If you run a business, you need a website. End of story. Even if you’re not conducting business online, you still need one. Why? Let’s think about it. When you first hear about a business, what is one of the first things you do? If you’re like me, you Google them.
I want to learn about your business — what your hours are, what services you provide, what food is on your menu. If I can’t find anything about you, then why should I buy from you? I’d rather go elsewhere with my money.
It’s the 21st century. Nowadays everything is online. There’s really no reason why you shouldn’t be. Even if it’s just buying a domain, using a standard WordPress theme, and creating a quick site. Every day you go without a site, you are potentially losing business.
Case in point: last week I was researching landscapers since there’s no way I’m cutting my lawn weekly. So I did what I always do — search Google. Do you know how hard it is to find a landscaper with a website? Needless to say, I pretty much walked away empty handed. So I pulled some names randomly from online and the local newspaper.
Now let me tell you, if you were a landscaper in my area who had a website, you know who I’d be calling? That’s right, you. Think about how many local landscapers lost out on my business. Sure I’m only one person, but odds are, other people are doing it too.
So if you have a business, you need a website. You have no excuse. No money? Create a website on Blogger or WordPress.com. No time? Hire someone. Something is better than nothing.
About the Author
Allyssa is a web designer from New Jersey who works with small business owners to create an online presence that elevates their brand to premium status.
Agree – 100%!
I also giggled at your landscaping comment – knowing full well how much mowing the lawn is the bane of my husband’s existence. Luckily, we live in a duplex and our neighbours usually rotate with us – they’ll do the whole thing one week, we’ll do it the next. Although, this year, we are hiring a landscaper to do the aeration – ain’t nobody got time for that!
This is so true! The last two ladies who did my hair didn’t have a website/web presence at all. One was on FB and said that was all she needed, her FB page hadn’t been updated in moths; and the others website had been down for two weeks and I had to dig around for their business card to get a number.
So many small businesses, especially when it comes to construction and home repair/maintenance services, neglect the web for whichever reasons. While word of mouth is a great business strategy, I prefer to see your efforts in marketing yourself to a wider audience online. Great post!
AMEN! When small businesses especially don’t have websites it makes me so mad! If you’re local, you need a website with the basics- your location, phone number, menu, etc.
this drives me crazy too! i am not a big phone person so i don’t want to call your business to find out something i could easily find in 3 seconds by going to your website.
we have some restaurants in our city that have horrible websites with no info on them. not even their menu. really?
i can’t believe that there are people in business in this day and age that don’t have an informative web presence!
The company I work for doesn’t have a website! People always call and ask for it and then they’re shocked when I tell them we don’t have one. It’s crazy!
-Sharon