Technology has changed the world as we know it, and it’s changed the way that we run our business as well. Whether you’re an established business that’s been in the game for years or you’re a brand-new business wanting to build credibility, you need to have a website. A recent study showed that only 51 percent of small businesses have websites, even though 97 percent of consumers search for products and services online. Consumers are consistently looking for products and services, so if you don’t have a website to reel them in, you’re missing out on a huge number of potential customers. We’re going to take a deeper look at why it’s so crucial to have a website in today’s day and age.

Websites can also be a cost-effective way to market your business. Much like social media, creating pages on your website costs little to nothing and can lead to an increase in leads. Forbes says “Once you’re online and have an SEO-optimized website, you have a chance of showing up in Google search results.”. Consumers typically look to search engines to find places and products near them, and by creating websites with SEO in mind, (if done correctly) you can end up on the top couple of pages of Google ensuring your website is visible to potential customers. The best part is that the only cost of creating a page is time. It costs very little to create and publish a website page, which is why creating a website is such a cost-effective marketing strategy.

Last but certainly not least, websites can be a great place to add your branding and build your brand awareness. Websites are a way to express who you are and what you do, as well as provide your customers with helpful information. “By clearly establishing who you are, what you represent and what you stand for, you increase the chances of your customers buying from you.” according to Forbes. This ties right back into building credibility, but both are very important to establish your presence. SeeResponse says, “People expect businesses to have a website where they can learn more about what they do, read customer reviews, and get some social proof that they’re a reputable business.” Make it easier for your customers to trust you and put the information they need on their website.

Websites are crucial to building and maintaining your business’s reputation. Consumers are constantly looking for credible information on the services and products they’re shopping for online and a website is the most cost-effective way to do that. If you don’t know where to start when it comes to creating a website, reach out to our team of experts at The Gratzi, Inc. We’ve helped countless businesses create and redesign their websites to connect with their customers. Let us help you create your dream website today!