If your business can’t be Googled, then, for most people, it doesn’t exist.
You may be able to create leads via word-of-mouth, social media, or through speaking engagements. But if you don’t have a website or if your site cannot be found online, then you’re missing out on a tremendous amount of business.
You see, the vast majority of people begin their search for a product or service online.
In one study, they found that 81% of shoppers search online before they make a purchase decision. In a different survey conducted by PowerReviews, they found that 38% of shoppers start their product searches with Amazon, whereas 35% begin with Google. What is more, the average number of sources people consult before making a purchase decision averages 10.4.
So let’s face it: People search before they shop.
Adapting to this change in consumer behavior is vital to the long-term well-being of your business. In other words, you need to help customers find you online.
In connecting with your target market, there are many tactics you can pursue. But before you do anything, the first step you need to take is to build a solid foundation with your website.
Now, I know this will sound like a no-brainer for many of our readers, but many small business owners do not have a website. According to a report by Clutch in 2016, they discovered that half of the small businesses they surveyed did not have a site.
From their research, there were several reasons provided why these small business owners did not have a site, such as costs and lack of technical abilities. However, the number one reason listed for not having a site was relevancy. Basically, many small business owners do not believe a website is relevant to their business or customer.
In this post, I want to counter this belief and share five reasons why a website is essential for your business—regardless of your industry.