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Some business owners might take exception to the title of this post. They might say “Raymond, I’ve been in business here in Springfield, Missouri for over 20 years. I have done just fine all of these years without a website and I see no need to waste my time and money on one now.”

Okay, I see your point. But here’s my response.

There’s always room for improvement

Even the most successful businesses can improve. Your business could attract new customers, better communicate with existing customers, and offer new services that can only be provided on the web.

The Internet offers so many opportunities to improve what you offer to potential and current customers.  You can provide information on your website about products and services available, prices, and basic information like hours of operation and what credit cards you accept. Providing this information not only helps your customers, it can save you and your employees a lot of time that would otherwise be spent taking phone calls and answering questions.

But that’s just the beginning of the possibilities offered by a website. How about taking your business worldwide by offering products for sale on the Internet? Maybe you’re a bit of a writer and would like to blog on a topic related to your business? If the content is of interest to others, they will read and recommend to others. You’ll have an entirely new audience who may just be your next customers.

A website gives you more control of your web presence

If you’ve been in business for any time at all, there’s likely something about your business already on the web. But who created this content? And what are they saying? You often have no control over this and you definitely have no control if you’re not making an effort to craft your business image on the net.

If you create a website using a good domain name (and you have a competent web designer) your website will most likely be ranked number one in Google for your business name. So when someone types in your business name, the first thing they see is your website with your message.

The Internet is the phonebook of the 21st Century (but better)

I don’t think I’ve used a phonebook in at least five years. As a thirty-something, I’ll tell you that most folks my age and younger use the web for almost all of their information needs. Google is a much faster and more efficient tool than the antiquated yellow pages. If you want to attract younger customers, a website is a necessity.  And older folks are taking to the web in great numbers. As already mentioned, you want to control the message that all of these people are going to find when they Google your business.

A website is a good investment in tough economic times

You might think that it’s a horrible time to spend money when the economic climate is so uncertain and maybe a bit scary to some. But this is the time to take advantage of opportunities. Many web designers are lowering their prices to entice customers right now. Those prices are certain to go back up as soon as the economy turns around.

There’s also no better time to get a leg up on your competition. There’s a lot of competition out there to get a piece of the shrinking pie of consumer spending. It makes sense to do whatever possible to maintain or increase your share.

It’s the most affordable advertising around

Have you checked the prices of newspaper ads, tv ads, or billboards lately? It’s not cheap. And many, such as newspaper ads, are one-time ads that will soon end up in the city dump. But a website is there for the long haul and it is still the best bargain for your advertising dollar.

Digital Stax has website design packages that start at $250.  Really, the only other costs involved are web hosting and domain name registration. Hosting is only $9.95 a month and your domain name will only cost $14 a year. It’s a bargain that can’t be matched by other advertising mediums.

A website adds to your business’ credibility

Mr. or Mrs. Established Springfield, Missouri Business Owner might have something to say about this statement as well. They might say “Raymond (if that is your real name), I’ve been in business here in Springfield, Missouri for over 20 years and everybody knows that we are credible and are the best in the business.”

Well, what about people new to the area? Or people like me that live in a proverbial cave? If you’re an established and credible business in the community they would expect you to have a website. Because every business should have a website, right? It’s just a reality of modern times. People expect any credible business to have a website.

There’s much more that could be said about the value of having a website for your business. But, I think these are the most important reasons why every business needs a website. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.