Benefits of a website during the pandemic
The pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for businesses to have a functional website. Many held on a light string because of the internet, read on below to see how a healthy and functional online presence saved many businesses;
Internet: A window to the world
Because of the lockdown, people spent more time inside, and soon, began to feel like animals in a cage. The internet became our way of working, interacting with friends we couldn’t see anymore, watching movies, listening to music, reading, staying informed, etc.
According to sky news, in Britain, the time spent online increased by approximately 15% in the first months of the pandemic! This to businesses meant that potential clients could not reach out physically, therefore the only way they could gain recognition is to have a solid online presence, and thus a website.
A Source for Brand Recognition
Or, the prime component of your business’s survival. It is the best and most cost-effective way to showcase your product/service.
Throughout the pandemic, most physical businesses had to shut their doors. However, even if your business is closed, it’s important to remember that the internet is open 24/7. Just because clients may no longer be able to walk into your office/shop doesn’t mean that demand has dropped or that they have stopped shopping altogether. They have just found a new way to do so.
Ease of Access
By having a website, a customer can get all the information about you, your offers, and anything they might want. It is way easier than having to call the office/shop, wait for opening hours and for a long time on the line, etc. Research shows that 92% of consumers start their purchase journey on a search engine. This level of convenience motivates even the most subtle inquiries which when well handled could easily convert into purchases.
A website will save both your and the customer’s time; it’s a double win!
Social Media Back Up
Having social media accounts is already very positive, as you can be closer to your (potential) customers, create a positive brand image, and stay ahead of the trends. It’s also a proven strategy through which you can draw timely and honest feedback from your clients or brand community. A good website then acts as a link-back tool to give your business credibility.
A website helps to hold and present the most important communications/information compare to social media mostly cares about what’s trending today. Moreover, once set up, a website is easier to manage than your social media accounts! We also write a guide on how to brand your social media to increase your reach and increase inquiries.
Stay ahead of the Competition
Luck of a good online presence is a dangerous move, especially since your competitors might already have one!
You are missing out on gaining new customers and being at the forefront of your customers’ minds. Indeed, as they stay more and more online, they also see more and more businesses’ websites and are more prone to think about your competition especially if they appear more appealing. A business with zero online presence is invisible these days which allows the rest to showcase their offers.
Sales and Fulfillment
For businesses offering services, sales and fulfillment are keys to business success. Failure to position yourself or your services directly in front of your customers, thus online, will cause a significant decline in business.
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that relying solely on physical interactions with customers will put the business in serious trouble should the need to close shop arise. With a website, however, you can continue with business “as usual”. Your customers will still be able to reach you and you can still provide the services they’re looking for. Additionally, it represents a huge opportunity to expand abroad, as you are not bound to a geographic area anymore.
A bonus addition is that a well-planned website allows the integration of other tools that would allow for easy after-sales services.
Keep Customers Aware, Engaged, and Satisfied
As you surely know, doing business is all about relationships. This is especially true for service-oriented organizations. Developing a strong relationship with your customers is how you get them to stick with you for the long haul. It creates a type of loyalty that is not easily swayed.
With a website, you can further strengthen these relationships by making it easy for customers to stay in the loop. Your website is where you can post updates about your services. It provides an “always-on” resource clients can use to contact you. The constant availability of a website allows to resolve clients and leads concerns faster, and delivers better results.
In conclusion
There are more statistics and benefits a website would add to a business. A business owner should remember that clients and prospects rely on your website to research, understand and access your services. In most cases, they will even draw comparisons based on online presence and reviews.