know is the source drivers. Google sees over 70% online search traffic and among the traffic that comes through Google, 68% of clicks happen on the first page with very few clicks to the second page of Google. Your website is a very large factor to showing up on Google in the first place, and ideally on the first page. If your website isn't optimized properly for Google, you may not be getting the traffic you could be getting.
A Website is an Extension of Your Store
You don’t want your potential customers questioning whether you’re in business still or that the information you have is accurate and up-to-date, do you? Think about your website as an engagement tool, a place for you to share all of your products or services you’re offering clients whether you’re a brick-and-mortar or simply an online store. Your website should show the most important information necessary for your client to know, such as your business’s brand, location, services, products, contact information, your story and what makes you unique as a business. It should hold all of your business details as the most up-to-date and accurate information so the experience is consistent whether a customer is looking at your website, speaking to your team on the phone, or are working with you in-person.
Customers Should Know You’re an Expert
It’s not exactly enough to tell your customers that you’re an expert. Your website is a place to share relevant industry news and have a place for customers to see what you’re doing on a day-to-day basis through photos and videos. Showcasing your expertise justifies to a customer you're the best business to provide them that product or service.
Your Website Tells Customers Who You Are
Customer interaction is so important even though most of the population is online. Not only are you showing you’re an expert but that that you’re a real business that values their customers. Talking about the origins of your company, how you came to be, how you’ve expanded or changed your business to meet the needs of your customers as well as what community involvement you have goes hand in hand with showing your expertise.
Quality Website Content Increases Brand Credibility
By showcasing your expertise as a brand and establishing you’re an authority in your industry not only gives you a credible appearance to your potential consumers, but it also tells Google you’re credible as well. This all goes along with being found online. You might think getting out the basic information is good enough for a website – unfortunately, while it’s a great start, there’s more to it than that. By having quality content that is specifically optimized for Google and incorporating frequently searched keyword phrases will increase both quantity and quality of your traffic resulting in the opportunity for more qualifying leads and you know what that means… more sales!
Your homepage, landing pages, and website in general needs to be clear, concise, user-friendly, and a combination of both visual and text with the right branded verbiage to navigate your customers and eventually turn them into leads.
Websites Provide a Business Functionality
Your website is an extension of your overall business and enables you to customize a variety of important business aspects such as design, branding, promotions, lead capturing, forms and email marketing. It sets the stage for working with your customers and gives you additional, operational flexibility that social outlets just can’t. For many, it’s also a tool to track business operations and sales all-in-one spot. Many small businesses show up on a social media outlet but the brand visibility for Google, professionalism, and features of a website give businesses the ownership to display and manage without restrictions of social media platforms.
'Your Customers Could be Visiting Your Competitors Website!
Sure, you might be happy with the traffic that your social outlets are bringing in, but what if you’re able to scale your business, grow your sales, and increase your overall traffic? This could bring in higher ticket pricing for products, higher-end clientele, and more financial freedom. If you don’t have a website or haven’t been consistently updating your website, you’re losing those potential leads to your competition. Customers are not likely to view one business before committing so you need to ensure that when customers are on your website, that you've done everything you can to keep them there and reaching out to you.
So, How Do you Improve your Website?
First thing is first - you need to do an evaluation of your website and online presence to determine what your priorities are. Ask yourself the following questions;
Have you updated your website within the last 6 months?
Is your home page clear, concise, and visual?
Are all of your products and services listed on your website?
Do you have Call-to-Actions?
Do you have pictures of yourself, your team, your business and relevant images pertaining to products or services?
Have you completed your SEO?
Do you have a blog?
If you've answer NO to ANY of these questions, it's time to start refreshing and optimizing your website. You can schedule a FREE consultation today or have a site audit completed through Ashley O'Brien Marketing to get help in evaluating your website and prioritizing next steps.