Small business owners are keeping a lot of balls in the air. On a lean budget, you are performing many roles, from development and marketing to operations and wiping up spills – both literal and metaphorical. There isn’t a lot of room for extra expenses. You consult your business plan and see where you can get more streamlined, what is necessary, and what can be reduced.
You may think that you don’t need a website, that it’s an expense that can be neglected. Perhaps you think a proper website isn’t necessary for your artisanal popsicle shop, or that in 2019 a social media presence is enough.
The fact remains that a website, a dot com, is an anchor for your business, a digital storefront that never closes.
You need to build a website, or hire a company to do it. If you have an old one, update it. Here are five reasons your Maine small- to medium-sized business needs a website.
Marketing
You can have a beautiful product or service for sale, but if no one sees it, what’s the point? Perhaps your business has been just a hobby until now. Perhaps you sold your wares at a craft or farmers market, or through an online platform like Etsy. When you are ready to take the plunge and get professional, a website will be your beacon, the steady light that always burns. Considering how much time consumers spend on the internet, and the audience that is so much wider in scope than your local marketing arms can reach, a website is a must.
Your website should tell potential customers who you are, what you offer, your hours of operation, and how to contact you. You can communicate so much about your brand with the right website. It is your calling card on the world wide web, where your marketing begins and ends. With the right functions and appearance, a good website raises your profile and increases your bottom line.
Legitimize Your Business
These days we expect a business to have a website. If your business doesn’t have one, it may look less than reputable. It’s such a simple thing to implement and maintain that increases consumer confidence and makes you look professional.
Data Collection
We are always looking for new customers or novel ways to sell to old customers, and a website, which is dynamic, interactive and digital, is capable of so much more than outmoded marketing strategies. Follow the digital trail to connect with consumers, find out who they are, where they are and what they want.
Compete with the Big Guys
A small business has distinct needs. We are never going to be able to compete with huge corporations in terms of profit margins and advertising spend. They can charge less for goods and services, and spend more on marketing. They are Goliath, and we are David. A good business website can help you stay relevant in the marketplace, and give you an edge against the monolithic players. People do use the internet to shop locally, to research, and transact. You need every sale you can get. Don’t leave money on the table.
Control Your Brand
Your website tells your business story, in your words and images. Stay in control of how it looks and the perception people have of what you do. Keep it simple and clean, and your online presence will have a huge impact on your bottom line.
A small business needs a website, and so much more. Greenlight Maine supports small business owners and wants to see you succeed! Let’s make it happen together.
