Does your Business really need a Website in 2022?

As social media popularity has soared in the past few years, some may argue websites have become outdated. Many people solely use Facebook and Instagram as their main source of marketing and sales. So does your company really need a website to succeed in 2022?

YES! 100% YES! But you may be wondering why…

Well, to start, according to Google search statistics, more than 2.4 million searches are made through the search engine every minute. Before you try out a new service, visit a new restaurant, or buy a new product, where do you go first? Google! Most people like to do their research before handing their money over to a company, and having a website that is home to all your company details enables your audience to find you! 

To increase the chances of customers buying from your website, you need to ensure you include key details such as who you are, what your brand represents, and what it stands for. But, the most important point is that you address and solve your target audience’s pain points in the copy of your business. This will set your business apart from your competitors in your industry, meaning consumers are more likely to choose you. 

84% of consumers think that a website makes a business more credible. It’s proof that you exist! Without a website, people may question your legitimacy as a business. Having a website is an opportunity to make a great first impression and build trust with your audience. Including your business phone number, address and testimonials also helps build trust between you and your prospective customers. 

Consumers are more likely to buy from a company that has a clean cut, regularly updated website, over a company that is only on social media. Anyone can easily create a Facebook or Instagram account with fake data and information, and these can look identical to yours. Therefore, a professional business website legitimises your company in a way no social media channel could. 

By understanding SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), you can work to make your website rank higher than all your competitors on Google. Let’s be honest, not many of us go past the first couple of pages on Google, so if you’re at the top, you’re more likely to be chosen by your target audience over your competitors! Also, bidding on relevant keywords can increase your website traffic and influence your customer’s decision. 

In addition to this, having a website ranked on the first page of Google increases the chance of prospective customers accidentally stumbling upon your website when researching your industry, increasing leads and website conversions. 

Unlike your business, your website is open 24/7, 365 days a year for your customers to find you and the information they’re looking for. You can still satisfy your customer’s needs without manning your website constantly, and one way you can do this is through a FAQ section. A frequently asked questions page allows your audience to get immediate answers, as well as saving you time and money on customer service. You could also add in a live chat feature, which you can either manually operate, or invest in an AI-powered chat-bot to do it for you, so customer’s queries can be answered in a timely manner. All of this contributes to positive, long-term customer relationships and helps build up trust between you and them.

If your business is not online, it is invisible to your target audience. Your website should be at the center of all your marketing efforts. It is where your customers make their first impressions, do their research, and purchase your product or service. You can direct customers to your website through business cards and brochures, social media posts, a blog or newsletter sign up form. All of these positively impact your website traffic and improves your retention rate, which is the amount of time your customers stay on your website for. If you have a higher retention rate on your website, customers are more likely to make a purchase or enquire about your services. Your marketing efforts are easier to manage when everything is interconnected and the common factor in this is a website. 

The truth is, relying on traditional methods of marketing and advertising can become very costly, very quickly. Once you make the initial investment in your website, they are quite self sufficient and don’t require much maintenance. This allows you to place yourself on an even playing field with competitors without breaking the bank. 

If you don’t already have a website for your business, we strongly encourage you to do so, as we have only touched on a few of the advantages a website can bring to your company, and they are the first step to success. 

Don’t have time to build a website yourself? No idea where to start? Just need a refresh of your current website? We can provide the perfect solution! We work with you to build professional, responsive websites that will make your business stand out from your competitors. Give us a ring on 0161 241 9050 and one of our expert team members will provide you with a free quote.