If you are ready to take your business to the next level in 2023, this article is for you. Gone are the days when a website was just nice to have. Creating a small business website is a must-have for growth and reaching new audiences in today's digital world. In this article, we dive into the importance of having business websites and how to build them effectively. We have also provided examples of business websites you can use as inspiration for yours.
Have a good read.
Why Business Websites are the Real Deal
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- Online Presence
Creating a business website allows your business to have an online presence, making it easier for customers to find and learn about your products or services. You need this because more and more people are using the internet to research and make purchasing decisions. Without a website, potential customers may be unable to find your business or learn about what you offer.
- Increased Credibility
If you want to look like you know what you are doing as a business, create a business website, ensure it is top-notch, and put in the face of your potential customers. A professional website can increase the credibility of your business in the eyes of potential customers. A well-designed website demonstrates that your business is legitimate and trustworthy, while a poorly designed website can make your business appear unprofessional.
- Cost-effective Marketing
Business websites can be a cost-effective way to market your business and reach a larger audience. Creating a business website allows you to promote your products or services online, and it can be less expensive than traditional forms of marketing such as print or television advertising.
- 24/7 Availability
Business websites can be accessed anytime, allowing customers to learn about your business and make purchases even when your physical location is closed. This is particularly useful for businesses that operate on a 24/7 basis, such as eCommerce websites.
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- Lead Generation
Business websites can help you generate leads for your business by providing a form or contact page for customers to reach out to you. Lead generation identifies and cultivates potential customers for a business's products or services. Business websites can be effective tools for lead generation because they allow potential customers to learn about the business and its offerings. They provide a way for them to contact the business or request more information. Most business websites have contact forms, email subscriptions, or calls to action to help you achieve this.
- Improved Customer Service
Business websites can also improve customer service by giving customers easy access to information about the business and its products or services. Customers interact better with your business when you include things like product or service descriptions, pricing information, and frequently asked questions. Having this information readily available on a website can save customers time and effort and make it easier for them to find the information they need. Also, when you build a business website, you provide customers with multiple ways to contact your business, such as through email, phone, or a contact form. That way, it is easier for customers to get in touch with your business when they have questions or concerns.
Some businesses use chatbots and AI-powered tools to have 24/7 customer service. At Strikingly, we offer a Live Chat feature that lets your customers contact your business’s customer service, giving them a personalized experience. As a result, customers form a stronger bond with your business and can eventually become loyal customers.
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- Analytical Insights
Business websites also provide valuable analytical insights that can help your business to understand your customers better and improve your marketing and sales strategies. You can achieve this by using website analytics tools like Google Analytics. It can provide detailed information about website visitors, including their demographics, location, and how they interact with the website.
With this information, you can identify patterns and trends, such as which pages on the website are most popular or which marketing campaigns are most effective. Also, your business can track the performance of your website and make necessary adjustments to improve user experience and increase conversion rates. Also, you can use this data to make informed decisions about product development, pricing, and marketing campaigns.
- Branding
Business websites can also be crucial in establishing and promoting your company's brand. A well-designed website can help your business establish a professional image and create a look and feel consistent with the company's overall brand identity. This is especially useful for small businesses. A small business website can also be used to convey your company's mission, values, and unique selling points. With this information, your customers will more easily differentiate your business from your competitors.
Additionally, you can use your small business website to showcase your company's products or services and give customers a sense of the company's personality and culture. As a result, you will build customer trust and loyalty and make the company more memorable. Your business website can also be a platform to distribute brand-related content, such as blog posts (like the one you are reading), videos, and social media updates. These can help to establish the company as a thought leader in its industry and increase brand awareness.
- Competitive Advantage
Business Websites can give your business a competitive advantage. A competitive advantage over competitors refers to a unique advantage that your business has over its rivals, which allows you to be more successful in the market. A responsive and engaging business website like we offer at Strikingly can make you look more appealing to your customers than your competitors. You can use your website to showcase your business's other Unique Selling Points (USPs).
