It seems that almost every business has a website these days. If you don’t have one you’re seen as out of touch or behind the times. But before you have one built you need to ask yourself; will having a website provide a positive return, both to me and my customers?
There’s a local restaurant near us. They have low prices and pretty good food. Most of their customers are locals, many of them seniors, who eat there regularly. They know the hours and the menu. They’re committed customers who don’t really need any information about the restaurant. A website might not provide any positive benefits for this particular business.
There’s also an auto repair shop near us with a good reputation and no shortage of customers. You wouldn’t think they need a website would you? But having a website might provide a positive return for them. Right now the only way for them to answer customer questions is by phone. Mechanics often have to stop what they’re doing to answer it. A properly designed website could provide answers to many of those questions without anyone ever having to stop and pick up the phone. The result would be less stress and more jobs completed. That sounds like a positive return doesn’t it?
The reality is that most businesses, no matter how small, need a website nowadays. It’s a tremendously effective way to get the word out. It helps your customers find the information, services or products they need. It can make your life easier, and make you more money. Even if your business is only focused on the local area you can do some inexpensive local marketing that will direct people to your site so they can take a better look at what you have to offer. If you plan to appeal to a larger audience, there’s no question that you need a website.
Before you build a website or have one built, ask yourself these questions. Will it make my life easier and/or increase my profits? Will it help my customers? If the answer is yes then having a website means a positive return not only to you, but to your customers. That sounds like a recipe for success to me.