Just because a large company dominates an industry for decades doesn’t mean it can’t someday collapse into nonexistence. Kodak, Blockbuster and Lehman Brothers are examples of huge companies that were driven into bankruptcy, due to lack of vision. In the 21st century, a company’s identity is displayed on its website, which must meet current demands if it is to survive. Here are more reasons for a small business to have a website.

Customers Expectations

These days websites are so common that consumers expect them from every business. If your business doesn’t have a website, mobile users will find alternatives quickly. That’s important because the majority of searches for new products and services takes place online with the help of search engines. It’s bad enough if your business doesn’t show up in Google for your keywords, but if people can’t find your website online, you’re going to be doing your competition big favors.

Competitive Edge

Only 71% of small businesses have a website, according to a Clutch survey. You would think every business would understand by now that lacking a website is the quickest path to ancient history in the new century. Of those small businesses with websites, 79% are designed to be mobile-friendly. If you are not catering to mobile users, you’re letting competitors take leads away from you.

Showcase Your Expertise

A website is an ideal channel to present depth about your business. You will impress both consumers and Google if you share plenty of expertise on your site. A website is an opportunity to give your prospects something free – such as free knowledge – to reward them for showing interest in your material.

Demonstrate Authority to Search Engines

Google considers a combination of quantity and quality content to be significant components of how it views authority. The more you can showcase your expertise with a professional image and attract interactive followers, the more it can help your search rankings.

Accessibility and Credibility

Having a web presence provides a hub for followers to learn more about your offerings. It also gives your company a more credible image than if it didn’t have a site. People are less likely to perceive your company as a fly-by-night underground operation hiding from society and more likely to think you’re legitimate if you have a website.

Provide Convenience

Your website will make it easier for customers to buy from you since they will be able to instantly connect with the information you publish. Give customers what they are looking for and can easily share through social media, such as colorful imagery and interesting information.

Extend Your Market Reach

A website can potentially expand your target market, especially if you link it to social media profiles and do cross-promotion with thought leaders in your industry. One way to gain quick attention online is through pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns such as Google AdWords. Through this platform, you can run multiple campaigns at the same time to learn which ones work best for generating leads and conversions.

Generate Leads

One of the most powerful aspects of having a website is that it can bring you leads if you publish contact information, such as a phone number and email address. Capturing online leads allows you to build your email marketing list, which can be the key to future sales.

Create Brand Awareness

Visitors can learn a wealth of information about your brand if you provide deep content, such as a blog series that covers various aspects of your business. The website can promote a subscriber-based newsletter, which can provide instant reminders about your brand to your target audience.

Keep Followers Updated

Your website serves as a news source about your business. People may keep returning to your site if you keep feeding their minds with fresh captivating content.

There are plenty of good reasons to have a website. If you don’t have a site, many people will find competitors before they find you and may develop a deeper familiarity with brands they can visit whenever they want. Planning and creating a website is fun and necessary in today’s competitive business environment. Allow your target market to connect with your small business through an interactive website with social media links.