Do I need a website?

The simple answer is “Yes”. If you want to run a business and want to maximise your reach and grow, ‘YES’ you do. There are many reasons to state the need of a website but first we must understand, why are people asking this question in the first place. We have to agree that all entrepreneurs or business owners are smart and understand the commercial end of a business. So the question remains – why?

Here are some questions or thoughts I have come across:

1. Businesses were successful even before the advent of internet and there are successful businesses that still continue to run without any web presence
2. I don’t want to invest money in a website ‘now’ – project development investment delivers a quicker and higher ROI
3. A website or landing page can be developed any time if required by a client
4. Social media or forums or technical groups works better than websites
5. Research or review sites also can help to generate business
6. I don’t have any content to put on the website
7. Websites are only useful to those that sell online
8. Websites don’t have a direct impact on my growth
9. My business is only local
10. My company works for another company so I can’t highlight myself anywhere

Sounds similar!

There are many who still believe that a website wouldn’t make that big of a difference, so why invest time and money? There are some who are still truly unaware of how a website could be beneficial. Let’s make sure we try to address as many as questions or thoughts possible.

Website is your virtual identity. You may wear different hats or even have many qualities but to increase your reach in the virtual space you need a virtual character that everyone can identify and refer. All your efforts in the digital or physical world need to be associated at a common point that is scalable and robust. Let’s get to those questions again.

1. Businesses were successful even before the advent of internet and there are successful businesses that still continue to run without any web presence – Yes they were, but check out the companies who invested in building a virtual environment that replicates the actual world efforts. Their time and money have been saved in times that cannot be calculated. They have reached markets far quickly than others with lessor efforts.
2. I don’t want to invest money in a website ‘now’ – project development investment delivers a quicker and higher ROI – Absolutely true. Now compare it with your investment plans. Marketing is not a cost centre but a long term investment centre. You need to have patience when building a base for your company. A stronger base cannot be built after 2 floors have been built. The digital footprint that marketing helps you build needs a website to hold and connect everything.
3. A website or landing page can be developed any time if required by a client – No it’s not so simple. Your virtual identity should be build as soon as possible to reap benefits early in the virtual world.
4. Social media or forums or technical groups works better than websites – Yes they do serve to an extent but how many places would you want your audience to travel for information. Wouldn’t it be best to give him all at one place? The average time on a page for a visitor is reducing day by day and also is their patience. You still want to try and test?
5. Research or review sites also can help to generate business – Yes they do but they still need a website for authenticity. The quality score drops when you have nothing of your own to prove your existence. You should ensure the visitors to these sites come back to your virtual space or website for more latest information.
6. I don’t have any content to put on the website – This is an excuse for not working. Every business has a product or a service offering and talking about that in your own words is all the content you need for a website. Like I said earlier, its your virtual identity so it should replicate everything that the founders or the company core values talk.
7. Websites are only useful to those that sell online – Ok so why is your business operational? For selling something or what!
8. Websites don’t have a direct impact on my growth – This absolutely false as website are the prime drivers or one of the most important factors in finalising a sale. They have a long term impact on a company’s growth. Again, its your virtual identity and so is directly linked.
9. My business is only local – Even more reason to have a website. It will ease the customer journey and allow more people to purchase from all parts of the city. Plus you can showcase how you are different from your competition and allow exclusive stuff to patrons.
10. My company works for another company so I can’t highlight myself anywhere – So! If you client decides to chose someone else then what happens? Will you search for a house after you have been evicted? Your virtual identity can have multiple facets to describe and not just one client offering. It can highlight aspirational growth – your vision and mission!

I hope I have cleared the doubts. If you still want to brainstorm I would be happy to chat or talk.

Here are some more interesting thoughts for not wanting a website:

• I have enough leads!
• I know how to reach out to people
• I am going to sell my company!
• Everyone online is a scammer!

Still think you don’t need a website?

#FoodForThought