5 reasons your business needs an online presence
Having an online presence could have a huge impact on any business.
There are many advantages to having an online presence for both large and small businesses. However, it could be difficult for small businesses to see the benefits without understanding what these advantages are.
We have listed 5 key advantages why any business should have an online presence, whether it’s a simple 1 page information website or a 10 page eCommerce website.
1. Reach a global audience and target market
In order to reach customers that are a great distance away from you, the most successful and cost-effective way to do so is the web. In the UK 34,000,000 people have internet access, which is 57.2% of the entire population. Of these, people who surf regularly comes to more than 21,000,000, a whopping 61%!
To reach that target market, a business website is a great way to specify your services and exhibit your professionalism to people who are looking for you or the services you can provide. It’s also a great way of protecting your market.
2. Maximise exposure
Your website is like a business card to people who are searching online for that particular service or product, as it is sure to contain contact information.
This will build existing customer retention and create an element of trust for potential customers. If a business cannot be found online, 9 out of 10 times people will look for someone else.
3. 24/7 service
Your website is accessible to your existing and prospect customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People with a busy lifestyle, unable to physically go and look for a business, can find your business in their own time.
4. Endless marketing
An online presence is a good way of saving money on many traditional advertising methods. A website can be modified frequently and easily to ensure it is up-to-date and any updates can simply be added whenever needed.
A website can also be supported by marketing methods such as email, pay-per-click and link-building to help increase brand awareness and traffic to your site.
5. Increase business value
With an online presence you have the opportunity to capture existing or potential customers’ information. This data could be used in the future to help boost sales or simply as a market research exercise to improve customer service.
If you are looking to sell online this would benefit your productivity, increase sales and profitability. Overall, it could increase the value of your business and give scope for further growth.
