You’re Being Left Behind
It’s surprising how many businesses have a website these days. According to recent statistics, millions of new web pages are added to the internet daily! Having a website used to be a big deal, but today it’s become commonplace. When handing out a business card, people expect to see your name, address, phone number, and a link to your website. Even small, independent sellers of handmade goods have their own websites now.
When we first wrote this article, we noted that some industries still didn’t have websites. But today, that has changed. Even the most niche industries have a presence online. Don’t believe it? Try searching for something as obscure as “mustache combs” on Google and marvel at the results. At the time of this post there were 111,000 results! The fact that such a niche product has an online presence shows that almost every business can benefit from a website.
What Does This Mean for You?
You might be wondering, “Why bring up mustache combs?” The point is, people are searching for even the most obscure products online. While the search volume for niche topics like mustache combs might not compete with popular terms like “iPhones” or “diamond engagement rings,” there are still potential customers out there. Your competitor who sells mustache combs is already showing up in search results—are you?
The True Purpose of a Website
Many people believe the sole purpose of a website is to attract new business through online traffic. This is certainly one of the goals we at Advertising Solutions, Inc. aim for, but it’s not always the most important. You might be surprised to hear this from an internet marketing company, but let’s break it down.
Website Traffic Isn’t Just About New Business
While getting new clients through your website is a great goal, the true value of having a website lies in how it complements and enhances your business’s overall presence. Research has shown that businesses with websites see better responses when they promote their web addresses on traditional media such as business cards, flyers, television ads, and even store windows. Why? Because today’s consumers expect to research businesses online before making decisions. They want to check your website to learn more about what you offer, and it’s often faster and easier to visit your site than to drive to your location. Not to mention, they can’t call at 2:00 a.m. to ask if you have a product in stock, but they can check your website at any time.
One of our clients shared a great example of how a website serves as an essential communication tool. A customer left their glasses at the store, but instead of calling, they went to the website and sent an email asking if the glasses could be placed on the site. Even in a seemingly trivial situation, the customer turned to the website first. This highlights how important it is for your business to have an online presence—your customers expect it.
The Economic Shift: Online Shopping
The need for a website has become even more critical in recent years. In a report published in early 2009, research revealed that while in-store retail sales declined during the 2008 holiday season, online sales surged. The shift to online shopping continues to grow, making it more important than ever for businesses to have an online presence. If you’re selling products, a website provides a platform to showcase and sell your goods directly to customers.
The Psychological Impact
Years ago, we mentioned that one psychological effect of having a website is that it helps build credibility. People often assume that a business with a website must be larger or more established than one that doesn’t have one. This assumption can work in your favor because consumers tend to associate websites with professionalism and trustworthiness.
Today, this assumption has evolved. Consumers now expect every business, big or small, to have a website. When they don’t find one, it raises doubts. We had a client tell us about an experience at a large product fair. He was selling his products when nearly everyone asked for his website address. Even if people didn’t buy right away, they still wanted to check out the website later. One vendor who didn’t have a website repeatedly said “no” when asked for his site address, and it became a point of confusion. The vendor’s reluctance to acknowledge the need for a website left a lasting impression. It’s clear that, just like a phone number, a website is now an essential part of doing business.
You Can’t Afford to Skip a Website
You can no longer survive without a website. It’s not just an optional tool—it’s a fundamental part of your business infrastructure. A website serves as another point of contact for your customers, whether it’s for showcasing products, answering inquiries, or even handling basic customer service. Just as you have a physical address, phone number, and email, having a website has become a necessary and expected part of modern business. If you want to stay competitive, it’s time to make sure you have an online presence that meets your customers’ needs and expectations.
Article Comments
You mentioned industries that are not as populated with web sites. Do you that it can be an advantage or disadvantage to target keywords that are specific in industry where not many sites come up?
Good question MC! Yes it can be beneficial. If you target keywords that are specific inside your industry you might hit upon some abstracts that people are looking for. This can really help you bring in those extra searches that return little results and if you do it right it can make you the first person that comes up. I would caution you on going too specific within a niche that has has little competition though. If you find that your niche has little competition then you need to aim at improving your placement most of all. If you have a lot of competition then you should aim for both. Target specifics and also go for your primary keywords.
One of the things that we take care of is analyzing your site and looking at what needs to be improved and how your competitors are doing.
lol mustache combs? 😛 too funny
Good information. I got my site a year ago. I didn’t think I needed one either but I was wrong. It wasn’t that expensive and it has already paid for itself a few times over. I decided to get my site when I saw that a lot of other people in my industry has one.