Do you really need a website? In the current world where we all live on the internet, the answer may seem obvious. Every business, regardless of its size or profession, should have a strong online presence. Your business’s website is more than a resource, it’s a vital digital asset that can influence the viewer’s perception and identity in the marketplace.
However, as your business grows, DIY efforts that served you initially, may prove insufficient. Given the critical role websites play in defining your brand, partnering with a professional is crucial to redesign or create a new website that aligns with your brand’s needs, values, and personality
The Importance of Having a Website
Before diving into why professional help is needed, let’s talk about why having a website is necessary for a business:
Visibility & Accessibility
Having a website makes your business accessible to possible customers 24/7. Unlike physical stores that have business hours, a website will always be available whenever you need it. A website allows people to easily find your company, learn about your services/products and contact you at their convenience.
Credibility & Trust
Chances are that there are several companies serving similar services and one way to have the upper hand is a well-crafted website. A well-designed website that communicates information clearly and has good testimonials will leave users with a good impression. It will also create trust, making your business genuine and that you can provide good services.
Marketing & Sales
A website is an incredible tool to market your business. It can increase traffic, generate leads and boost sales through strategies such as SEO, content and social media posts.
Ads on social media can only do so much as long as you keep them up and running. If they’re not seen the first time, then you have to pay to keep them up. However, a website will continue to gain ROI over time. This can be difficult the first time, but once you get the ball rolling, it becomes one of the most important tools for your business.
Engagement
There are 5.44 billion active internet users worldwide. In today’s digital age, not having a website makes you invisible to the public. Without a website, you are missing potential engagement and profits that are needed for a business to thrive. According to Public First, most people turn to the internet when looking for services. Whether you cater your business locally or worldwide, a website will help make your company gain traction.
- Drive over 298 million direct connections to Canadian businesses monthly
- 68% of businesses said online search is important for customers to find their business
- 72% said Google Maps is helpful when finding new businesses to try
- 64% of small businesses agreed that online search engines made it easier for local customers to find their businesses
Now that you understand why websites are a necessity for businesses, it’s best to build one ASAP. But as your business expands, the website will need to align with your current brand identity and be able to handle new traffic. Let’s explore how that can be improved with help from a professional.
What are the Benefits from Working with a Pro?
To achieve the full potential of your website, working with a professional web developer is needed. Some benefits of working with a pro is:
Specialized Design and Functions
A professional web developer can take your website to the next level with its design and functionality. By using your business’s mission, vision and values, we can represent it with custom design elements, colours, imagery and functionalities. By adding designs that are special to your brand, it can make your website stand out from the competition and create a unique experience for you and your customers.
SEO Optimization
SEO is a critical element to your website’s success. Professionals have the skills to apply advanced SEO tactics, including keyword search, content, off-page and local SEO, visibility and web traffic. This helps your website to be ranked higher when searched online, creating more traffic and earning potential customers to your site.
Strong Security
Having strong security is needed for any website and is a top priority for many. Professional web designers have network security protocols and can utilize them to protect your site from hackers, malware and other threats. This can include new updates, secure coding, security plugins and firewalls.
Scalability and Flexibility
As your site’s traffic increases, it may overload the server and slow the website down. To prevent this, a professional can build scalable websites that can accommodate the traffic without compromising performance. They can also provide website maintenance and support, making sure your website is up-to-date and working.
Time Efficient
Creating, updating and maintaining a website can be tough work for one person to do. By working with a web designer, you can leave all the technical work with them so you can put all your focus on your business. Not only does this save time, but also guarantees that your website will be maintained to the highest degree.
To summarize, your website plays a critical role that defines your brand and success. Not only will it help consumers find out about your brand, but elevates it from other competitors in the business. A DIY website can be great when you’re just starting out, but as it evolves, so will your brand and website. Therefore, investing in a professional web designer can supply the expertise and support needed and contribute to its long-term success.
To find out how Sunrise Creative can help you redesign or create your new website book a complimentary discovery call.