Local Business  » 7 Reasons Your Small Business Needs a Website

7 Reasons Your Small Business Needs a Website

Still not convinced a web site would benefit your small

business? Here are 7 reasons to start building your internet

presence.

1. Plenty of space

It can be hard to choose what to say in your limited-space print

ads. One benefit of having a web site is that you have enough

space to market all your services, announce events, display

product photos, show maps and directions, list staff education

and credentials, post client testimonials and industry

awards--anything you feel will help potential customers make an

informed decision.

2. Available 24/7

Another web site advantage is that it's available even when your

business is closed or no one is available to answer your phone.

You can encourage callers who've missed you to visit your web

site for more information while they wait for your return

call.

3. Easy to update

Printed material, while still very necessary, can be expensive

company located in Corona, CA. For more web site design...

and troublesome to keep updated. With a web site you can easily

let the public know of changes to your hours of operation,

product or service offerings, business address or phone number,

staff, etc.

4. Adds credibility

One of the best benefits of a having a web site: a

well-thought-out, professionally designed web site can add

credibility to your small business--no matter how young or small

your business is. A web site can also convey a sense of

stability--especially important if your small business operates

without a storefront; potential customers will feel reassured

that they could contact you if they lost your information.

5. Great word-of-mouth marketing

Another great reason for a web site (that is often overlooked!)

is that's it's easy for someone to share your web site address

with a friend in an email, a phone conversation or a meeting

where none of your brochures or business cards are available.

6. Adds value

Your web site can become a valuable resource to potential and

current customers. Post information on how to care for products

you sell, referrals to related services, interesting facts,

how-to's, tips, trends, mistakes to avoid or a glossary of

industry terms.

7. Stay ahead of or keep up with competition

People use the internet to research everything from furniture to

limousine service to preschools. If your competitor has a web

site listed in their print ad and you don't, those online savvy

people may check out your competitor's offerings first. That's

especially true if you advertise in online "Yellow-Page"-style

directories and don't have a web site. Hello! Your target

customer is already online! If your competitor is just a click

away, who do you think will get the first opportunity to serve

that customer?

About the author:

Keita Del Valle is the owner of Crafty Pixel, a Southern California web design

company located in Corona, CA. For more web site design

news, articles and the Hollaback blog, visit www.craftypixel.com.