I had the task of going online yesterday and looking for business websites and their social networks for a project I was doing at work. As a Marketing Coordinator, I want to connect with other businesses and network. I got so annoyed on Google searching for business websites just to find Yelp reviews, listings on urbanspoon and city search etc. However some of these businesses had Facebook pages. Facebook is NOT a website for your business. If you have a Facebook Fan Page it should be used as a tool to bring people back to your fully hosted website, even if it’s just an informational landing page until you create a full website of what you really want. If you’re a business owner having a web presence now of days is essential. I also think that Twitter & Facebook go hand in hand. If you have one you should have the other among other social networking platforms. I always look for both when it comes to businesses and as a consumer I’ll “Like” and “follow” the Facebook & Twitter accounts. I saw this with salons, restaurants, retail stores just to name a few.
I turned to the internet to give me the information I was looking for, I’m sure other people have done so as well. One of the first things any business owner should do is invest in a website. The benefits of having a website are first and foremost building your brand and marketing yourself. It’s the World Wide Web, people in every time zone can access your information at their leisure. Your website is basically your online resume of what you can offer a potential client. You are showcasing your product or service. I’m sure marketing materials and advertising can rack up in cost and there may be times when you run out of materials and have to reorder or make edits and changes. You’re website can push information out instantly and you can edit information as necessary without waiting on anyone to do it at any additional cost. To take it a step further once you make your changes post it to Google Plus, your Facebook wall and Tweet it out so that your social networks will know and share the information. It then goes viral and you are bringing traffic back to your website.
More importantly you need a way for your existing clients and potential clients to have access to you, whether it is a contact page on your website allowing people to email you or a phone number allowing people to call you. Having a website also allows you to build lists by offering a newsletter and enlisting subscriptions to keep your clients informed. If you are going to go the DIY (Do It Yourself) route there are tons of turnkey website companies out there that are user friendly. As a graphic designer the only thing I don’t like about turnkey websites is that they all have a similar look and you want to stand out from everyone else. I’d invest in a graphic designer to execute the custom look you are wanting and a website that will set you apart and stand out from other businesses. You will show your clients that you really took time and invested money into your brand. That says a lot about you and they will have confidence in doing business with you. Your website is a HUGE part of your brand, so if you own a business and you don’t have a website consider getting one created a top priority.
Good article. I can totally relate to finding a business on yelp and they have NO website address listed. Shocks me!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
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Great article Jen… Thank you for sharing this! 🙂
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I find it amazing that any business isn’t connected to social media and have a website. It truly is how people find my massage practice. Great article!
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It’s hilarious because I really just left my hair salon and asked the owner why he doesn’t have a website. He said “We do great with word of mouth, I’ve been doing this 40 years.”
While it’s true… and he’s damn good… it still doesn’t register with businesses that websites are important. Amazing, isn’t it?
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So true. Not having a website this day in age is ridiculous!
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In this day and age, it is amazing to find businesses–especially business that involve the web–that don’t have a website. Kind of makes you wonder. I suppose I can understand the corner market not having one (though it wouldn’t hurt), but certainly the local dance school and hair salon and insurance agents, etc., all need to have a presence on the web to improve client communication.
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Great ariticle! Thanks for the tips!
Totally agree. It’s rare, but when I do come across a business that doesn’t have a website, that is RARE!! Having that internet presence, whether they create it themselves or hire somebody else to do it for them is so vital for the well being of the business. To ignore this concept can definitely lead to missed opportunities.
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Great article Jen, it is all about connecting with your clients! Excellent 🙂
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Thanks for the post Jen. Website presence is importance. I also believe social media presence is exceptionally important. They each have their own roles & business owners need to consider how to integrate all of them to make it work best for their scenarios.
Great advice in here…a business needs a website! Thanks for sharing!
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Without question an online presence is necessary these days! Great perspective here.
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It astounds me that business owners still don’t own websites! That’s like operating your business without a computer. I thought you should have also mentioned how easy it is to put up a website these days with WordPress and what used to cost thousands of dollars can now cost as little as $500 – less if you do it yourself.
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Wonderful article. It is so important and vital for every business to have a website. Thank you, Jen!
Agreed! Thanks for the great post 🙂
Fantastic article.
I receive pitches and people still have Myspace URLs listed.
I hate when I ask to see his/her website and I get the “Well, we just started” excuse. I think people are still hung up on the idea that building a website is expensive. You are so right !! I will be sharing this article on Facebook and Twitter.
Great article! I run a small web design business myself and If I had a DIME for every customer or potential customer I’ve had that said they are all set and that they get most of their business off their facebook page! SMH!
I know a lot of people who won’t do business with a company unless they have a website! It’s your professional presence that matters. That’s what people are looking for.