While there really isn’t an exact way to tell because a new website is created every second, it’s estimated that there are over a billion websites on the world wide web (oooh, I haven’t typed that since the ’90s!).
That’s a whole heck of a lot of websites (and I’m not going to lie, it’s fascinating to me… what all is out there?).
Not to mention, that’s a really intimidating stat. After all, how will anyone ever actually see your website in this sea of websites? That’s another discussion entirely – and one you can read all about here. But that being said, you might still be wondering why you even need a website – let’s take a look at three reasons why.
1. A Website Helps Customers Find You!
When it comes to Google, it’s not just about having a listing – it’s all about SEO (Search Engine Optimization). You see, Google has a legion of little bots that go out and crawl every single accessible web page. These bots look for specific keywords and content, how often your content is updated, and more, and then rank your website based on that information. Now, that’s just a very basic explanation; it’s a little more complicated than that, but when your website is fully optimized, it will show up on the first page of search results rather than the 3rd or 5th.
2. A Website Projects Your Company As A Professional And Legitimate Business
Say you’re driving around a shopping center, looking for a specific store, but they don’t have a sign – you’re either not going to find that store, or if you happen to find what you are looking for, you might not feel comfortable using your credit card there … right?
It’s the same thing with a website – if you do pop-up in the listed search results on Google and you don’t have a website, the chances of a customer calling you are slim to none. Not only do they not know what you have to offer, but they’re probably not going to think your business is legitimate. You could have the best customer service and business practices in the world, but if you don’t have a website, people will think you’re trying to scam them.
3. A Website Makes It Easy For People To Do Business With You
Your business might only be open 8:00 – 5:00 Monday-Friday, but your website is available 24/7! So, when insomniacs like myself are window shopping late at night and looking to impulse buy, we’ll be able to order right then and there. Your customers won’t have to wait until the morning to call you to place an order.
An excellent example of how not having a website can be detrimental is Sears. In the early ’00s, like most large retailers at the time, Sears had the opportunity to spring ahead of the competition and establish an e-commerce site. They didn’t; they thought the internet was just a phase (whoops) … and they are no longer the household name they once were.
Ok, We’ve Convinced You (Hopefully), Now What?
A website will allow your customers to see what products and services you have to offer, it’s that simple. While there are a plethora of web hosting services out there, SAGE Websites are created especially for the promotional products industry. With SAGE’s website offerings, you get fully functional, e-commerce-enabled, customizable sites at tiers that will fit any budget. To find the perfect website solution for your business, take a look at our offerings here, or contact your Account Advisor today!
Editors Notes: This post was originally published in September 2014 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
