If you run a major corporation or large national or international business, it is inconceivable that you would be without a website. The same is true for local businesses; it is just as vital to have a professionally designed, top quality website.
Don’t Get Left Behind
Many local business owners do not realise the importance of great web design, or even the value of having a website at all. In this day and age, nearly everyone is online. Not having a website for your business is a huge mistake, but also a very easy one to remedy.
As technology has shifted us to a more ‘connected’ society, the internet has become the primary source of information for a large majority of consumers. When searching for businesses of any kind, most people look online–even before checking in local advertisements or asking friends. Searching online is fast and simple, and the first choice of many. Particularly with the increasing popularity of smart phones, consumers are using technology to get the information they need.
Oftentimes, an individual searching for a local business will utilise a map feature on his or her phone to find those which are nearby. The map feature can connect them with your business address, but also provide a direct link to your company website, if available. Consumers searching for a good or service are many times more likely to choose your business if you have an accessible website which provides the information they need.
Outshine the Competition
Having a company website is the bare minimum; you also want your website to have outstanding design. Competition can often be fierce amongst smaller, local businesses. An excellent website can be the element which puts you a cut above competitors in your area.
It’s not just about having an attractive website, either. While a polished look is important, you also want the website to be simple enough for any consumer to navigate. You need functioning links, a circuitous flow that leads the consumer comprehensively through the site, and high level SEO optimisation, to make sure customers are finding your site and that it is consistently appearing at the top of search engine results.
Hold Your Own with Larger Companies
If you are a local business which finds itself in competition with larger companies, a killer website can keep you in league with the big boys. A website is a wonderful tool for advertising what your business can do well. If your local company is superior to a major company’s services or products in some way, your website can show this off. A local business can promote itself in different ways than a larger company, and this should definitely be taken advantage of. Your site can also show up alongside these national companies in web searches, perhaps giving you an edge.
If you’re waiting to get a fabulous web site designed, the time is now. Don’t waste anymore time letting technology (and your competitors) jump ahead without you.