Does my business need a website?

Does your business need a website?

Many business owners question whether they need a website for their business. Most people wouldn't believe that it’s common for business owners to delay that process. Many business owners hesitate to create a website because they don’t have enough time. They don't have enough time to involve themselves in that process. They don't have enough time to create the content. They don't have enough time to invest in themselves. Creating a website for your business is a project in itself. Whether it is a DIY project or you're hiring out. To answer the question “Does my business need a website?”, yes, it definitely does.

Creating a website for your business is beneficial for you and your customers.

Here is a list of the benefits:

Benefit #1:

A website creates more freedom (time) by automating your business online.

Benefit #2:

Creating a website for your business increases your brand awareness and customer reach.

Benefit #3:

A website for your business increases your profits and conversion rates.

Benefit #4:

Having a website for your business helps increase your reputation with your customers.

Benefit #1: A website for your business creates more freedom.

Many people and business owners have the misconception that a website is more of a “want” than a “need”. But I am here to clarify that misunderstanding. A website for your business is, to put in simple terms, a necessity. Why is a website for your business a necessity? Well, for one, creating a website for your business creates more freedom(time) for you. A website for your business eliminates having to take orders through the phone. Wouldn’t you feel a little more at ease sending your customer your website? Imagine the time constriction you have by taking an extra 30 minutes to write down your customer’s information. Or having to give them your Paypal or Cashapp information. You would have to explain what your product is, how beneficial it is, and countless other questions your customers may have. Creating a website for your business would completely eliminate that hassle.

There are a few people who may think, “isn’t that how business is?” The short answer to that is: No. There are different variations and levels when it comes to businesses.

For example,

New business owners, most likely don’t have all the time in the world to go through that process of taking orders from their customers. There are many parts of their business that requires more of their attention, and taking orders from their customers is not on that list. I am not saying that personally taking orders from your customers is a bad or wrong thing. I am simply saying that there are far more efficient ways of going about that process. Running a business is a full-time job and then some. If you are worried that your customers will be taken aback by your new process, don’t think about it too much. Your customers will understand that you are human. And that you are simplifying the process for them, just as much as you are for yourself.

How does creating a website for your business create more freedom?

Creating a checkout process on your website.

This eliminates taking orders over the phone.

Creating a FAQs page on your website.

This will help answer all the questions your customers may have.

Creating a product page for your products on your website.

Doing so will increase conversion rates because they can see the product.

Creating an account page for your customers on your website.

This will help with the product, payments, shipping, and subscription information.

Creating a Bookings page on your website.

This will help with any scheduling conflicts or misunderstandings. (Your available times are be listed)

Creating a pricing page on your website.

Doing so will answer any of your customers' questions about the costs of your products.

Creating a services page on your website.

This will help give your customers more understanding of what it is you have to offer.

There are many ways in which creating a website for your business creates more freedom for you. I have only listed a few because the list can go on. (Endless possibilities)

Benefit #2 + #3:

A website for your business increases your :

Brand awareness
Customer reach
Conversion rates
Profits

Many business owners struggle to find customers to buy their products or services. If that is you, then creating a website for your business is the perfect solution for you. If you are like me, then, you may be asking yourself one of three questions:

“How does a website increase my brand awareness?”
“How does a website increase my customer reach?”

And most importantly,

“Does brand awareness and customer reach make my business profitable?”

These are all great questions to ask. Especially when considering whether you should create a website for your business.

What is Brand Awareness?

Let’s start off by defining what brand awareness means. If you are new to the business industry or simply have not heard of the term before then, you are in the right place. Brand Awareness is when consumers are familiar with your brand or company. Consumers are customers, prospects, buyers, and people in general.

For example:

when you see the bright red and yellow Mcdonald's logo, you already know it’s Mcdonald's. When you walk past someone who is eating fries, you already know it’s Mcdonald's by the smell of it.

How does a website increase your brand awareness?

If people recognize your logo or product then, you already have great brand awareness. Brand Awareness plays a huge role in business because it goes hand to hand with psychology. It may seem like psychology is not a part of the business realm but that is far from the truth. An important factor when creating your business is people. What types of people will buy your product or service? What demographics will the majority of your customers have? What do you want your customers to feel when they go into your business location? How do you want them to feel when buying your product? Do you want repeat customers or one-time customers? All these questions are essential to think of when establishing your business – both online and in the physical world.

This may sound unorthodox, but:

A website for your business helps create a fantasy world for your customers. Your goal is to give your customers an experience that they wouldn’t receive in the physical world. And sometimes, what they would expect in the physical world. Imagine walking into the mall and seeing big, red, flashy, sales signs everywhere. Imagine seeing lots of smiling, and laughing people inside different stores. Imagine, they greet you as you walk through the door and gave you discounts for being a member. You would feel important. You would feel like that specific store or environment was welcoming. You would smile, even if you were having a bad day. Why? Because, that store, those employees, those products made you feel.

From the colors of the products, to the discounts you received, to the smiles that you saw – it all influenced you into feeling something good. When you create your website, you want to replicate that same thing. Your job as a business owner is to use your website to influence your customers. Your website should guide them, and influence them into making the right decision – which would be purchasing your product or service. Not because you told them to, nor convinced them to, but because your website made them feel like it.

That my friend is how psychology plays a huge role when it comes to business and brand awareness.

All in all, your website will increase your brand awareness because it will make your customer feel. The crucial part is influencing them to feel something positive, uplifting, and empowering. Rather than them feeling frustrated because they can't order your product, or have no way of contacting you.

