Stu Macik_Broken Sky Studio Web Design and Development, Denver, Colorado
Recently, I was asked by a prospective client “Do I really need a website for my small business?”
I think the answer lies in the fact that I’ve never been asked that question by one of my clients with a larger, more established business because they already know the answer is “absolutely”. In fact, the question I hear most often from them is “What’s it going to take for my site to be effective against my competition?” The question of needing a website has already been established through real the world experience of owning a business for a longer period of time and having been through the wars.
So if you’re asking yourself this question, let me relate to you what some of my clients with established businesses have told me about the benefits of having a professionally designed and developed website.
1. A professional website can help establish your Brand. Building brand identity can be a difficult task, no doubt about it. A professional website aids in the process by giving you a valuable marketing tool on what has become the “go to” resource for anyone seeking goods and services.
2. It can tilt the playing field in your favor. Almost every business has some kind of website and though in some situations no site can be better than a bad one, there is practically no debate as to the value of a professionally designed and developed site in a competitive business environment. People respond positively when they experience an intelligently crafted and aesthetically pleasing site which in turn helps grow your business and profits.
3. It gives “Easy Access” to your business. Even small service companies can benefit from a web presence in that a website becomes an easily accessible on-line business card or brochure that establishes credibility in the marketplace. For larger companies, a website becomes an easy, cost effective way to market to potential customers.
4. It says “I’m A Professional”. Of course the caveat here, once again, is that the site must be professional in content, usability and aesthetics. A site with a poor Information Architecture (IA) or that is poorly written or executed can just as easily say, or perhaps more likely shout “Hey, I’m an amateur”. We’ve all visited sites where we’ve said to ourselves “You know, based on this site, I don’t think I want to do business with these guys”.
These are but a few of the benefits I’ve heard over the years but I think they make the point that a professionally designed and developed site is a sound investment for any business wanting to grow and prosper in today’s business climate.
-Stu
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