This blog came about when one of my customers asked me whether there was any point keeping her website going. She didn’t seem to get much traffic to it so should she concentrate on social media instead?
Her business is very niche and very visual so she’ll probably get more from clients following her on Instagram or Facebook.
Even though most of her business will be through social media, there are very good reasons why it’s still worth keeping a website online. Whatever your business.
You’re a ‘proper’ business
Even though anyone can put up a website it still feels like you’re a genuine business if you have one.
What’s the first thing you do after you google a business? Chances are you’ll check out their website. Would you trust a business without one?
A website is a 24 hour shop window
You never know when people might be looking for your business or even which time zone. Your website is always open and always there for potential customers to browse. Social media allows you to find out about the personality of your business but your website allows you to give your customers the information they need easily – products, services, prices etc
Answer customer questions quickly
Have a FAQ page so people can find the answers to their questions quickly and easily. Especially useful if you keep getting asked the same questions over and over again.
Customers can get to know the real you
Social media can show a lot about a business but an About page can go into detail about how and why you set your business up and how exactly you can help people.
People buy from people and will research a business to find out whether they might be a good fit for them. You have your super customer and will want to attract them to work with you.
Promote your blog and your expertise
A blog can help your business in many ways – drive traffic to your website, showcase your expertise and help your customers with tips and advice. You can then use your blog for lots of other marketing. See my blog here >> 10 things to do with your blog after you hit publish
Add social media icons and make it really easy for people to share what they like.
Control your online reviews
How many times have you been swayed by a good review? Get some great testimonials from your clients and put them up on your website. Sure people can leave reviews on social media or Google (and that’s great) but on your website you can ask the right questions and get the right answers.
Your competitors will have a website
When your potential customers Google your products or services, guess whose business will pop up if you don’t have a website? Yep, your competitors.
So don’t make it easier for your competitors to poach your potential customers – create a level playing field!
Google can find you
And if Google can find you so can your customers. Most people now go online to find or research a local business so make sure you come up on the search results.
Add keywords into your text and images and some basic seo to help boost your ranking.
Social media can be fickle
Even if most of your business is done on social media, be wary. Accounts can be closed down, algorithms change and what seems to be working one week might not work the next. Customers might tire of particular platforms or take a break from social media altogether. But your website is always out there.
You control your branding
Most importantly, a website can give you control over your image and branding, using your logo, brand colours, fonts and images. When potential customers drop onto your website they can get a really good feel what you and your business are all about.
They’ll see your logo and brand and hopefully start to recognise it when they see it pop up in other places, such as social media or leaflets.
And finally
Your website doesn’t have to be all singing and dancing but some presence is useful. If most of your business is done on social media you can always direct website visitors there. But don’t lose an opportunity to tempt a potential customer by not having a website.
How about you? How important is your website to your business? Let me know in the comments.
Liz x
