If you want to show the world that you take your business seriously, then it is time to invest in a professional website. In an age when more than 50% of smartphone users discover a new company or product while searching on their smartphones, not having a website can damage your credibility. According to a study, 75% of online users accepted to judge a company’s credibility based on its website’s design. In the end, people are likely to engage with a company they can trust, and the website is the stepping stone towards building that relationship.

This might sound awkward, but it makes a great deal of sense. You are not in the business alone. Thousands of businesses now offer the same goods and services as you are offering, and most of them will have their own websites. If I look at all the points already addressed in this article, they’re already in a positive spot. They seem to be more trustworthy on the market, have established their initial trust with the public, showcase their products/ services as well as gain from Google searches.

A website is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can provide both regular and prospective customers the convenience of reviewing your products and services when your store or office is closed. Not only that, with so many interactive features and add-ons available, visitors to your website can contact you, sign up for your services, schedule appointments and even contact directly through your website even when when you’re away from your desk or after closing.

A website is a great place to make your contact information easily available to potential customers. You can even publish your contact information in a header or footer so it appears on every single page.

Whether you’re trading emails, taking calls, or sending out proposals – communicating with potential customers takes time. Your website can save you that time by providing answers to common customer questions and inquiries. What does this mean for you? You can spend your time doing more valuable things.

A website acts as a platform for your messaging and shapes the online perception of your business in a way that your social media channels cannot provide. The platform allows you to position yourself in the market to get the exact type of customers you’re looking for. Many business owners have been reviewed online, sometimes unknowingly and/or negatively. How does this affect you? 79% of users who read online reviews, believe them. Combat that negativity by posting your own positive testimonials.

Website building is no longer exclusive to individuals with degrees in coding. You don’t need to know the full ins-and-outs of HTML to launch a website. It’s never been easier for people to learn how to code and offer affordable website design services. There are many small business web designers that can design and host your site for you.

Unlike your business, which most likely does not operate or communicate with customers after-hours, your website stays open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. This means that even when your staff is not available to interact with people looking to do business with you, your website is accessible and able to provide helpful information, serve as a point of contact or even allow customers to make purchases or submit orders.

If you’re hoping to expand your business and bring in new customers, having a website is an important strategy. Small businesses who’ve experimented with launching a website report being happy with their success. Surveys on small business’ websites show that 81 percent of companies that launched sites saw their business grow, and 97 percent of small business owners would recommend having a website to other small business owners.