12 Benefits of Having a Website

Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 January 2009 20:50 Written by Spencer Thornock Friday, 09 January 2009 19:35

1. Less Expensive and More Flexible than Print Advertising
Print Advertising is expensive and only lasts for a certain period of time. Having a website provides a relatively inexpensive way to advertise for long periods of time, and allows you to update and change the content frequently without incurring additional costs (if you use a content management system, you can change the information yourself as often as you like). In addition, the Internet potentially allows you to reach a wider audience than print advertising.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't use other forms of advertising as well. However, by including your website address in other advertising (phone directories, newspaper ads, flyers or mailers, etc.) you can draw potential customers to your site. This opens the window for creating a great first impression and can set you apart from competitors that don't have a website.

2. Market Growth
The Internet has allowed businesses of all types and sizes to "go global" with ease and even compete with the big-dogs of industry. Through the use of the World Wide Web, your company becomes accessible in any country of the world, to anyone with Internet access.

3. Expanded Income Opportunities
A website is a great way to represent your company, but it can also be an additional revenue generator. Most consumers visit your site because they are already interested in what your company offers. This opens the door for you to sell advertising space on your website to other companies that sell products or services that compliment yours.

It's not unusual for a business to have a "directory" of complimentary services listed on their site. Those listings are advertising spots you can sell to companies that are related to yours. An example would be a wedding photographer with a directory that lists florists, wedding planners, bridal shops, etc.

4. Always Open
With a website, you're open for business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round. Stop losing customers when your company is closed for the evening or on a holiday. By providing your website address on your voice mail greeting, customers can still obtain the information they desire when you're not there to assist them. With an E-commerce site, consumers can complete transactions on-line as well.

5. Convenience and Low-Pressure
Today's consumers appreciate the freedom and easy access to information that websites provide. It's much easier to visit a company online than it is to travel to the physical location. They could call instead, but that's time your employees could be utilizing in other ways, and if a customer gets a busy signal, they're not likely to call back.

Many consumers also appreciate the relaxed, low-pressure environment that websites create. It allows consumers to research your company, products or services, and even make purchases online?all in the privacy and comfort of their home.

6. Increased Value and Satisfaction
By offering convenience, an additional point of reference and the feel of individualized customer service, you automatically add value to your offering and your customers will experience a higher level of trust and satisfaction.

Your website can add value in other ways too. Featuring tips, advice and articles of interest on your site will help entertain your customers and give them a reason to visit you more often. This will help them to remember you, and build a relationship over time.

7. Regulate Sales Performance
Once you've identified which marketing approaches and sales pitches have worked well for you in the past, you can place the best pitch on your website - using it on every visitor. Unlike sales staff that you spend time and money training, your web site will always use the most effective marketing approach on every single visitor.

8. Enhance Credibility
Your website provides a unique opportunity to share information with potential customers. Tell them who you are, what you're about and why you deserve their trust and business. Many people use the Internet to do research prior to making a purchase. They may compare brands, read customer ratings or reviews, or even research a company's "good standing" with a regulatory agency. It's important for people to feel confident about the purchases they make and the companies they do business with. The Internet also promotes "Viral Marketing" where your website visitors spread positive word-of-mouth about your business to others, hopefully increasing traffic to your site, and ultimately, increasing business.

9. Promote Your Brick 'N Mortar Locations
Including a map on your website to assist customers in finding your Brick 'N Mortar locations. "Dummy Maps" show directions and landmarks graphically. You can also utilize search engines that offer maps or driving directions (like Google Maps or Yahoo Maps), which allow customers to input their current location and obtain step-by-step driving directions to your location. Maps are especially helpful because customers can print them and refer to them while they're headed to your store front. Another great way to draw customers into your Brick 'N Mortar premises is to advertise promotions or offer coupons that are for "in-store only". Lastly, websites provide you with an instantaneous way to update existing and potential customers, should you ever relocate your store front. This greatly reduces the chance of losing customers when you move to a new location. If you depend on a phone book to tell your customers where you are, you could be waiting a long time for the next issue to be delivered.

10. Improve Your Image
Websites are often the first contact potential customers have with a company. A well designed, user-friendly website can help create a positive image for your company - suggesting professionalism, stability and quality. If you don?t have a Brick 'N Mortar location for customers to visit, a website is one of the best ways to convey your company's image to customers. Even someone working out of their home can produce the look of a high-end business with the right web design.

11. Growth Opportunity
When seeking additional capital for your business, a website can be a valuable tool. By referring potential investors to your site, you can express what your company is about, what it has accomplished in the past and what it can accomplish in the future.

12. Marketing Tools
Website features like visitor polls, online surveys, and website statistics are invaluable when trying to improve your products or customer satisfaction. Website statistics show the amount of traffic to your site, how the visitor got there, and where (geographically) the visitor is from. Polls and surveys allow customers to provide almost instantaneous feedback which enable you to quickly address any major issues and also help you to determine a sound marketing strategy for the future.