Why Small Businesses Need Websites

Businesses need websites regardless of what size they are or how much work they get through word of mouth. It can be daunting to some small business owners if they are not into IT, but it can be a lot simpler and more cost-effective than you might think.

Why Have a Website?

A website can offer several things. Firstly, potential customers can Google you to see what sort of business you are. This will make you much more trustworthy in the eyes of the customer. People expect to be able to see the website of the company they are dealing with, and you may find you lose a lot of business to your competitors if you don’t have a website and they do.

According to Credit Expert, 57% of small businesses don’t have websites. Therefore, making sure you have one will put you at the top of the pack for potential customers for the moment. However, every month more and more small businesses are creating their own websites. You will soon find that you are left behind if you don’t have one yourself.

What If You Are Happy with Your Level of Business?

Not every business owner necessarily wants to grow or expand. However, a website can also be a great place to put information you want potential customers to know about your company. For example, your opening hours and product information can be put on your website too. It could save you a lot of time and effort if customers can see these details immediately rather than having to phone up and ask you.

Cost

A website can cost you as much or as little as you want to spend. You can find a free template on the internet or hire someone to create one for you. Typically, you will find yourself paying for:

Hosting – This is the service providing space on the internet for your website.
Domain Name – This is the name of your website. You can buy a domain at names.co.uk.
Design – The more elaborate the design, the more you are likely to be charged.
Plug-ins and Extensions – These will also increase the cost of your website.

You really do need a website to get noticed in industry these days. The question should not be whether you can afford to get one, but can you afford not to?