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lil bellflowerEntrepreneurs Need Websites

If you are in business for yourself, you need a website.  Long gone are the days where you could operate merely by networking and passing out cards.  The first thing potential clients do to determine if they want to work with you is "Google" you and/or your business.  "Googling" is a verb.  People use the term like Kleenex, Xerox and Vaseline.  As soon as you meet someone new, they are off to Google you!  If you do not have a web presence, forget about it.  If your website doesn't show up in the search engine results, it could potentially be a strike against you.  

 

"But Word of Mouth Works for Me..."

This is not to say that WOM (word of mouth) and social media are not effective.  Both Social Media and WOM are part of the keyInsights' Organic Marketing strategy.  

 

Here is an example of a scenario where word of mouth isn't enough to help you get potential new business:

   

Let's say you own a cake making business. You complete a cake order for a two-year old's birthday party. A guest at the party is there with her children (ages two and four).  

She loves your cake and wants to order the same flavor, (your trademark organic banana peanut butter surprise) for her two-year old's party next month.  Her children don't usually like cake but they both loved yours.

The parents are much too busy chasing toddlers around the party to fully exchange your information and she only gets a mention of your name.  

She thinks to herself, "It's okay, I'll just Google it."

It's hard to perceive kids not liking cake.  

And, this may be an oversimplified way of explaining the point.  Just stick with the example for a bit longer.  If you don't have a website, you not only missed out on the two-year old's upcoming party, you may have missed out on her four year old's party as well.  What about other referrals from the party?  Shall we even mention the possible bragging to co-workers about how healthy, delicious and different your organic cakes are, thus missing out on even more potential referrals.  

 

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"Isn't Social Media Enough?"

Some people believe that having a Facebook Page, Tumblr or Pinterest is enough.  You could argue that it gives you a web presence.  There are many companies that use this tactic successfully.  But remember, these social sites are not your dedicated real estate on the web. If you are a small company or sole proprietor social media can be a time consuming challenge, especially without a website.  The odds of someone conducting an internet search for you, finding a result from Facebook and getting distracted are high.  Social sites are a very competitive platform.  

 

Possible distractions on Social Sites: 

  • notifications
  • newsfeeds
  • cute pictures of cats in dresses
  • cute pictures of cats in dresses in animated gifs
  • new music
  • pictures of new babies
  • memes (those pictures with clever quotes) that are begging to be shared

The list could go on and on about the layers of distractions with social media.  With a dedicated business website, it is more likely that your potential client's attention can be held.  It is also more likely that you will even be found online.

So, the bottom line is, times have changed and every business needs to secure a domain name and a website. Potential clients and/or customers will see your dedication and sincerity.  A website is your personal spot on the World Wide Web to show off your brand.   

 

So now you may be asking, "How do I get a website?"