Is a website beneficial to my business?

Do you want to build a website? Do you want to showcase your new business or project online? Maybe you have recently started a new company or project? The purpose of this article is to examine some of the benefits, downsides, and alternatives of having a website.

When it comes to establishing an online presence, a website is probably the first thing that comes to mind. Websites serve as your digital shop window, allowing customers to learn more about you and your services from anywhere, anytime. With a professional website, you can also appear “bigger” or “more established” than you are. Smaller businesses can compete with larger ones by utilising this strategy. When you have a website, you can remain online and receive enquiries and orders 24/7.

Of course, there are reasons not to have a website. Newly established businesses on a tight budget may face an immediate barrier due to the initial cost. It is also necessary to produce content. The best way to make your website stand out is to keep adding new, engaging content on a regular basis. In addition, websites require ongoing maintenance in order to remain effective and secure. Your website may need to be managed by a professional if you don’t have the time or expertise.

Creating your own website can be a tempting option and may appear to be the cheaper and easier choice. Beginners can take advantage of hosted platforms such as Wix and Squarespace. Most of these vendors offer free options, but many additional features require a monthly subscription, which can quickly add up. The limitations of such services may become apparent as your business grows instead of using a more powerful CMS such as WordPress. A web design agency can still offer you a good value website that is tailored to your business’ needs. It may be worth consulting a web design professional before deciding.

If you decide a website isn’t right for you after weighing the pros and cons, don’t fret! You can take advantage of the following alternatives:

A social media platform can be a great alternative to a website. For businesses just starting out, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn provide a free way to advertise and market their business. Your business and products can be promoted to your target audience and connected with like-minded individuals and businesses when you have the right marketing strategy. Online shops can even be connected to certain platforms. Social media is a great advertising tool for many businesses.

You can register your business online with Google My Business, a free service provided by Google. Whenever someone searches for you directly, or for a service you provide, your details will appear in special infoboxes. Google prioritises these results and takes up most of the results page. This is especially useful if someone is nearby and looking for a local service. It is a great free service that everyone should take advantage of. Optimised correctly, this can be a very effective form of digital marketing.

If you want to sell products online, a hosted e-commerce platform is an alternative to your own website. Among the most notable platforms are Shopify, Etsy, Big Cartel, and Volusion. While most of these require a monthly subscription, others take a commission from each sale made through their platform. The benefits of hosted e-commerce include easing some of the associated responsibilities like data storage and security. You can also use it as a starting point when building an e-commerce site.

To conclude, there are a lot of factors to consider when building a website for your business. There is no doubt that having a website is the best option for many businesses. You should, however, consider the costs, content, and maintenance before going ahead. There are several cheaper alternatives you can consider, such as social media, a DIY website and a hosted e-commerce platform. Consider what your business aims to accomplish, what your competitors do, and how your customers want to interact with you. Alternatively, you can start small with a hosted solution and upgrade in the future.

At the Digital Coach we offer 1-2-1 consultancy to help business owners decide on marketing strategy and plan a new website. Please get in touch if we can help.