Does my business need a well-designed website?

Think about the last time you made a purchase or booked a service. First, you probably went online to research and look at reviews, then narrowed your decision to two or three companies. When you were making your final decision, one company didn’t have a website, the other had a DIY website, and the third company had a professional, well-designed website…which company did you choose? You choose the company with a well-designed website because you believe they will provide a higher quality service or product. Right?! This is no different for YOUR potential clients. Think about it, what impression does your website, or lack-thereof, say about your company?

website-first-impression — You have one chance for a 1st impression, leave it to a professional.

According to Forbes, your website's design has a huge impact on how customers perceive your brand and offerings. If it's poorly designed, it can turn away 88% of potential customers before you have a chance to talk with them.

So, what can provide you with the fastest and most significant return on investment, that will boost your company’s sales, and grow your business? The answer is simple: a professional website. Here's why:

#1: Builds Instant Credibility and Trust

75% of consumers admit to making judgments on a company’s credibility based on the company’s website design. You are probably thinking to yourself, it’s fine, I have social media—but what do your competitors have? To stay competitive, check if your competitors have a website because 71% of businesses do. If you don’t have a website but your competitors do, it may give the impression that your business lacks professionalism and commitment. 84% of consumers believe a business’s website is more credible than its social media page, which brings me to my next point…

#2: First Impressions

If your website looks unprofessional, potential clients may think you're trying to cut corners to save money, and might assume you do the same with your products and services. A professional website tells potential clients that your company is reliable and committed to staying in business, rather than being a hobby or experiment.

If you are a law firm, therapist, dentist, accountant, agent, groomer, service provider, etc, and don’t have a professional-looking website, your potential clients will find a competitor with a website that makes them feel more comfortable and confident. C’monnn, you’ve felt that way too, right?! Think about the last time you were searching for a service and were comparing…a website is one of the first things you look for to gauge a company’s level of professionalism and quality.

When a potential client visits your website, you have less than a minute to make an impression on them before they decide to stay or leave your site (AND recommend that site to friends). THAT is why you fight the urge to DIY your website and trust a professional. Small businesses that use their websites to connect with customers experience an average revenue growth of 15-50%. That is a HUGE ROI. Still not convinced?

#3: 24/7 Billboard for your company

87% of shoppers conduct online research regularly, if not always, before buying. Imagine if you could display your company highlights as you interact with people throughout your day—like a walking billboard above your head! Since technology isn’t there yet, guess what the next best thing is: a website! You can use a website to display your work to potential clients at any time, AND the website will appear in some of the eight-billion daily search engine requests. This is music to every over-worked-business-owner's ears. YOU don’t have to be “on” 24/7. If you have past projects, show them; if you have products, highlight them. It is crucial to grab a visitor's attention within a minute of them landing on your website. A professional website can effectively captivate them and direct them to what you want them to do (book appointment, sign up, fill out a form, etc).

#4: Reviews and Local Searches

Google Reviews & Local Maps: a staggering 77% of shoppers actively search for websites with ratings and reviews. Guess what?! I can add Google reviews to your website and customize them to match your website/company colors. 97% of people learn about a local business online. Create a professional website that incorporates Google Reviews, Maps, and will show up in search results appealing to local shoppers.

#5: Free up your day with FAQs, Forms, and Online Scheduling

According to a report by Forrester Research, a well-designed FAQ section can result in a 25-30% reduction in customer support inquiries.

Most businesses know the 80/20 rule. 80% of your day is spent answering the same 20% of tasks. Why not let your website take that burden off your already weighed-down small business shoulders? For business owners, every minute is important. Having a website with Forms and FAQs helps relieve some of the tedious admin tasks or repeating the same phrases 80% of your day! It will also help better organize leads, subscribers, job applicants, orders, appointments, etc. According to GetApp, offering online scheduling not only provides flexibility to your customers, but it can increase staff productivity by 30%!

Win.Win.Win.

**Think about the last big purchase you made. What did you do before the purchase?**

**Search online, look for reviews, check a company’s social media, and then look at a company’s website to better understand their professionalism and credibility.**

A well-designed website impresses potential clients, builds trust, appears in search results, and acts as a virtual salesperson showcasing products, services, and reviews 24/7. It also helps streamline tasks, reduce administrative work, and stay better organized through forms and FAQs.

What is a successful website? That depends on what success looks like for your company. A successful website drives client behaviors that lead to success for your business—like visitor signups, form submissions, appointments, orders, new leads, etc. In order to have a successful website, you first have to capture a potential client’s attention so they will engage in your website.