The ultimate question as a small business owner: will investing in a website be worth it? In this post, I’m breaking down why investing in a professionally designed website can take your business to the next level–in more ways than one!
TL;DR: Nearly every type of business will greatly benefit from having a website. Wondering why? Keep on reading!
A website is a long-term investment.
If the price tag associated with a professionally designed and developed website feels daunting, it can be helpful to consider how a website is a long-term investment that will pay off for years to come. It’s not like a vacation–where the investment is over after the experience is over! In general, the ROI of a well-designed website will last for 5+ years. If you keep it updated with relevant content and design styles, it can even last you decades. For comparison, here’s a list of the lifespan of different content types:
- Instagram Post = 48 hours
- Linkedin Post = 24 hours
- Facebook Post = 6 hours
- YouTube video = 20 days
Unlike a social media post, a website will last you years, and even decades if you update it on occasion and keep it relevant.
All roads lead back to your website.
Your website should serve as the foundation of your marketing efforts. Your social media posts, newsletters, and advertisements lead customers or clients back to your website.
As of 2020, 63% of all sales start online! This means a potential client or customer–even if you have a physical location–will first look at your website to see if they are interested. If you don’t have a website or if you have a poorly designed website, you could be losing out on sales every day. Without the strong foundation a website provides, you could be wasting your time, energy, and money on digital ads and content marketing.
Investing in a website gives you a competitive advantage.
As of 2021, 71% of small businesses have a website, and 81% of customers research online before purchasing. It’s become an expectation among consumers that a company has a website. The truth is, if you don’t have a website, your potential customer will find a competitor online who does. We live in the digital age, where so many choices are available and there is fierce competition. Consumers expect a smooth online experience–and if you don’t give them one, they will find a business that does.
A report from Zendesk actually showed that a poorly designed and optimized site drives an average of 50% of users straight to the competition. Plus, Adobe found that 38% of users will stop interacting with a poorly designed website, and 40% will leave a website with a slow load time. If you don’t have a well-designed and developed site, these statics may be discouraging.
I’m always a data-nerd, but the numbers don’t lie in this case! Having a website increases the likelihood of customers finding you, of customers picking you over the competition, and of your chances of making a sale.
Investing in a website can build brand authority and trust.
Take a second to think about how you feel when you land on a well-designed website. You may not be able to explain why you like it, but you think “Oooh, I like this!”
That’s how I feel when I go to Here Studio’s site. It’s aesthetically pleasing, easy to navigate, clean, and clear. When we find websites like this, we’re more likely to trust the brand. It shows us that the business cares about our experience as potential customers or clients. Especially if we’re talking about online service providers, your client experience starts as early as the first website interaction.
The way customers or clients perceive your brand is greatly influenced by your website. Believe it or not, 94% of first impressions about your business come from someone’s first glance at your website and 84% of today’s consumers think a website makes your business more credible.
High-quality design leaves a lasting impression.
While just having a website can be a step in the right direction, investing in a well-designed website is where the magic happens. Consistent branding and design can increase revenue by as much as 33%. Over many years, think about what 33% more revenue would mean for your business!
The trust and authority you build with a potential client or customer can start and end before you ever speak with them. Studies show that 75% of credibility comes from website design. If you have a great website, the chances of someone trusting your product or service skyrocket. And if you’re just relying on Instagram to build authority, it might be time to take your business to the next level.
Investing in a website can increase visibility.
I won’t go into all the details of search engine optimization (SEO) or content marketing in this post, but I will say, having a website allows your business to be found organically on search engines.
When you invest in a strategically developed website with SEO in mind, you’re giving Google the big green light to show your website to interested searchers. Over time, this will result in free traffic to your website, increased brand awareness, and increased sales.
When you pair a beautifully designed website with a strategically developed website, you have a recipe for success. Ideal clients or customers will love your brand’s aesthetic and love how easy your website is to navigate. When you create a smooth online experience worth remembering, you’re more likely to turn customers into brand advocates.
Ready to invest in a high-quality website?
Through my website in a week service, we’ll work together to design and develop the perfect website for your business in just one week. If you’ve been putting off investing in a website, this short turnaround time will get it checked off your to-do list quickly. Ready to get started? Fill out this short form and we’ll get the ball rolling!
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