Most consumers are looking online for information that will help them make smarter purchasing decisions. In fact, approximately 88% of consumers will research product information before they make a purchase online or in the store. This buying behaviour emphasises how important it is for a business to have a website.
If you want your company to be successful in the modern marketplace, you’ve got to have online presence. Your website is the backbone of your business, supporting all of your digital marketing efforts.
Below, we’ll discuss the importance of a website for your business success
Importance of a Website for Marketing
A website is the backbone of your online presence, every type of communication, piece of content, or advertisement that you put online will drive the consumer back to your website. It’s important that your website gives consumers a clear idea of what your brand is about and what types of products or services you offer.
Even though you might have a social media presence to reach and engage with consumers, you must have a place to send consumers when they want to learn more about your business or make a purchase. It’s essential to have a website for your content marketing and email marketing, such as hosting your blog, building an email list and eventually making sales. More importantly, a website will help you find and target the right audience who is interested in your products/services. This can be achieved by PPC advertising. Finally, combining using Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) on your site, your business will get discovered on Google.
Importance of a Website for Sales
By having an online presence through your website, you can reach more consumers. The more consumers you reach online, the more opportunities you have to make a sale. Developing a website doesn’t automatically bring paying customers to your business. However, through SEO, you can improve your chances of bringing in more qualified leads who are more likely to make a purchase.
Not only does a website help you increase your sales opportunities, but it also increases your availability to make sales. With a website, you can sell your products and services around-the-clock. You don’t have to be actively engaging with leads on a constant basis because they are able to get the information they need from your site.
Building Credibility with a Website
How does a website help you build credibility? Well, it allows consumers to see what your brand is all about. In addition to showcasing your products and services, you can also tell consumers about your company and its mission. By helping consumers get to know your business, you are working to establish trust, which is the first step in building long-lasting customer relationships.
Use your website to establish authority. When it comes to finding a reputable business, consumers want to know where a brand stands in the industry. The content that you create and publish to your site helps show consumers that you know your stuff. By providing valuable and educational content, you can work to build stronger relationships with consumers and encourage conversions.
Providing Accessibility Around the Clock
A website provides accessibility to your target audience around the clock. Even when you have checked out for the day, your website is still working hard to bring more customers to your business.
With a website, you provide a place for consumers to see what your brand is about and learn more about your products and services, any time of the day or night.
Make the Right First Impression
The importance of a website cannot be overstated. But if this website is unattractive or hard to navigate, then you may be turning your customers away without even knowing it. In fact, approximately 94% of people state that web design is the top reason that they mistrust or reject a website.
Important elements a website should include
Simple Navigation – It shouldn’t be hard for visitors to find what they’re looking for on your site without clicking around several times. Navigation menus should be clear and simple, helping visitors find what they’re looking for in just a few moments.
Attractive Design – Your site should be attractive and on brand, and should maintain a balance between attractive design and content that’s easy to read and quick to load.
Informative Content – The content on your site should be informative and help visitors better understand your products and services. It also needs to emphasise relevant keywords that your consumers might use to find brands like yours online.
Search Engine Optimisation – Your site structure and content both need to be optimised for search engines like Google.
Quick Load Times – If your site doesn’t load within a few seconds, visitors may be inclined to leave. Therefor aim for quick load times to improve the user experience.
Easy Conversion – Your website should make it easy for visitors to convert with a quick and simple check-out process. Your shopping cart should also be easy for customers to use and come back to if they click away from your page.
How to Get Started with a Website for Your Business
The importance of a website for your business success is clear. Without a website, you cannot reach and engage your target customers online. Even if you have a brick and mortar business that serves mostly local customers, your business can still benefit from a website.
In fact, nowadays, if you want to do business in today’s modern marketplace, you need to have a website. But where do you start?
If you need help designing an attractive website that’s optimised for the search engines and easy to navigate, we provide WIX web design services to help brands like yours reach new audiences online. To find out more about our web design services contact us today.