In this day and age it
seems impossible that anyone would have a business without a website.
Yet, there are some businesses that do not have a website to represent their
business online. Why is a website so important to any business these days?
I believe a website is important to a company’s image and as a source of
outreach to their clientele. I know I look first for a website when I
have an interest in a company. I often judge them on their online
presence.
According to an article Nicole Leinbach-Reyhle wrote, people will search
Google, Yelp or Facebook before they will visit you in person (Leinbach-Reyhle,
2014). This is significant. I know if someone tells me about a
company, I check first to see if they have a website. A website gives me
information about what the company has to offer. If I’m interested in
purchasing from the company, then I will check out reviews about the
company. I live in the Atlanta, Georgia area and there are lots of
restaurants. Before I visit a restaurant, I will look at their website
and read reviews about it. There have been occasions when I have not
eaten at a restaurant because I could not find them online.
A website gives a company a way to market their product. An article
written on GoDaddy states that a website will be an anchor for marketing, a way
to sell online, help connect with new customers, as well as they are affordable
(Perilli, 2015). I know that I do not want to launch my business until I
have created a viable website that shows I’m serious about my product and my
company. “Whether you are a one man or woman show or operate with 100
employees, your website should appear as if you have a team dedicated
exclusively to keeping your online presence strong and noteworthy
(Leinbach-Reyhle, 2014)”. This statement shows that a website will give
you credibility in the fast-paced world of today’s businesses.
I use a company’s website to learn about the company – their vision, their
backstory, their passion. I also look at their products/services to
determine if they are what I am looking for. I am also interested in how
they interact with their clients – whether it is through tutorials, customer
service, or blog posts. If they are interacting with their client base, I
feel more confident in doing business with them. It is as Ms.
Leinbach-Reyhle stated, “Window shopping isn’t what it use to be
(Leinbach-Reyhle, 2014).” I window shop by visiting online first.
“An effective website is the cornerstone of your company – it houses important
information, and your customers expect you to have one (Perilli, 2015).”
This is a true. If one is serious about being in business these days, one
must have a functioning, informative website. One that will market to
their clientele. Thus, not every website will be the same as each target
market is different. A company’s website today is as important today as a
business having a well laid out showroom in the past.
References
Leinbach-Reyhle, Nicole (2014
September 24) 3 Reasons Websites Are Vital for
Small Businesses,www.forbes.com
Perilli, Raubi Marie (2015
October 2) 7 Reasons You Need a Small Business
Website, www.godaddy.com
NOTE: This post is for my SMM140 class, thus it is written in APA. I like it. I think it gives credibility to my writing.
