A website is one of the easiest and most cost-effective solutions for any business owner charged with courting new business and managing customer relationships. More than simply an online calling card, even the most basic websites help sole proprietors and small business owners. The following are just a few of the outrageous benefits of a website:
Benefits Of A Website
- Weed Out Bad Apples
Prescreen prospective customers by clearly explaining what your business does and does not do.
- Increase Billable Hours (For Service Businesses)
Minimize routine, non-paying and secretarial tasks by providing accurate directions to your office, parking information, hours of operation, billing and accessibility information online.
- Sell More Of Your Products
A website can provide your customers with a 360-degree view of your product, its benefits and features and move prospects forward in the consumer buying process. With an e-commerce website, your business will open the doors to a global market for your products.
- Simplify Your Life
Simplify customer purchases and support with downloadable and electronic forms, posting frequently asked questions online, and integration with order fulfillment and back office systems.
- Strengthen Customer Relationships
Build closer customer relationships with rock-solid website content that helps explain and educate on the merits of your products and services, and by providing helpful resources for after-sale support and continued marketing.
- Make More Money
Attack lucrative niche markets by expanding into specific industries, creating new services and products, and reaching untapped audiences.
- Accomplish More With Less Effort
Attract new business by creating an online marketing and offline marketing network of touch points for prospective customers.
- Create An Overnight Shift In Your Capabilities
Once in place, many of the website’s cost savings and new business recruitment value produces a night and day shift in the capabilities, visibility, and profitability of the company.
For example, a services business can consistently cut the time of his initial “free” consultations with prospects in half by simply answering on its website many of the common questions new clients routinely asked in person. This client-centric website approach enables the firm to move rapidly from “free” prospect consultation to “billable” new client interview.
It’s important to realize the enormous impact the internet is having on businesses of all sizes. According to a recent study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, a staggering 73% of Americans (about 147 million adults) are internet users. And an astounding 60 million Americans turn to the internet for research and guidance in making purchasing decisions.
And when viewed as part of a company’s overall marketing plan, a website is virtually unmatched in providing a solid return on investment. So stop asking, “do I need a website for my small business” and get cracking! Even the most basic website solves pressing short and long-term marketing goals; generating immediate cost-savings born from reductions in routine non-billable activities, while actively building longer-term value as a new business recruitment and customer retention tool.
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