If you are a small business owner and you're looking for a cost effective way to reach out to your customers, getting a website could be the single best investment you can make. Statistics have shown that over the past few years traditional advertising media such as printed business cards, flyers, and brochures are on the decline and internet marketing and advertising is on the rise. It's also become apparent that more people are on their mobile devices now than ever before searching for products and services online. Keep reading to discover 10 ways that having a website can benefit your small business.

1. Your Competitors Probably Have Their Own Websites

When people search the internet for your products and services they are probably finding your competitors websites. If they are doing a good job with their internet marketing then you are certainly losing customers to them because of it!

2. It Strengthens Your Brand

Having a professionally designed website helps to strengthen your business image. A poorly designed website can hurt your business too. Sometimes just the look and feel of your website can have visitors sold on what you have to offer. Just think about it... If you visited a business website that was clean, well designed, easy to navigate, and informative, you would probably trust them more than a business with a website that loads up flashing banners and crazy music that you can't turn off now wouldn't you?

3. Customers Expect Reputable Businesses To Have Websites

Lets face it. This day in age if you can't find a business on the internet then they pretty much don't exist. People expect to be able to find information about your business with just a simple search. If I am out and about and I want to find a business I pull out my iPhone and do a Google search to help direct me to where I need to go. Where is your business when customers are trying to find you?

4. Your Website Serves Visitors 24/7

Do you have the resources and staff available to cover the phones 24/7? If you do then more power to you but chances are you have to sleep sometime if you're a small business owner. The great thing about having a website is it never sleeps. This means your customers can visit at any time and find information, send you email, order your products, and more! How nice would it be to wake up in the morning to find that you have sold 20 products through your website overnight?

5. It Gives Your Business Some Bragging Rights

Good businesses tend to get good reviews online. What better place to show off how much your clients and customers love you than your website? This is a great place to strengthen trust in your brand and give people a better reason to choose you over any of your competitors.

6. You Website Can Capture Leads

Having a nice website that people come visit is only part of the puzzle to online success with your business. Your website can also capture leads for you that may later become your clients and customers! A good way for your website to keep in touch with prospects is with email marketing and contact forms. Giving away a free report or special offer in exchange for a name and email address is a great way to build a list of interested prospects that you can send marketing emails to with offers, deals, and updates that drive them back to your website and encourage them to contact you.

7. Answer Common Questions

Adding an FAQ or frequently asked questions section to your website is a great way to answer common questions your customers may ask. Things such as company policies, terms of service, and shipping information can be good candidates for being included in an FAQ.

8. Provide Information In Your Industry

Providing information to your website visitors is another way that you can place your business in a positive light. When people are trying to learn about your industry and what products or services are offered, your business website can be the answer to their questions. A website that provides quality content and useful information is bound to attract a stronger following and reader base.

9. Gather Feedback

Getting feedback from your website can be a valuable resource to your business. You can use your website to do surveys, conduct polls, provide product support, and more. This gives you more information that you can use to improve the way that you serve your customers and your website visitors.

10. Cost Effective And Low Risk

Getting a website for your small business is very affordable. The price of billboard signs or print advertising can easily surpass the cost of getting a website built for your business while not providing as much value and return on your investment. Websites are also easily changed and updated which means you can always provide fresh content to your readers and customers.

These are just a few of the ways small business website design can benefit you. If you enjoyed this article and found it useful for you feel free to “like” and “share” it to your friends!