So you’re trying to figure out if you need a website for your small business.
You have a Facebook page for it, and maybe that’s really all you need, right?
Think again.
Whether it’s basically an online portfolio, a simple website with a blog or something more complicated, all businesses need a website in this day and age. And surprisingly, 40 percent of small businesses do not have a website according to Industry Drive.
A website will be your small business’ home on the internet. It’s how people will find you, it will afford you more control and it’s where you’ll do your business with online customers. In short, it is a second storefront, and likely one that’s more visible than your physical one.
So yes, your business does need a new website.
It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive
First off, I want to dispel a few things about websites, especially if you’re building a website for your business for the first time. Your website doesn’t have to be fancy or cost a ton of money.
You don’t really need the coolest or flashiest website out there. You just need something that looks nice and presentable and displays all of your information correctly. That’s really it. As long as people can use the website and learn more about your business, you’re pretty well set off.
Plus, website’s don’t have to cost a ton of money. Of course, my definition of being costly is probably different than your definition. And sure, if you want to go down the custom website route, you’re probably going to be paying over $2,000 or so.
But if you’re just starting out, you can find a developer that will be able to set up a WordPress website, or something similar, install a theme and add other functionality for under $1,000. And while I acknowledge that that price might be a bit of a shock, a website for your business is an investment. And it’s worth paying for it now rather than having to pay more for it down the road.
So if you’re worried about not being able or being able to afford a website, don’t be. If you find the right developer, you can work with them to build you something nice and affordable.
Your website, your control
Also, having your own website means that you are in control of your website. You don’t have to play by anyone else’s rules.
Tired of the lack of reach on Facebook and having to pay to boost your posts? You don’t have to deal with that on your website.
Hate the way Facebook, and other social media, force you to be inside of a nice and neat box when your business doesn’t fit said box? Don’t worry. You can basically do what you want with your own site.
Now granted, there are obviously costs with websites, but basic SEO and especially Local SEO can give you that reach without having to worry about boosting posts. Really these days, most of my traffic comes from search engines, not social media platforms.
Plus, you can break out of that box and build a design that works with your business. You can add an online store or a forum or become a membership website. You create the rules.
The sky’s the limit with your own website.
Get the Roadmap to a New Website for Your Small Business
Are you ready to create a website for your small business, but aren’t sure where to begin? No worries. It can be a big worry, especially if you’ve never really worked with websites before. But you can download the small business website guide that can give you a roadmap to a successful website build that will grow your business!
Download the Guide Today!You can take it anywhere
Facebook won’t be around forever. No social media platform is. Remember MySpace? Exactly.
Heck, even web hosts won’t be around forever. Or maybe you find one with a better value than your current host. And trust me, you will likely move web hosts at least once.
Having your own website — whether it’s a simple HTML website or uses something like WordPress, Drupal or Joomla — makes moving easier if you have to. You can take your database and your files and take them somewhere else. Granted, you’ll need to know how to do that or bring in someone who does, but it’s a fairly simple process.
Facebook and other social media platforms will allow you to export your data, but it’s nowhere near easy to get that imported somewhere else.
That’s incredibly crucial for your business. Because you will have to move somewhere else online. There are no “if’s” about it.
Easier to get found on Google
Most of your traffic either is coming to or will be coming to your website from search engines. In the past week, roughly 94 percent of traffic to my website is going to be coming from Google and other search engines.
Simply put search engines are going to be how many people find you.
Of course, your Facebook page could also appear in search results. But the reality is that your page will only show if people directly type your business name. And how many people will do that? Those aren’t the people you’re trying to reach.
Instead, the people you’re trying to reach —prospective customers or clients — are using relative keywords and questions. For example, they will likely ask how to do something or use other keywords related to your business area.
You’ll need search engine optimization to be able to reach those searches. And the only surefire way to accomplish that is through your own website that has the right code structure, utilizes those keywords and garners the back links necessary to rise up the rankings and reach those prospective clients.
That’s worth more than any Facebook like or Twitter follower.
A website is a place for your small business to call home
Finally, and probably most importantly, this website is going to be the place that you call home for your small business online.
All of your digital marketing efforts are going to be pointing back to this website. All of your links on Facebook, Twitter and other social media will point back here. All of your Google ads will land visitors on your landing pages on the website.
It is where people will do business with you online — whether it’s through buying a product through an online store, submitting a lead form or even just filling out your contact form.
Having that one place for everyone to funnel to that you have total control over is incredibly important in today’s digital world. It’s your chance to begin turning those interested and prospective customers into paying customers.
And that means everything for your business.
So if you’re on the fence about whether or not you need a website for your small business or if your Facebook page is simply enough, let me just say that no, it’s not enough. Whether it’s custom or from a template, you need that place to call home, to attract leads and to have total control over.
That will be more than worth whatever price you pay for a new website.
