Why Your Business Needs a Website
Reason #1 – The Web is the new Yellow Pages
Maybe you still use the Yellow Pages, I don’t know. Most people use a search engine, like Google, Yahoo, Bing, Duck Duck Go or StartPage. Obviously there are some holdouts that still flock to a book on the shelf to find a plumber or what-have-you. But most will look to the search engine rather than the Yellow Pages. Why? Because it’s easier to search online with a computer that you carry everywhere you go. That’s right, they will use their smart phone. By having a website that is registered for local search, you are much more likely to get random business from someone who just needs the services you provide.
Reason #2 – Email Branding
Branding is important. Having your logo and company name on mugs, t-shirts and tote bags is free advertising. When you host a website, you automatically get free email addresses. Yep! That’s right. So why would you settle for whiggish@gmail.com when you could have an email that promotes your company and website … like bill@codemasterbill.com. Now you don’t have to let GoDaddy or HostGator host your email. You can have Google or
Reason #3 – Your Billboard on the Internet Super Highway
Having a website gives you the opportunity to present your company the way you want to, without a bunch of clutter, other people’s ads and stupid opinions from people you don’t know who are your “friends”. It’s more that just a brochure. It’s your own personal billboard, and you can make it as big as you want to. Cheers!
Reason #4 – Reach More People
More than 2.4 billion people use the internet every day, and some 90% of those have purchased something, or contacted a company, online in the last 12 months. Additionally, worldwide, the number of English speaking people on the Internet is estimated to be around 2 billion. So by not having a website, you will be missing out on a big piece of the Internet pie.
Reason #5 – Business Legitimacy
Individuals and businesses alike rate the legitimacy of business by whether or not it has a website. It may not be correct but as they say perception is reality, so this is the reality. Even banks rate your business based on whether you have a website or not.
Reason #6 – Promote Your Business
Just as successful billboard advertisement makes the patrons of those businesses proud of their purchase, so it is with a decent website. Having a website gives you the opportunity to tell your story without the clamoring naysayers.
Reason #7 – Helps with business goals
Having a website helps you to crystallize what your business is all about. In essence it is a testimony by you to your business goals.
Reason #8 – Low barriers of entry
Got an internet connection? You can get your free domain here. And you can get your website hosted for free here. Even if you do not have an Internet connection, you can always use the public library to access the internet and setup your free site with your free domain name.
Reason #9 – Open 24/7
Your website runs 24/7 without any supervision or need to lock it up. You can always be there for your customers.
Reason #9 – Customer Interaction
Having a blog on your website, something you can do using free software like WordPress, you can update customers on your newest offers, products, promotions, events, photos, or any other content.
Reason #10 – Marketing
You can use your site to market your business using a host of different sources, like social media, blogs and video hosting sites.
Reason #11 – Customer support
You can greatly decrease the cost of customer support by have a ticketing system, or even just an FAQ on your website. These features can be readily adopted through WordPress plugins or through the standard cPanel Quick Install.
Reason #12 – Press releases
Many think that press releases are just for big companies. This is so far from the truth. Local community papers and local business publications love to pad their pages with press releases from local businesses. It may or may not get you sales but it is a way to make your business more visible.
Reason #13 – Reclaim your time and your life
Remember when it was hard to start a business? The Internet makes those days bygone. Today, you can spend a few hours a week and gradually supplant that wage earning job with something that truly gives you time freedom.
Reason #14 – Any topic or hobby will do
Are you an expert of a niche topic? Sports, movies, trends, etc. all have their devotees. If you have more knowledge than the average Joe or Jill, you can start a blog and then monetize that blog using Patrion or accept Bitcoin.
Reason# 15 – Connect with fellow web masters
If you own a website you are a ‘web master’. This broadens your skill set and gives you a potential additional income stream.
Reason #16 – Gives you a voice
As I have said, having a website gives you the opportunity to tell your story, your way. You now have a voice. Not just in your community or country, but the WORLD!
Reason #17 – Do business your way
Sometimes just letting it all go, is the way to go. Many alternative commentators have made tons of $$ by shunning the societal norms and just being themselves. This could be you.
Reason #18 – Beat the big guys
Before Google, there was Yahoo. Afterr Google could be YOU! By creating an incredibly beautiful website with an innovative strategy behind it you can smash the big guys to pieces. You may never by a Rock'n Roll superstar, but your website can break down the perceived wall between you and them.
Reason #19 – Instant credibility
Have you ever had trouble convincing someone that your were the person for the job? Whether it's sales, promotion or some niche skill, if you have a website, it elevates you over someone else.
"Everything worth doing is worth doing crappy"
This is not a call for mediocrity, but rather a call to do something NOW! If it's worth doing it's worth getting started on now, however imperfect. You can fix it later, but don't wait for that "perfect time — it will never come. Follow the links in this article (Reasons 8, 12 and 14) right now and start your journey on the road to financial independence and a better life.
And, of course, if you get stuck and need professional help, give me a shout out and I can help.