Business Beat
12 Reasons Why Small Businesses Need a Website By Brett Farmiloe In the last few years, there has been an active push for consumers to “shop local” and support small businesses, and that is largely made possible through the internet. Being able to have an online storefront and market to customers outside of your geographic area is a huge opportunity for many entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. For all of these reasons, it is important that every small business have a website. Having a strong online presence can truly be a make or break for any business. We’ve asked 12 small business leaders how important having a website is to them and what opportunities it has created for their organizations. Keep reading to learn how a website can take your business to the next level! Following are thoughts from business owners on what a website means to them: It’s the Welcome Mat
The website is the gateway, door, and welcome mat of a business. It should educate the consumer as well as elicit emotion. It is the very first impression that will be made on the consumer and can determine with certainty whether or not the consumer will continue engagement. -Michael Herion, Carrot Eye Center It Shows You Actually Exists
A small business needs a website to drive business in today’s digital world. Without a website, you give up much, if not most, of your potential business because consumers will not be able to learn anything about you or your business’s offerings. If not for anything else, a website will show your audience that you really do exist. -Court Will, Will & Will
for suspicion and you will not be able to convert as many sales as you would if you have a more stable digital presence. Customers will seek you out online and having a website is one of the criteria for determining trustworthiness. -Liz Riggleman, Arrowlift It Allows You to Compete
products or use their services. When potential customers are searching for a product or service, you want your website available for them to click on. You want them to see a clean functional website that makes you feel like your business is the right choice for them. A website represents your brand in the digital space and without it, it would be difficult to have a strong online brand presence. -Rex Murphy, Montauk Services People Need to Find You on Google
In today’s digital world, people turn to Google to find practically anything and everything. From answers to questions to products and services near them. Search engines play an important role in the online success of businesses. Without a website, potential customers will be unable to find you in their searches. Creating a central location to store your address, your phone number, a contact form, a products/ service list, prices, etc. will open the door for people to find your business online. -Kayla Centeno, Markitors
It Shows Potential Clients If Your Business Is the Right Fit
Increase in Business Credibility
A small business needs to have a platform that accurately represents who they are and why people should buy their
Having a website increases your business credibility. In our digital age, not having a website for your business is grounds
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Every business should have a website for the same reason you plant a seed. Getting a website is the first step toward putting your business in an environment where it can thrive. It allows you to promote your product, build credibility, distinguish yourself, and quite frankly - compete. If you’re not on the internet these days, you’re not being competitive and you will miss out on opportunities, even from loyal customers. If your customers can’t find you, they will find someone else. -Sydney Stern Miller, Tech Talent South It Expands Your Physical Location
Websites are one of the best investments in serendipity you can make. Here’s what I mean: when you operate from a single location, your presence tends to be restricted to where you are. With a website, you might reach people in other countries or on the other side of the world. Some of these people may become customers, investors, or suppliers; and they never would have found you if you didn’t have a website. -Tasia Duske, Museum Hack It Is a Reflection of the Service You Will Provide
A small business should utilize a website in order to effectively reach its client base and be able to react and communicate timely and effectively to its current and prospective clients. Moreover, today’s consumers utilize websites not only to identify businesses with which to conduct a transaction but also to gauge the trust-
