For some reason many small businesses are still on the ropes when it comes to taking advantage of an Internet presence. Many businesses think that a website is unnecessary because they have survived for the last 50 years without one. But statistics and recent studies are against this. According to to the “User View Wave VII” from BIA/Kelsey and ConStat, 97% of Internet users research online to search for local products and services. That’s a staggering statistic, to think how many businesses are still ignoring the fact that the vast majority of their potential customers are looking for them online. It’s a simple fact that if you don’t have a web presence, you are like a business with no signs and doors that are closed.
By having a website, your business will no longer be limited to your hours of operation. Or the amount of staff you have to handle inquiries or request for information. An internet presence is not just about selling your products online, but it could be as simple as providing frequently ask questions about your business or common objections and clarifications about your product.
If your prospective customers and current clients can simply visit you online and find information they need, when they need it, this will dramatically increase their satisfaction and improve the customer service you provide to them.
Your competitors are already online and if they have a much more professional presence that you, then you are loosing out to them whether you like it or not. Some of them maybe bigger than you, but your web presence can even the playing field and help you stay competitive. The key is, if your customers can’t find you online then your competitors are getting their business when they search for your type of business.
Most customers don’t buy the first time, some may do research about your company online before they decide on doing business with you, and if they don’t find you, or worst, what is published online about your business may be negative and your credibility dramatically decreases and you are throwing away your customers and giving them to your competitors.
Gone are the days where you simply ignore your internet presence. And to top this off, your customers may already be talking about your business on the Internet. It may or may not be good conversations that are being said about your business online. And if you small businesses continue to ignore this, sooner or later, it will impact their businesses, positively or negatively.
