Here are 21 Reasons…
Why you
Need a Website!
Steve Jobs also asked ‘why’. He
challenged every single operation within his company. Everyone, from the
engineers to the accounting staff, did things differently, because Jobs would
ask them why they did things in a certain way.
And answering, “Well, that’s what
everybody else is going” simply wasn’t good enough.
When I started my first business
several years ago, the first thing I thought was “I need to get a website”. Why
did I think that? Why do I need a website?
I decided to get with the program
and copy Steve Jobs to answer the fundamental questions about why I, a small
business owner, actually need a website.
Why Do I Need a Website?
Reason #1 – Online
brochure
Companies spend millions creating
brochures and distributing them. By having a website you can skip that
entirely. Your potential customers can find out about you and any of
your products online. If you get most of your business through
networking and personal connections, then they will want to check out your
website.
Reason #2 – More
customers
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. So by not having a website, you will be missing out on a big
piece of the pie.
Reason #3 – Business
value
Have you tried getting a business
loan recently? It’s not easy, but if you try and the bank manager asks to see
your website, you better have a pretty good one. It doesn’t just stop with the
bank, the perceived value of your business will be lower in everyone’s eyes –
especially your customers.
Reason #4 – Influence
By having a website potentially thousands
of people are going to see it. You are able to influence people’s decisions
and educate them.
Reason #5 – Time to
show off
You know that great feeling you get
when people recognize your work? Well, by having a website you can show off
what you do and take pride in your work.
Reason #6 – Helps with
business goals
That’s right! When it comes to
writing the content for your website you are going to revisit things about your
business that you haven’t in years. You will most likely reassess your business
goals.
Reason #7 – Low
barriers of entry
Ever wanted to start a business?
Well, now you can do it with virtual space. In fact, by using some free website
providers you don’t have to pay a penny.
Reason #8 – 24 hours
per day
Your website runs 24/7 without any
supervision or need to lock it up. You can always be there for your customers.
Reason #9 –
Communication with customers
By having a blog or even just a feed
on your website, you can update customers on your newest offers,
products, promotions, events, photos, or any other content.
Reason #10 – Marketing
The internet has opened up a whole new
world of marketing that didn’t exist before. Your website can attract new
business by using a whole host of low cost marketing
techniques.
Reason #11 – Customer
support
You can greatly reduce the cost of
customer support by have a ticketing system, or even just an FAQ on your
website. I can think of about 5 companies off the top of my head that
streamline your customer service straight from your website.
Reason #12 – Your Own Email!
I know there are other ways to do
this, but by having a website you can have your own email address@whateveryouwant.com. It is more professional and easier to remember. I
know you love your Gmail and yahoo, but it doesn’t really resonate with
customers.
Reason #13 – Press
releases
I know that sounds a bit far out,
but it is true. You can run really cheap press
releases online about your business, but to do it you will require a
website. In fact, I have had clients who were absolute nobodies get one million views
on YouTube because of online press releases.
Reason #14 – Stick it
to the man
The best answer to “Why do I need
a website?” would be that you can stick it to the man. It is the easiest
way to quit your job and earn a living.
Reason #15 – Any topic
or hobby will do
Do you love sports? How about
ballet, alternative dance, photography, holidays, Kit-Kats, cars, skateboards,
science or animals? Well, then you have a business idea just waiting to happen.
The internet has room for an unlimited number of niche blogs that can attract
traffic and revenue. Just pick something you love and start writing about it.
Reason# 16 – Connect
with fellow web masters
On a little side note, if you own a
website you get to call yourself a ‘web master’. Pretty cool! But reason #16
for ‘why I need a website’ is that you can easily make new business and
personal connections with other website owners. This can lead to extra
streams of income for you!
Reason #17 – Gives you
a voice
Have you ever been in an argument
with someone and said “Well, I have written an article about that on my
website, and actually, that isn’t the case.” It feels great! For some reason
people don’t want to argue with you if you’ve written about something on your
website. It also gives you a place where you can voice your opinion without
judgment. If someone leaves you a comment you don’t like you can just drag it
over to the spam folder.
Reason #18 – Do
business your own way
You don’t need permission from your
boss or company lawyer.
Reason #19 – Beat the
big guys
Have you ever wanted to get into
business, but don’t know how to compete with all the big names out there? By creating
an incredibly beautiful website with a solid strategy behind it you can
smash the big guys to pieces. You have no chance of building bigger
skyscrapers, but your website can break down the perceived wall between you and
them.
Reason #20 – Instant
credibility
Have you ever had difficulty making
that sale? Or convincing someone that you are the real deal. By having a well-structured
website you can foster instant credibility with anyone. You can provide the
ultimate proof that you are, in fact, the realest of all deals (couldn’t resist
that phrase).
Reason #21 – Helps you
to find a new job
I bet you didn’t see this one
coming. I have been harping on about how a website can help your business, but
it can help you personally too. Not only can a website host your resume or CV,
but by owning and managing your website you have demonstrated tons of hard and
soft skills. Having worked in HR once upon a time, I know it is valuable.
So…
why do I need a website?
Can you think of a couple of reasons why you shouldn’t? It
wouldn’t be a balanced argument if you don’t.
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