Digitalization? Nothing! A surprising number of small businesses still have no or only a rudimentary website. They also? Then you should take action – and secure these advantages for yourself.
Amazing: More than half of entrepreneurs without a website are of the opinion that they do not need their own online presence. The remaining respondents justify their abstinence from the Internet by saying that they lack the specialist knowledge to create and maintain a company website. At the same time, it is too expensive for them to entrust a professional with this task.
Another figure shows that the effort is worthwhile: 93 percent of the entrepreneurs surveyed with their own website are satisfied with their digital presence. At the same time, however, they also see opportunities for improvement: They state that they have problems acquiring customers and opening up new sales channels for their company. In addition, many of them receive inquiries via the website that do not match the services of their company.
But what are the advantages of investing in a good website?
Reason 1: A website draws customers’ attention to your company.
Today, anyone who wants to buy something or is looking for a service provider often searches the Internet. Companies whose homepages are displayed on Google therefore have a better chance of attracting customers. And if you don’t have a professional website, you may lose customers to the competition.
In addition, satisfied customers can simply send friends and acquaintances a link to the company homepage if they want to recommend the company to others.
Reason 2: Your company can be reached at any time via a website.
Advertising campaigns only make a company’s information and messages available to the general public for a short period of time. A website is different: once it has been created, it can be accessed at any time. For example, customers can find out around the clock when a store is open, what it offers or how best to get there.
Customers can also get rid of feedback and questions at any time. Because unlike by telephone, a company can always be reached by email.
Reason 3: A website offers space for comprehensive information.
From the company’s history and services to references and pictures: companies have a lot to tell. However, space is limited for advertisements, radio spots or posters. On a website, on the other hand, companies can provide all information that is important to them. Especially in the case of products or services that require explanation, this offers the opportunity to present all the advantages of the offer in detail. This is also possible in thick glossy brochures or catalogs – but they are quickly outdated (see 5) and therefore much more expensive.
Reason 4: A good website makes your company look modern.
For many customers, a company’s website is the first point of contact with a company. If you want to make a good first impression, you should have a neat and contemporary online presence. If a company has no or a completely outdated website, this can put customers off.
Reason 5: You can easily communicate new features via a website.
In a company, nothing stays as it is for long. Whether new offers, changed contact persons or extended opening times: Customers can be informed about such innovations via the company’s website. If the page was created with a content management system such as WordPress, Joomla or Contao, entrepreneurs can even make simple text changes themselves. That saves the costs for a service provider.
Reason 6: A website can be used as an additional sales channel.
Anyone who integrates an online shop into their website creates a completely new sales channel for their products. This gives local dealers the opportunity to expand their catchment area, for example: They can also reach customers outside the region – or even worldwide – via the Internet.
