You may ask yourself, Why is it so important for your business to have a website? … I already have a good customer brochure or i advertise on newspaper and business directories . With a website , your product or service is accessible locally and globally, to prospective customers 24 hours, 365 days a year.
Advantages..
1. Cost effective promotion and marketing
A website is a low cost, effective way to market your business. Television and magazine ads are great ways to publicize, but are often too expensive and do not always provide enough information. A website does not have a page or time constraint, so there is no rush to get the required information across.
Your business can advertise and publicize on the internet 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
2.Educate consumers about your business
Consumers can educate themselves about your business and get answers to many of their questions. This will help cut back on the number of phone calls you receive by putting this information on your website.
Many consumers research services and products online before purchasing. By having a website, you can inform potential customers of your services or products and what separates your business from your competitors. A website will familiarize consumers with your business and make them feel comfortable doing business with you.
3.Gain a larger number of clients
Everyday more people turn to the internet for their business solutions. Whether it is to research potential contractors, lawyers, or a new product and services, the internet introduces consumers to businesses they never would have heard of. Now people in USA can learn about services a company in Tanzania offers by the click of a mouse. Having a website introduces a business to new consumers and helps retain them as a client. These customers can be global or local.
4.Keep your clients updated
You can update your web site with your latest news or prices much easier and cheaper than print based media. A web site can save you a lot of money in communication and administration costs.
5.You can compete with other companies in your market area.
The popularity of the internet and understanding of the value of a website increases everyday. Businesses that have a website are already at a huge advantage over their competitors. In addition to having a wider clientele base, their business looks more professional and established. That also goes for the design of the website. When a consumer visits a clean well structured website and an average website that offers the same services, there is no doubt which business they will choose.
6. Improve business to customer relationships
Websites can improve business to customer relationships in more ways than just via communication, support and uptodate general information. A website can also inform a user of their project’s status, account information or balance.
7.You can sell your products online all over the world through an e-commerce systems.
Ecommerce allows people to carry out businesses without the barriers of time or distance. One can log on to the Internet at any point of time, be it day or night and purchase or sell anything one desires at a single click of the mouse.
8. Increase customer confidence
Customers can tell a lot about a company from the design of their website. An unorganized, unappealing website is a major turnoff to consumers. On the other hand, a professional looking website lets consumers know your business is serious and dedicated to their needs.
9.You can now place your web site address on your business card to enhance your image.
10. Provide convenient support for your customers
24hour phone support is great, but many companies do not have the funding to provide such a service. A website is a way to help support a customer’s needs when phone support is unavailable. Many websites have a frequently asked questions page that answers many customer concerns. Businesses can also provide common lessons and tutorials on their website that will help customers accomplish their goals. If customers still have support issues, a website can allow them to submit their problem via web form which will allow a business to provide an appropriate solution in a timely manner.