Websites work. No matter what your business or profession, a website can generate business, promote goodwill among customers and prospects, and deliver strong marketing messages – whether your business is small, large or in-between, well-established or brand-new.
People use the Web in greater and greater numbers, more and more every day. Even if you are a completely local small business, service, contractor or consultant, odds are people have used search engines to look for your web site and if you don’t have a web site… well, you get the picture.
- Your customers are on the internet.
Zimbabwe’s Internet penetration rate reached 55.4% in the third quarter of 2019 signaling a 3.5% increase in the number of internet users from 51.9% recorded in the second quarter of 2018.
Today almost everyone uses the internet to get information – even local information. Your potential customers are using their smartphones to decide where to go and what to buy.
Your small business has to come up in local search or else people who are searching will find other local businesses rather than yours.
Social media reach is diminishing
In 2018, people spent 50 million fewer hours on Facebook than they did in 2017.
Being on Facebook should not make you believe that you don’t need a website!
While social media can help your business grow, don’t bank on using it as your sole marketing channel, especially in the future.
You control the narrative.
It’s true that you cannot control what others say about you on social media channels, but you can influence public perception by creating your own story via a business website.
A company blog helps business owners get their message, mission, and personality in front of their target audience faster than print ads or snail mail brochures.
Plus, social icons linking to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other networking platforms make sharing your content easier for your visitors who like what they see.
It’s available 24/7/365
Your website will be available 24/7/365 even when you’re not. A website acts as your “always-on” business advocate during and outside of office hours. It does not require your physical presence to tell your story.
A website adds instant credibility to your business
The 21st-century consumer is skeptical. Having a good website instantly boosts your credibility as a legitimate business.
First impressions count, and websites allow you to make a very strong impression with a well-designed introduction for your business.
A website saves you time.
Whether you’re trading emails, making calls, or sending out proposals – communicating with potential customers takes time. Your website can save you at that time by providing answers to common customer questions and inquiries through Chatbots and FAQs.
It gives you an opportunity for data collection.
Getting people to write their phone numbers and email addresses on pieces of paper and handing them in the streets is hard. But getting people to type their email addresses into a box on a website is much easier. Once you have the email address and phone number you have another way to reach your potential customer.
Jeoffrey Ncube is a Creative Executive for MEJRKH Holdings. He has 4 years’ experience in respective fields of finance and digital media. Particular areas of expertise include Financial Reporting, Stockbroking, Mining Reporting, and Financial Media.
