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Why every business needs an online presence in 2023

 

 

Author: Yvonne Verrall, CEO, Blue Butterfly Marketing & Communications

 

Date: 30 December 2022

 

Regardless of the type of business you are in, to have an online presence in 2022 and beyond is an absolute prerequisite. Not only will it positively impact your business in terms of growth, it is the entrance for customers to do business. It is as critical as having a physical shop, office or contact number. The quality of your website would impact on results, but the purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of ensuring that you have a website. According to a study, 6/10 customers expect brands to have content online about their business. Here are 10 reasons why you should invest in your business' online presence:

 

1. Online brand presence 24-7: 

Showcasing your brand online to your prospective customers is one of the most important things that you can do. By clearly establishing your brand, who you are, what you represent and what you stand for, will increase the chances of your customers buying from you. Meaning that your customers are able to find you wherever they may be, at any time. As most competitors would have a website, means that you can set yourself apart from competitors. Without a website, means that competitors will get the business.

 

2. Communication channels

A website provides an easy way to communicate to customers as it would contain important information that they are searching for such as operating hours, contact information, collection of products and/or services, and provides lead generation forms to facilitate enquiries from customers. Together with the integration of social media channels, engaging videos and posts creates an efficient and cost effective medium to advertise and to build up a community of engaged potential customers.

 

3. Saves you time and provides Customer Service

As FAQs and general information can be listed on your website, can save you time, costs and effort, and provide immediate customer service. A website can reduce unnecessary enquiries that would detract from business productivity. By providing the information on the website would create a better user experience.

 

4. Creates lead generation

One of the most attracting reasons to have a website for your business is that it can increase lead generation to grow your business. Once people find you online, and become interested in your products and/or services they will contact you via your website, either telephonically, by email or lead form, and provides an opportunity to generate sales. Despite there being an initial cost to having a website developed, when used correctly, will generate a positive ROI.

 

5. Creates credibility

Without a website, people may question your legitimacy as a business. By having a website that looks good, easy to navigate and clearly communicates quality information to your customers, provides an opportunity to make a great first and lasting impression and gives people comfort that you’re a real business. A positive user-experience on your website will attract customers.

 

6. Reduces costs

By having an e-commerce functionality built into your website to sell products and/or services directly to consumers, can eliminate major overheads of having a physical store/s that incur large operating costs such as a binding lease, staff wages, utilities, etc. By eliminating these overheads will also allow you to lower prices, giving your business a real competitive advantage.

 

7. Digital Marketing

As a website and social media provides convenience for advertising through digital marketing and social media, tools such as Google AdWords or advertising on Facebook will empower you to target your customers more accuracy in comparison to traditional advertising methods. As SEO and online advertising creates awareness of your brand, and if done correctly, will increase traffic to your website.

 

8. Search engine optimisation

Once your website is SEO-optimised and live, there would be a chance of your website domain appearing in the Google search results, and provides an opportunity for you to increase your customer base considerably.

 

9. Database

By having a newsletter subscription functionality built into your website, will also build up your database for lead generation as well as customer retention.

 

10. Consumer Insights

As websites and social media platforms have data analytic tools built into the sites, it is convenient for you to analyse and understand the data as to who your typical customer is, geographic location, how they found you, what they like, etc, and you can adapt your business to maximise purchases through your website and digital channels.

 

See how Blue Butterfly Marketing can enable evolution for your business through creating a website for your company. Visit https://www.bluebutterflymarketing.co.za 

 

 

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2020/02/03/why-every-business-needs-a-website/?sh=7ee3c87b6e75