Small Business Websites

If you are a small or medium business owner without a website, you should have thought about the following questions: –

• Do I really need a website? What will it do for my business?
• What is a website for? My clients aren’t even going to take a look.
• Is it expensive to design a website? Is it really worth the investment?
• We are a local business. Social media works well for us. Why do we need a website?

Now this requires shedding some light on these doubts and misunderstandings about owning a website. The truth is no matter what size, all businesses need a website. However, that doesn’t mean that your business needs a complex website, with heavy functionality and rich graphics. Many companies do very well with a simple 4 to 5 page information site. A basic website includes: –

• A home page (with some basic information about your business)
• Products / Services Section
• Contact information page
• Customer testimonials.

So what is the added value here? Let’s see

• A simple way for prospects to learn about your business

Yes, you read that right. With the no. of mobile users surpassing desktop users in Africa, the Internet has replaced telephone directories, yellow pages and other printed media. Whenever a user wants to acquire information, their first action is to use Internet search on their mobile device. In addition, phone calls and voicemail for follow-up are a tedious process. Second, a website allows customers to easily become familiar with their pace at their own pace. This can give a boost to sales inquiries from your business. Also read 6 Know-how for a mobile-ready business.

• Cost optimization

The cost of web publishing is cheaper than print publishing Instead of rethinking your print media ads (banners, newspapers, magazines, etc.), business owners can post relevant updates on the website . You just have to redo the copy / caption and integrate it into the website. Therefore, business owners can save on a large amount of offline advertising costs.

• A point of contact for all your customers’ questions

Business owners can set up a FAQ section or a terms of service section on the website. In addition, a chat window or a contact form can allow visitors to interact directly with the customer support function.

• First impressions count!

First impressions count! A well-designed website acts as an extension of your brand. In fact, this can leave a positive impact on your prospects. An easy-to-use website, which answers all the implicit questions a potential customer may have, results in an accessible mindset.

Websites expand your reach!

Reach of consumers via the website This is a major advantage for companies able to sell their products and services beyond their own geography. A simple website optimized for search engines and social media can give these businesses greater visibility. As a result, organizations can respond to new customers from a different geography.

Better than social media alone

Reach of consumers via websites A website can serve as a hub for all the content you share on social media. There is a limit to what you can share on social media. Express your ideas without any constraints, then bookmark them on your favorite social platforms.

Achieve your business goals

For example, business owners can: –

• E-commerce by integrating a shopping cart
• Generate a list of professional contacts by subscribing to the newsletter
• Educate prospects via a blog

and much more. It may take a little thought to find an alignment between the business goals and the site, but the effort can lead to charming results.

Next steps…

The above points are just some of the many benefits that your small business can gain from a website. While the effort of creating and maintaining a website can take time and money, the long-term implications are worth it.