Why a Digital Presence and Website is Crucial for Every Business

Ever wondered why everyone invests massive resources and time to make sure they have an active digital presence? You may ask: “Is it really that important to create a website?” or “Can’t one just run a successful business without having to follow the tide that is the Internet?” Today, we seek to give you answers to these questions and hopefully put all your digital presence questions and concerns to rest once and for all.

According to the team at Premier SEO Ninjas Minneapolis, “A website and digital presence is essential in today’s business world to establish credibility, more accessibility, a wider reach, and it provides you with effortless marketing. All around it’s a no-brainer.” Even if you don’t necessarily conduct your business online, your target clients will be expecting you there.

To help you know just how important having a digital presence is, here is a list of seven benefits of establishing a credible online presence.

#1 Makes You Accessible

The number 1 reason why your business can’t afford to miss out online is that of accessibility. When clients are looking for a service provider, they often rely on the World Wide Web to give them information on the available businesses. Woe unto you if your name can’t be found anywhere. Every last one of your clients will pass you by and book an appointment down the street at your competitor’s shop.

#2 You Reach A Larger Audience

This ties to number 1 above. The Internet is a big magnet that has managed to draw over half of the world’s population. If you want to enlarge your customer base, you have to follow the honey pot, right? Leverage on your digital presence to promote your goods and services and hopefully, you will convert.

#3 Building a strong brand

Your brand is what sets you apart from the competition. Customers may come to you because they love the way you package your services, the excellent customer service you offer or the principles and beliefs you base your enterprise on. Creating a solid brand is a huge part of marketing and subsequently converting sales.

Small businesses can maximize the online space to strengthen their brands. An active Facebook account, for instance, gives you some authority and personality. Blogging opens an avenue for you to express what makes you tick. Your website is where your customers can explore and know what you are all about. All these are geared towards building a solid, trustworthy and credible brand for your business.

#4 Helps You Build Customer Relationships

When you have a website, social media accounts or a blog, you can let your past customers write down reviews of products they’ve bought from you. As a business owner, you know how easy it is to convert through this method. Even if the reviews aren’t positive, you can turn this into something good by reaching out to unsatisfied customers and asking them how you can resolve their issues.Additionally, you can use these platforms to answer the questions and concerns from customers and let everyone know you are a reputable brand.

#5 Makes Marketing Effortless

Imagine doing marketing back in the day. Knocking on people’s doors, carrying banners around town, showing up in events with promotional materials, etc. You had to break some sweat and shed blood before establishing an adequate customer base. Now, although people still use these strategies, the gears are slowly shifting to online marketing strategies. Even without sending sales associates to put pressure on target customers, you can let your website speak for you round the clock.

#6 A website acts as a virtual office

In today’s world, running a successful business doesn’t require a physical office. You can make your website your office where clients visit, make orders, lodge complaints, write reviews and get feedback to their questions and concerns. The beauty with a virtual office is that unlike the physical office, it is not limited to a geographic location; you can build your brand and sell your goods and services globally.

#7 Credibility

Let’s face it: when your presence can’t be felt online, your credibility is on the line. Clients tend to view offline businesses as less credible. People wonder what you are hiding by being stuck in the ancient ages. By having a website, you overcome the barriers of distance. People across the continent would be getting to know who you are and what you do even when you are asleep.

With all these benefits of an online presence, you can’t afford to be left behind. Take advantage of the Internet and spread your wings as a business owner. In the end, you won’t believe you almost let such a big opportunity pass you by.

Dorian Koci
 

Dr. Dorian Koçi is a historian, Director of National Historical Museum of Albania and lecturer in Tirana State University, Faculty of History and Philology and New York University of Tirana.