Always remember:

Your brand awareness will depend on your website. So, your profits will depend on how your website makes your customers feel.

How does a website increase your customer reach and profits?

There are plenty of ways to increase your customer reach. Creating a website for your business is by far the way to further increase your customer reach. Without having a website for your business, your customer reach limits to local people and word of mouth. If your business is already receiving local orders or, if your business is in an oversaturated market, then creating a website for your business should be your next step.

Creating a website for your business helps increase your chances of people from all around the world buying your product. Imagine being a business owner in America, and receiving an order from someone in Canada. For one, that would be a pretty exciting experience. You would most likely feel like a proud and accomplished business owner. You would then be able to label your product or service as sold “World Wide” – wouldn’t that boost your confidence? Furthermore, your profits would increase since your customer reach has more than doubled.

Increasing your customer reach by creating a website is imperative when operating a business. After all, the business world is a numbers game. What do I mean by that?

For example:

Let’s say your business resides in a city that has a population of about 10,000 people. Your customer reach would be about 10,000 people without having a website. Of that 10,000, about 2,000 people know, heard, or have seen your business. So if we put a number to your Brand Awareness (for this example) then it would be at 2,000 people. Out of those 2,000 people, 25% (500) are or have been a customer. That means your conversion rates are at 25% without a website. Let’s say each of those customers purchased a product from you that costs 50 (USD). You made about 25,000(USD) in your first year. It cost you about 10,000 (USD) to get your business setup, and for stock inventory. So you profited about 15,000(USD) in your first year as a single business owner. Again, that is without having a website.

Now let’s say the following year, you finally decided to create a website for your business. Instead of your customer reach being limited to local people, it is now at 12.79 million people. (The population of your state). Then, you hired a digital advertising company to make digital ads and establish your online presence. Your brand awareness is now at about 1 million people. Out of that million, your conversion rate went down to 1%. But, since your customer reach and brand awareness drastically increased, that means your customer count also increased to about 10,000 customers in your second year. So you made about 500,000 (USD) in revenue for that year. Your business and marketing costs and employee payroll totaled out to about 400,00(USD). Your total profits for that year would be 100,000 (USD), which is over 6x what you made the year before. So you would have made a 600% profit increase all because you decided to create a website and invest in your business.

Please keep in mind that the example above was solely for hypothetical purposes. I attempted to give a real-life scenario. Creating a website for your business can increase your brand reach and substantially increase your profits. You are one decision away from a completely different life – choose wisely.

Ways to increase your customer reach and brand awareness with your website (DIYs):

Creating a Google Business
Creating paid digital ads on Google, FaceBook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter
Connecting your website to your social medias
Creating blogs on your website
Creating YouTube, Tiktok, Instagram, and Facebook videos (vlogging)
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) **Most Importantly**

I hope that I answered your question on how brand awareness and brand reach can make your business profitable. With the right team, the right choices, and the right website, you can take your business to a whole new level.

Benefit #4: Creating a website for your business makes you look more professional.

As a business owner, looking professional should be one of your top priorities. A website for your business will not only make you stand out from the crowd but also, give your customers a sense of security. If you take payment through Paypal, Venmo, or even cash, it takes away from the quality of your product or service. If you are starting out as a business owner or entrepreneur, then that is perfectly fine. In order for your customers to respect you and your business, you have to look and dress the part. A crucial part of the business is not just the quality of your product. Everything that happens from A to Z is what matters. So, the way you accept payments is an important part of your brand identity.

Remember:

Small details are important. They are what will turn someone from a prospect, to a lead, to a contact, and finally, to a happily paying customer.

What is a prospect?

A prospect is an individual who fits your criteria of being a customer. They fit your customer profile and demographics. And most importantly, they have the means to buy your product or service. In other words, they have the potential to become your customer but have yet to engage with you or your company.

What is a lead?

A lead is an individual that has engaged with your company. They have an interest in learning more about your product, service, or company.

For example:

They liked your ad post on social media.
They read your blog from your website.
They clicked through your website.

What is a contact?

A contact is someone who has opted into a form on your website or sales funnel. They most likely input their contact information when inquiring more about your product. They may even be someone whom you have engaged with that has expressed their interest in your product.

What is a customer?

A customer is an individual that paid for your product or service. They were converted from a prospect to a paying customer.

Converting your prospects can be a tricky yet simple process. Let's say your prospect has noticed your posts on social media. But they did not buy your product. Why? They would have preferred to order through your website. Or your prospect liked the content they were seeing on social media. After seeing your website they found something of interest. There are many “what ifs” and “maybes” that are possible when it comes to business. It’s your job to attempt to be one step ahead. Creating a website for your business increases your potential to always be one step ahead in business.

In order for you to play the part, you have to act and look the part – that includes creating a website for your business. Trust me, your customers will thank you in the long run. Looking professional will increase your potential to convert your prospects into paying customers. And ultimately make your business profitable – it's inevitable.

Your business needs a website – it's a necessity.

Without a website, you could be losing out on tons of opportunities. A website significantly increases your customer reach and your brand awareness. It’s time to make your business profitable by creating a website that your customers will love. Make the right decision for your business today by establishing an online business. After all, it’s 2022, and all established, and well-known businesses have a website.

So, does your business need a website?

YES.

Increase your profits by going digital – it’s that simple.

What we covered:

Benefits of creating a website for your business
What is Brand Awareness?
What is Customer Reach?
What is a Lead?
What is Prospect?
What is a Contact?
What is a Customer?
How to make profits with your website?
Ways to increase your customer reach (DIYs)