8 REASONS WHY YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS A PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE

Like many small business owners, you may believe your business cannot benefit from having a website or that a website is not within your budget. Or maybe you think because you don’t use a computer, neither do your potential customers. These are misconceptions. These 8 reasons show why your company NEEDS a professional website, no matter what size your business.

1. YOUR SMALL BUSINESS WILL GAIN CREDIBILITY

Today, more and more consumers use the internet to search for the products or services they need. Your small business will gain credibility by having a website. Without one, potential customers will go to your competitors that do. If you already have a website but it is "home-made", having it professionally redesigned will provide your business with a professional image which will inspire even greater confidence. For home-based businesses, this is particularly beneficial since you do not have a store front to promote your products or services. 

2. A WEBSITE SAVES YOU MONEY

As a small business owner you probably think you can't afford a professional website, but you can't afford NOT to. Although the cost of designing a website varies, once it's up and running, a website for a small business generally costs under $100 a month and, in some cases, as little as $20. Compared with the cost of a newspaper ad, when you consider the potential market you can reach with a website, it is a very cost effective way to promote your business.

3. IT WILL ENABLE YOU TO KEEP YOUR CUSTOMERS INFORMED

Think of your website as being your online brochure or catalogue. It is much easier and quicker to update information about your products and services on your website than in print material, making it an effective way of letting your customers know about the arrival of new products, upcoming events, special promotions, or any new services you now offer. Unlike print ads which quickly become outdated, your website can provide current information and news.

4. IT IS ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE

A website is available to both your regular and potential customers 24/7/365 providing them with the convenience of reviewing your products and services when your store or office is closed. With today’s busy lifestyles, this is a great selling point when making a purchase decision.

5. A WEBSITE MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO TARGET A WIDER MARKET

Whether you provide products or services, your website will provide an alternative location to sell them. As a retailer, a website (eCommerce) is a great place to sell your products to a wider market; even services can be made available globally. Don't think you'll be able to sell your products or services online? Don't forget, even cars and houses sell online!

6. IT PROVIDES A MEDIUM ON WHICH TO SHOWCASE YOUR WORK

No matter what type of business you’re in, a website is a great place to showcase your work. By including a portfolio or image gallery, as well as testimonials about your work, you can demonstrate what makes your business unique.

7. A WEBSITE SAVES YOU TIME

Providing information to your customers takes time, whether it’s on the phone, face-to-face, in a brochure, or in emails. With an online catalogue you can provide lots of information about your products and services. Once your website is up and running, it is available to your customers indefinitely, saving you time. And what is time? Time is money!

8. IT IMPROVES CUSTOMER SERVICE

Maybe you sell environmentally friendly products and would like to share tips on how to recycle, or perhaps you’re an accountant and want to give your clients advice on how to simplify their bookkeeping practices. By including a FAQ page, adding articles or uploading newsletters to answer all your customers' questions you can keep them up-to-date. What better way to provide them with value added service than by sharing information on your website.

Why Small Business Software Are Important

Nowadays, as people look around, they will notice that there is an increase in the rivalry in the entrepreneurial world. This is brought about by the presence of little enterprises which have been established to compete with the bigger ones. These tiny ventures may seem insignificant in terms of size but they usually have a relatively large customer base because of the specific and specialized services that they provide.

Because of this demand, many of their owners are now looking for ways in order to run their operations more smoothly. Most of them are leaning towards the field of technology, which has become advanced over the years and has been proven to help prominent corporations. If you are one of these entrepreneurs, you may want to consider getting computer programs for small businesses.

There are many advantages in using this kind of software. One of these is that it can help in automating some tasks which are necessary in running an enterprise. Examples of these are collecting data, calculating figures, and creating reports and graphs. This type of work will seem trivial at first but, as your venture begins to grow, they will increasingly get in the way of your expansion. However, if you utilize electronic applications to do them, they can be accomplished in a short while, enabling you to save time, effort, and manpower.

These programs also allow you to have a smooth computing experience, particularly if you have to use several data processors in your office. With numerous units in your network, you may go through slow connections or technical glitches. A system optimization software, however, can do constant checks to make sure that everything is functioning well and that you will immediately be alerted if any problem occurs. Of course, with these, you will likewise be able to save all crucial data and back them up in a safe place. Having security applications can also protect your equipment from harmful viruses and malicious hackers who can browse through important information such as passwords, private documents, and tax data.

These kinds of software can be installed by a company that offers expert IT services. With the help of this firm and of reliable computer programs, you will be able to develop your small business and turn it into something greater.