For better or for worse, nowadays we live in a digital world. Devices such as smartphones and computers are integrated in almost everything we do due to the benefits they provide; be it communication, data analysis, marketing, entertainment, and more.
This is an article dedicated to small and medium business owners who are unsure of whether or not they can gain anything from having a dedicated website about their business. We will go over some of the potential advantages, costs, etc; and hopefully by the end of it you will be able to make a more educated decision on what you want for the future of your business.
Get listed on Search Engines
It’s no surprise companies like Google are some of the biggest in the world. This search giant has mostly made its money from paid advertising and other platforms (YouTube). This basically means that the higher you can rank on Google, the more exposure your business will get both locally and online.
However, in order to get listed on Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc; you have to create a business profile and ensure that your website complies with their guidelines. Following those policies increases your chances that Google will give you a higher preference when ranking your business online. This is a major win because you will have access to millions of users every year who can become potential customers.
In this article I will provide you with a few pro tips to build a successful website. But if you are looking for direct help from a professional, then please do check out our web design agency in London, Ontario which provides Digital Marketing, Web Design, SEO, Advertising, Brand Consulting services online.
Profits. How much do they increase?
On average, most good websites can increase sales by a margin of 15% to 50% and more. That is a staggering difference that could represent your business breaking into those 6 or 7 figures you’ve been aiming for.
But make no mistake, those websites are all finely tuned in order to maximize profits. Each text, headline, image, etc; have been carefully placed where they are in order to keep the reader engaged, and convert them from a viewer into a consumer. The idea here isn’t to just score a sale, but to create an identity for your business.
This is achieved by tracking the data in your website (one such tool recommended is Google Analytics), running tests in your website in order to determine what works and what doesn’t, and understanding your target audience so that you can create targeted promotions for that demographic.
But what if my business isn’t an online business? Can I still do it?
The answer is yes! Absolutely. Even if the business you operate is, say, a barber shop or a local grocery; you can still make use of online platforms and social media to help customers find you.
A website isn’t only for those who provide online services, but rather a way for people to learn what your business is all about. It gives readers a chance to check out your business without having to travel to the location. This gives you an unique opportunity to sell by positioning yourself as an expert on the topic.
A good idea is to check competitors in your area, do they have a website? If not, this is an opportunity you can take advantage of. And if they do, then you know your competition is ahead in the game. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to do some research on it and determine the value.
What is the cost?
Most of the cost of a website tends to come up front, meaning on the building part. The range can vary from $300 – $500 for simplest websites, to around $3000 – $10000 for medium and even more for high end. The good news however is that after the initial cost, it becomes much cheaper to maintain it (assuming you’ve hired a competent agency to create it for you, otherwise I can’t vouch for cheap freelancers so you best do your research well).
On average, most simple websites should cost around $50 to $100 a month to maintain. But it depends on the website. Some may have a lot of forms, plugins, custom components (think YouTube and how complicated it is to create such a large scale website), and not to mention the cost of the servers to keep such a high scale website running.
Our recommendation is that you speak with a professional agency in order to determine what kind of website best suits your needs. This can help you save money upfront which you could better invest elsewhere in your business.
Social Networks and Advertising
After you went through all the hassle of creating a website, there is one last thing you need to do in order to start making profits; marketing.
Even if you have an amazing website, it is pointless if nobody knows about it. Social Media is a great way to promote your content, and stay connected with your consumers. Over 59% of consumers worldwide use social media today. It is an absolute must to take advantage of it and connect with your audience online.
I will be honest; this is probably the most time consuming part of building a successful website. And probably where most of your money will go. Businesses will spend hundreds of thousands in advertising each year, but the tradeoff is being able to generate millions of dollars in revenue.
Before you jump into it however, please consult with a professional on how to optimize your social media, advertising, and digital marketing channels first. This part can get expensive VERY fast and you want to save every penny you can in order to create more marketing campaigns to generate more profits.
Thanks for reading. If you are looking to create a website and boost sales, I will write my business information below and you are most welcome to contact us for support.
Elerea – Web Design & Digital Marketing
Website: https://www.elerea.com/
Contact: https://www.elerea.com/contact-us
Toronto Page: https://www.elerea.com/locations/toronto
Eduardo Lemos
