Be in it to win it
You may be losing business you never even knew you could have. Thousands of people in your own back yard are searching online for products and services like yours every day. But if they can't find you, you won't get their business.
Ask yourself, who is my competition? Are they on the web? If they have a website and you don't . . . you lose.
As the saying goes . . . “You have to be in it to win it.”
Be open for business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
While it’s realistic to take phone calls during normal business hours and sometimes beyond them, it’s important to be able to communicate with a prospect when you can’t take their call. That’s one of the greatest benefits of having a website. Anyone can see samples of your work and learn more about your services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With a simple feedback page, a new lead can come to you at any time. It’s a good feeling to check your email in the morning and find someone wants to do business with you.
Let prospects learn about you in the comfort of their own home or office
It’s common for prospects to want to gather information anonymously. A one on one conversation sometimes makes people feel “obligated to buy”. A website is an excellent opportunity to increase your prospect’s trust and comfort level without a sense of obligation, before you engage them in conversation.
Professionalism and Credibility
Upon meeting a potential client, the fact that you have a business card is a given. Without it, you look unprofessional.
These days, there is an increasing expectation that you also have a website. Buyers like to know there is a place they can go to get more information, see samples, or ask questions whenever they like. A good website increases other's perception of you as both a professional and credible business.
Unbeatable Advertising Value
Business cards cost about 10 cents each. Color brochures range from 39 cents to a dollar (not including design costs). Factor in postage and a direct mail campaign can easily run you hundreds of dollars. With response rates as low as 1% – 3% they are often not cost effective.
On the other hand, building a website carries a one time cost of a few hundred dollars and a small quarterly fee for hosting. Updates can be made for a nominal fee and special offers or new pages can be added for far less than the cost of printing. Advertisements in local newspapers, trade magazines, and direct mail can be pretty expensive. Once you’re online, you can use smaller advertisements/mailers and offer more details on your site. A website is the most cost effective way to educate consumers about what you offer and to generate new leads.
Expand Beyond Your Local Market
You may have products or services that could easily be sold to anyone, anywhere. The web is the best way to reach prospects beyond your immediate service and sales area.
Extend your reach nationally or even globally and watch your business grow more than it ever could locally.
|
