A website is often said to be the online representation of a company. But what exactly does that mean? For many small businesses, a website often ends up as an afterthought. Quite a few small companies are still deliberating whether to invest in developing a new, modern website. With the rise of easy-to-use platforms like Facebook and Etsy, you might think you can get by without having a dedicated website for your company. While this might work in some cases, it’s more likely to hold you back from achieving your business goals. So it might be a good idea to rethink the value that business websites bring to your operations.
Why You Need to Invest in Having Your Business Website
In this article, we’ll look at why investing in a custom design is important and how to improve the performance of your website.
Can You Run a Business Without a Website?
Technically, yes, you can run a business without a website. However, it is not advisable.
The main reason a business owner might wonder, “Do I need a website?” is because they lack the knowledge, time, or money to create one. If you’re unsure where to begin, don’t have the time, or lack the skills to develop a website that truly stands out, it can be challenging to find the motivation to establish your online presence.
While it’s possible to run a business without a website, you’ll be missing out on the many benefits that a professional website can bring to your brand. A website increases a brand’s credibility, visibility, and functionality. Chances are, other companies are providing a similar service or product as you. Having a branded website is one way to differentiate yourself from your competitors and establish yourself as a legitimate and credible business.
Your website can also increase your brand’s visibility. If you optimise your site for SEO (search engine optimisation), it can rank on Google and other search engines, driving organic traffic to your website, and increasing views, leads, and sales. Lastly, a website allows you to share information, sell products, and connect with your audience in various ways. So the straight-up answer to this question is: absolutely!
Importance of Custom Web Design for Businesses
Highlight Products and Services
Websites serve as a platform to showcase your products and services to potential customers. The product and services pages are where your business can show your expertise in the market. On the services pages, you can demonstrate how your business tackles common pain points for potential customers, while the product pages can show information about the product, such as ratings, FAQs, and features that consumers often use.
Premium websites can also include stunning images, high-quality videos, written descriptions, and positive testimonials. All of these elements highlight the business’s offerings and leave potential customers with no reason to look elsewhere.
This kind of web design not only draws in customers but also ensures that you attract the right ones. Aim to target specific audiences and only serve particular markets. Businesses can attract the right customers and grow their companies by effectively showcasing their products and services on their websites.
Improve Your Business’s Credibility
Choosing a pre-made WordPress template or using a DIY website builder to create your business’s website can be a convenient cost-saving measure. Most businesses are initially attracted to these options because they’re marketed as less expensive alternatives to hiring a web development agency. However, one of the major concerns with these DIY website builders is that they charge extra for advanced functionality, such as setting up an online shop or developing a system for collecting consumer payments.
A professionally-designed website, on the other hand, is made specifically for your business and its needs. It is also designed to work well on all browsers, devices, and operating systems. Having a well-established website allows you to make that all-important first impression and ultimately demonstrate the legitimacy and reliability of your business.
Effective web design emphasises your company’s strengths and unique offerings, encouraging visitors to explore further. If you want your business to look trustworthy, modern, and professional, it is important to invest in a visually appealing and responsive website.
Increase Traffic
It’s no secret that websites on the first page of search results generate the most traffic. Most web design services will tell you how great it is to be on the first page, but not many will actually put you there. Search engine optimisation (SEO) is a technique that makes the website more relevant and appealing to both the users and the search engines. Effective SEO, along with a well-structured website, gives businesses the opportunity to rank high on search engines to generate more traffic.
With a professional web design company, you should receive weekly and monthly analytical reports that will show the rate at which your traffic is increasing. This increase in traffic will generate more leads turning into clients. Exposure will no longer be a big deal for you.
Create a Memorable Brand Identity
A well-designed, responsive, high-quality website does wonders for establishing your brand’s identity and ensuring consistency. If your goal is to position your business as a leader in the market, your brand and website should leave a good impression. A custom web design can make your brand stand out and be remembered.
When a professional web design company designs your website, they pay close attention to every detail while keeping the bigger picture in mind. They create a consistent visual language for your brand that will be applied to all your marketing materials, such as your logo, business cards, and social media sites. This consistency helps create a more memorable impression that both current and potential customers are more likely to remember.
Find New Talent
Your website can be a great recruiting tool. Many new graduates and job seekers are looking for companies that they respect and would like to work for. If your company has open positions that are relevant to their field, they may be interested in applying. You can also make it easy for potential employees to apply for jobs by providing a way for them to upload their resume and cover letter directly to your website. This will save them time and effort, and it will also make it easier for you to review their applications.
You can also link your website to your company’s social media pages and job boards. It is a good sign when someone applies through your website. It means they were interested in your company and searched for you. They are also more likely to be passionate about your company and its mission.
Boost Your Revenue and ROI
One of the most compelling reasons for businesses to invest in web development is the potential for increasing revenue and achieving a positive return on investment (ROI). When clients can discover a business online and understand its mission, their curiosity may lead them to invest their money.
A website offers an efficient means to increase revenue for various reasons. Websites can serve as a source of information, address inquiries, reach more people, establish credibility, and deliver services around the clock. A well-optimised website not only attracts new users but also keeps returning visitors satisfied while effectively converting leads into sales. When all of these factors come together, your website becomes a powerful tool that helps your business grow revenue and achieve a positive ROI, all of which are critical for long-term business success.
How Much Should You Invest
A website is an investment, not an expense. It is a long-term investment that can pay off in many ways, such as increased sales, improved brand reputation, and better customer service.
If you want a quality website that effectively achieves your goals, you should be willing to allocate a reasonable budget. No matter how much you decide to invest in your new website, make sure have a clear plan and budget in mind.
The key is to research web design agencies and freelancers, exploring their services and prices to get a sense of what’s available and how much it will cost. There are some cost-effective options available, such as hiring a freelance web designer or partnering with an experienced website design agency in Sydney. Make sure you know the trends first (best practices for successful websites) and then talk to a web design professional. Also, take some time to check their previous work to gauge the quality they deliver. Once you’ve identified a few agencies or freelancers that seem promising, request quotes from each of them.
Do You Need Help?
Creativ Digital is a website design agency in Sydney specialising in helping businesses of all sizes create successful websites. We offer various design and development services, such as responsive and custom website design, eCommerce website development, digital marketing and search engine optimisation.
Contact us for free advice on online store, content creation, site functionality, product pages, online address, free domain and more. Our expert team is here to help you establish a strong online presence.
