‘Do I need a website for my business?’ is a question we hear from small business owners over and over again. They’re unsure if they should make the investment. They aren’t convinced it will make a difference in their business.
“Do I need a website for my business?” The answer is yes. If you do not have a website, you are actively losing out on business, missing potential clients. 45% of customers are more likely to engage with your business if you have a strong digital presence. This is why it’s so important that you optimize your digital presence.
At Radar Designs, we understand that investing in a website can be a huge undertaking for a small business. There are so many options, a wide range of pricing, and uncertainty around the ROI. This leads a lot of small business owners frozen and unable to make a decision.
To get you started on your website journey, check out the 5 items we tell every business owner to consider before investing in a website.
Here are 6 things to consider before investing in a website.
1. Can you Build Your Own Website?
There are a lot of options when it comes to building a website. Nowadays, business owners are able to utilize templates from Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress in order to create a drap and drop websites. However, all of these builders come with a learning curve. While you may be tech savvy enough to build your own website, you should think about the time involved before DIYing it. In the article, 10 Key Steps to Building a Website by Forbes does well at describing the steps and amount of time you’ll spend. How much is your own time worth? Could you pay someone to build the website faster who has more experience? Do you have a good eye for design, layout. The builders will help you with tools, but knowing how to present your branding cohesively across your website is a skill.
2. How do you get business?
It’s important to know where you are and where you are not currently getting business from before investing in a website. Do you have a store front? Having a website with up to date contact information, hours, and directions is helpful for your visitors. Do you have a referral based business? There’s a good chance that potential customers are checking out your online presence. 76% of consumers look at a companies online presence before engaging with them. Are you getting business through social media? Giving potential customers a well-branded website experience will increase your conversion rate.
3. Are you looking to grow your company?
Getting a website setup for your business is a great way to invest your marketing dollars in order to grow your business. However, it needs to be a part of a total growth strategy. Do you have the right systems and processes in place to convert website leads? Do you understand the cycle of taking a potential client to a customer and then to repeat and referral business? All of these items needed to be considered before investing in a website.
4. Who will maintain your website?
Building and designing a website is one thing, but who will be responsible for maintaining the website? Most business owners we encounter don’t realize that in order for the website to be an effective marketing tool, it will need to be updated regularly with new content. The backend of the site will need to be checked to ensure everything is updated for security purposes. Some of our clients have the technological savvy to do this on their own. The bulk of our clients need someone to continue to maintain their website, whether that be an agency or an in-hour marketing coordinator.
5. What functions do you need on your website?
Will you be selling items on your website? Will customers be contacting you through it? Do you have an inventory that needs to be updated? How do you see potential customers utilizing your website? All of these questions need to be answered before beginning, that way you or your website designer is able to build out the structure for your website so that it functions the way your business needs it to function.
6. Do I need a website for my business?
Yes! However, it’s important to take the time and understand how your business will be able to utilize a website and how the website can aid in continued, sustainable growth for your company. Now that you aware of the items to consider, you can better prepare yourself when moving forward on your business website.
At Radar Designs, we want your business to succeed. If you’re interested in skyrocketing your business to success, contact us today for an initial consultation.
