Do I really need a website in 2020?
By: Alicia Besentie
Tags: Digital Marketing, Small Business Marketing, Website Design, Seo Services, Website

Many businesses ask: do I really still need a website in 2020? And the answer to that is: hell yes you do!

There are billions of searches made every day using Google and the rest of the internet alone. Now more than ever is the best time to get yourself a website and establish your presence online.

The importance of having a website

Having a website will benefit you or your business in many different ways, from the additional marketing opportunities it brings to simply having information accessible online.

Just by having a website, it’s easy to direct customers from your social media or other online platforms, to see what you and your company are all about.

For instance, your website will have contact details, an address to your store or company, making it easy for you to gain more business through your website itself.

Benefits of having a website :

Enhances your advertising

Easy access for new & existing customers

Improves sales as you will be online

Available 24–7 providing customer service

When or if your location has changed

Promotes your services & products

Profitable

Available to all users

More professional

Expands your audience reach

Giving you or your company that online presence

Affordable advertising

Improves company appearance

Engages users with content

Receive vital information from key customers

Opportunity to get more users via SEO

The importance of having a really GREAT website for your business!

So now we’ve established the importance of having a website. Next is the importance of having a really good website!

Your website is the first impression that your potential customers will see once they visit your site. Whether people have been directed to your site by an ad, Google search, link, or via a friend, this will be their first impression.

Before people come into contact with you or your business, a really great website will make sure you stand out (and in the way you want to!)

What really makes my website great?

In our opinion, these are the four most important features of any great website:

1. Branding

Make sure your site reflects your brand visually as well as functionally, with everything your customers need to know about you in one place. You want your website to have a modern, clean and professional look so it is appealing and encourages customers to return and bring traffic to your site.

2. Easy navigation

Think about what you want your customers to see and do on your site, and how easy it is for them to do that and get where they need to go. For example: If a customer finds it difficult to access contact info, opening times, address, or to make an enquiry, they will already be unsatisfied if they are unable to do so.

3. Optimised for Search Engines (SEO)

Make sure you have your keywords in your headings, subheading and copy across your important pages. You also need optimised images, a great linking structure, and great content to ensure your users spend time on your page. This will set you up for search engine success in the long run!

4. Mobile friendly

Design your site with mobile users in mind first! Make sure it’s fully functional and scales down well so your mobile users can use and access everything easily.

These days, people use their phones a lot more than using a computer or any other device to access the internet. You want to ensure that your website design is easy to use via mobile otherwise you may have just lost a potential customer.

5. Browser friendly

Good browser quality is essential across all browsers. Before you launch your website, ensure that you have tried and tested it on all browsers. This is a common mistake that is made during the process of building a website. You want all the hard work to pay off right? Try your website on a tablet, laptop, iMac, Macbook iPad, or use a tool that will do all this in one go.

What are the benefits of having a website for small businesses in particular?

For small businesses in particular who may have built up an engaged social following or a well-established Etsy store, the importance of having a website will truly upgrade your small business to the next level.

1. Having a website brings a professional feel to your social media

Although social media is a brilliant tool for advertising it is not the greatest for purchasing looking professional, you don’t want your customers trying to search for your business and realising that you do not have a website.

2. Your website gives you a platform for creating blogs and sending newsletters

Writing useful blogs or newsletters and sending them via email to your customers, encouraging them to visit the site, plus pick up new traffic through the search engines with SEO.

Online marketing is the perfect tool to establish yourself and build a presence. There are a lot of free things you can do in order for you to bring traffic to your site.

3. You can set up a professional email with your domain name

Make sure that your email corresponds to your business, you don’t want your customers receiving emails from a public email address such as Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail.

4. You can use Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising

Using PPC can benefit your business and before you know it you’ve brought in lots of new customers. Don’t be put off by the name, as it allows you to set a budget (on Google Ads, as low as £1.32 per day!).

PPC can help you bring the correct traffic to your website or landing pages. It allows you to generate quality leads to ensure you are reaching the correct audience. Plus, you can create your own ads, allowing you to only pay for ads that represent you perfectly.

If you’re thinking of setting up a website for your business, personal brand or creative side hustle, we’d love to discuss your thoughts. Feel free to contact us at Amaris Press for a free, no-obligation chat.