Why you should have a website
There are many benefits to be gained by businesses, organisations and individuals having their own website. Couple that with the low cost of having a website, it is quite extraordinary how many people still fail to take advantage of such a powerful and flexible tool.
BENEFIT 1: Gain credibility and trust
Whether you agree with it or not, the indisputable truth is that today most people expect you to have a website, and that expectation is growing. It is a credibility issue. Having a website demonstrates that you are not only serious about what you do today, but that you intend to be doing it in the future.
It is like having a physical office or shop front, It gives them re-assurance (rightly or wrongly) that you are around to stay. It shows you are happy to say to the world “Here I am. Have a look round, I have nothing to hide.”
On the other hand, of course, if you don’t have a website, people will almost certainly think “Why not?” and come to their own (albeit probably false) conclusions.
It is like having a physical office or shop front, It gives them re-assurance (rightly or wrongly) that you are around to stay. It shows you are happy to say to the world “Here I am. Have a look round, I have nothing to hide.”
On the other hand, of course, if you don’t have a website, people will almost certainly think “Why not?” and come to their own (albeit probably false) conclusions.
BENEFIT 2: Prevent your competitors stealing your customers
Imagine the situation. You have just done a great job for Bill. Bill is so pleased that he tells all his friends about you. Bill’s friends decide to check you out on the internet to get your phone number and other details but are disappointed to discover that you do not have a website. However, what they do discover are the websites of other people offering what you do. In a flash they have started to check out these other websites and your details are soon forgotten. You have, in effect, just handed that customer to someone else.
Not having a website could be doing you real harm and be indirectly saying “I’m not really bothered about your custom, so please check out those who are.”
Not having a website could be doing you real harm and be indirectly saying “I’m not really bothered about your custom, so please check out those who are.”
BENEFIT 3: Save time and money
Many people think that having a website is all about promotion. Far from it. A website is a fantastic tool which can save you valuable time in many ways. Exactly how, of course, will depend upon the nature of what you do.
For example, if you are often asked to send out information, you could cut down on phone calls, printing and postage by allowing people to download information direct from your website. It really is easy to set this up.
Providing answers to common questions on your website can cut down the time spent on answering them, such as opening hours, directions, trading terms and contact details. Information you can now provide to people 24 hours per day, every day of the year, without lifting a finger!
Brochures, menus, price lists, technical data, images, music – there is no limit on what you can allow people to download from your website. The information you choose to supply is all under your control. All this can save you time and expense, and at the same time provide a great service to the enquirer.
For example, if you are often asked to send out information, you could cut down on phone calls, printing and postage by allowing people to download information direct from your website. It really is easy to set this up.
Providing answers to common questions on your website can cut down the time spent on answering them, such as opening hours, directions, trading terms and contact details. Information you can now provide to people 24 hours per day, every day of the year, without lifting a finger!
Brochures, menus, price lists, technical data, images, music – there is no limit on what you can allow people to download from your website. The information you choose to supply is all under your control. All this can save you time and expense, and at the same time provide a great service to the enquirer.
BENEFIT 4: Provide up-to-date information
Your website can have as many pages of information as you like, and can include words, graphics, photographs, videos, and music.
What’s more, the information is easy to change and update. Compare this to the traditional method of printing of brochures and marketing materials, newsletters, price lists etc. At last you can avoid having 1000 leaflets printed only to find out later that they have embarrassing errors in them. Of course, you can also just leave your website static if you wish.
Having your own website will allow you to provide constantly up-to-date information, all under your own immediate control. Change text, images, product and services details, prices, contact details etc. any time you like.
What’s more, the information is easy to change and update. Compare this to the traditional method of printing of brochures and marketing materials, newsletters, price lists etc. At last you can avoid having 1000 leaflets printed only to find out later that they have embarrassing errors in them. Of course, you can also just leave your website static if you wish.
Having your own website will allow you to provide constantly up-to-date information, all under your own immediate control. Change text, images, product and services details, prices, contact details etc. any time you like.
BENEFIT 5: Showcase your products and services and sell them online
Not everyone wants to sell things online. But if you do, it really has never been easier. Today’s web design tools make it simple to add online shopping facilities to your website.
Even if you don’t want to actually process payments online, a website is a wonderful way of showcasing what you offer.
Remember, you can use words, images and even video and music to show off what you do.
Even if you don’t want to actually process payments online, a website is a wonderful way of showcasing what you offer.
Remember, you can use words, images and even video and music to show off what you do.
BENEFIT 6: Communicate
More than ever we live in a sociable world. The incredible growth of mobile phone use over recent years is proof of that. Having your own website gives you lots of options for engaging with people, and how (or even whether) you use them is entirely under your control. It is entirely up to you, but if you want you can offer your website visitors a variety of ways of making contact, including by phone and email. Using enquiry forms on your website means you can even receive messages without divulging your email address.
Of course, the buzz words today are “social media”. If you are interested in plugging into the world of Facebook, Twitter and the like, then your website can be integrated. The main benefit is that it provides a mechanism for others to share your details very easily. However, you would not be alone if these things don’t appeal to you at all, in which case you can choose not to engage in this way.
Of course, the buzz words today are “social media”. If you are interested in plugging into the world of Facebook, Twitter and the like, then your website can be integrated. The main benefit is that it provides a mechanism for others to share your details very easily. However, you would not be alone if these things don’t appeal to you at all, in which case you can choose not to engage in this way.
But I don't want a website because...........
“I am not really into computers”
The reality is that you don’t need a computer or any computer skills to have a website. Everything is done for you, and your website will be stored and presented to the world via a special web server connected to the World Wide Web, not via your own computer. You don’t even have to use email, you can simply put your phone number and/or postal address on your website.
“I am getting enough business / work / interest without having a website.”
Firstly, this may be true now, but how about the future? Secondly, a website is not all about promotion. How about the other benefits of a having a website, such as saving time for example? Could having an information rich website cut down on answering queries over the phone?
“I can’t afford the expense.”
A website can cost as little as £2 a week to run and a little as £199 to initially create and set up. Not bad for world-wide exposure! And there’s no long term commitment.
“I can’t sell online because I can't accept card payments.”
A merchant account is not needed to sell goods online. One simple option is to use PayPal for example. By opening a PayPal account (it’s free and very easy to set up) you can let people pay you online (either via their own PayPal account or via their debit or credit card). PayPal act as the middle-men, taking a small percentage on each transaction only when it happens. There are other online payment processors available too.