- Global Reach
Having a business website allows your company to have a global reach, meaning it can attract customers worldwide. With this, you can greatly expand the potential customer base and increase revenue. Additionally, a business website makes it easier for customers to find and learn about the company and its product and make purchases or inquiries anytime, anywhere in the world.
- Social Media Integration
Business websites can integrate with social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to help you reach a wider audience and engage with your customers. All Strikingly websites come with social media integration options that make it easier to interact with your customers. When your customers visit your website, they can click on any social media icons, which leads them directly to your social media account.
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- Search Engine Optimization
SEO is another important reason to build a business website. Business websites can be optimized for search engines like Google or Bing to increase visibility and drive more traffic to your site. This can help your business to be found by potential customers looking for products or services like yours.
- Email Marketing
Having a business website allows for easily collecting email addresses from potential and current customers. Thus, you provide a direct line of communication to the customer, opening up a more effective way to promote sales, new products, and special offers. Additionally, email marketing can be a cost-effective way to reach a large number of people and can be easily tracked for success.
- Flexibility
When you have a website for business, you can update and change it easily and quickly to reflect new products, services, promotions, and other important information. That way, your business is more responsive to market and customer needs changes. Also, it allows you to adapt your business growth to your website. When your customers see you making major improvements, they will trust you more, as they know you are working to give them better services.
7 Business Websites You Can Borrow a Leaf From
1. Shopify.com
Shopify is built like an ultra-modern, customer-centric grocery store. It has a smart-looking layout that effectively communicates the benefits of the eCommerce platform. Their short yet comprehensive content style and eye-catching graphics are designed to grab and hold the attention of potential customers. They make it easy for customers to stay on the website, learn about the platform, and build their own online store.
2. Zendesk.com
The website has a smart and modern layout that effectively communicates the benefits of the customer service platform. Clear call-to-action buttons and a well-organized layout make it easy for users to learn about the platform and use it to improve their customer support.
3. Apple.com
The layout of the Apple website is easy on the eyes and minimalistic, allowing the products to be the main focus. Navigation is simple and intuitive, making it easy for users to find what they want.
4. Airbnb.com
The website has a clear layout that makes it easy to find and book a place to stay. High-quality images and a clean design make browsing listings an enjoyable experience.
5. Dropbox.com
Dropbox has a simple and modern layout. It uses a lot of whitespaces and a clear call-to-action to make it easy for users to sign up. They also use a combination of simple images and their brand color (blue) to create a strong brand impression on their users.
6. Uber.com
Uber’s website has a neat and minimalistic layout. With simple and straightforward content, it effectively communicates the benefits of the service. They use strong, eye-catching visuals and clear calls to action to make it easy for users to book a ride and contact them through social media.
7. Strikingly.com
The Strikingly website is a clean, modern, and well-designed website that effectively showcases the company's services and features. The home page prominently displays the company's value proposition and provides clear calls to action for users to create their website or to learn more about the platform's features.
The website also includes a navigation menu that allows users to easily access information about the company's pricing plans, features, and customer support. Additionally, it provides customer testimonials and resources such as a blog and a knowledge base, which can help users get the most out of the platform. The website is fully responsive and looks great on all devices and screen sizes.
How to Build a Business Website With Strikingly
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Follow these simple steps to create a business website with Strikingly.
1. Go to Strikingly.com and sign up for an account.
2. Choose a template that best fits your business's needs and style.
3. Customize the template by adding your own text, images, and videos. You can add and edit pages, sections, and elements as needed.
4. Set up your contact and social media information, and connect your domain if you have one.
5. Preview your website and make final adjustments before publishing it live.
6. Promote your website on your social media channels and through other marketing efforts to attract visitors.
To sum up, business websites are essential for business growth in 2023. You are limiting your reach and missing out on potential customers by not having a website. Take the first step towards business success and create a business website with Strikingly today.
