There’s been an interesting conversation going round that since businesses could sell on social media platforms and customers are buying without fear of been duped or not getting what they ordered, why does a business still need a website?
Also, age-long organizations claimed that they have been doing well before the internet bubbles of the late 90s and many (including companies that started after the internet bubbles busted) are still doing well today even without having a website, why should they choose to have a website?
Many business owners even tried to register a domain and develop a website for their businesses but decided not to renew it again after the first year because according to them, the website is not generating money for them.
According to expireddomains.net, well over 518 million domain names have been deleted to date while active domain names stand at 640 million.
The question these business owners that their domain names got deleted keep asking is why do they need a website for their business?
Let’s look at few reasons why you need a website for your business
1. Official Business Email Address:
Are you one of those who still use generic email addresses like yahoo, gmail or hotmail as your business email address?
Some big and well-structured organizations will never do business with you if you don’t have an official business email address and this is part of the package that comes with having a business website.
Part of the add-ons that comes with hosting your website is the ability to create official email addresses and you don’t have to pay a dime extra except if you want to use tools like Google workspace or Microsoft 365 to access to your email address.
2. Brand and Business Control:
With your own business website, you determine how visitors and customers should view your business with well curated content that suits your marketing style. Also, if any social media platform shuts down at any time, it does not affect your business because your website will continue to represent your brand identity and message.
3. Improved Customer Service:
Having a business website can greatly improve your customer service experience, engagement and capabilities. With a website, you can communicate with your customers more efficiently, provide them with the information they need, and offer tools such as chatbots and contact forms to address their concerns and convince potential clients to do business with you.
4. Increased Visibility and Marketing Opportunities:
Your website allows your business to be visible to potential customers anytime of the day, regardless of their location or time zone.
This can help increase your brand awareness and attract more customers. A website can be optimized for search engines, allowing businesses to reach a wider audience and attract potential customers who are actively searching for their products or services.
5. Build Trust and Credibility:
A professional website with detailed information about your business (phone number, office address, contact information etc) help builds trust with potential customers and enhances your perceived legitimacy. Investing in a quality website can be a game-changer for your business, opening up new opportunities for business growth and success.
6. Data Collection and Analytics:
Having a business can help you to gather data about your customers behaviours and buying preference, allowing you to refine your business model, marketing strategies and improve user experience.
In conclusion, while social media platforms are fantastic for creating awareness for your business, building a huge fanbase or followership, it is nothing compared to having a website for your business as website remains the foundation for online presence and visibility for businesses giving you the much-needed control, flexibility, effective and efficient customer engagement. [Featured Image Credit]
