There was a time when websites were just for sharing information, a one-way communication.  A lot has changed, today the website is like the backbone of your digital marketing and the importance of website can not be ignored. It is a marketing tool, a lead generator, a platform to engage with your customers, an online shop and more. Even after all this, it is shocking to know that very few small businesses have a website.

About 85% of consumers are looking online for information that will help them make smarter purchasing decisions. If your business is not on the web, it’s not existing in a world where most customers are spending their time.

IMPORTANCE OF A WEBSITE FOR MARKETING

Website is your virtual address:

People who come in touch with you would like to know more about you and your business and a website address gives them answers to most of their questions, but that will happen only when you have a website. First and foremost a website gives your organisation an online presence, a virtual address where anyone can visit to know more about you and your organisation.

Be present on search engine pages: 

As already stated above, over 85% of consumers check for information related to products and service online. Where will you appear in this search if you do not have a website? Lack of a website means no presence on search engines. Search engines today are more powerful than the big fat directories in the good old day. Search engines can bring in good organic traffic and paid traffic of your potential customers on your door-step.

Website helps you engage with your customers: 

Your website creates a channel for customer engagement. A good business website gives people opportunities to interact with your business, such as by requesting a free quote, scheduling an appointment, answering questions through chatbots, emailing your business, or even just looking up your address and phone number. The more information your customers can learn about your company in the fastest amount of time, and the more opportunities they have to engage with you, the more likely they will be to engage with you.

You have more control over your website than your social media platforms:

If you think you do not need a website because you have an online presence through social media platforms then think again. Social media profiles may not present as clear and structured information as your website can. Also, your website has your content and is also your asset and you have complete control over it.  Unfortunately, that’s not true with social media. Your social media profile has your contents but that is not your assets and you also do not have complete control on everything. Your social media may have all the information as on your website but it will be scattered all over, which may be difficult for your customers to locate and may not be as detailed as it can be on your website.

Website helps increase credibility:

Consider yourself looking for a service and you got references for 3 companies. Out of the 3  companies, 2 have a website but the 3^rd company has no website. What will you do? Of course, check out the information before speaking to them about the services they are looking for. Chances are you may not even consider speaking to the 3^rd company. Even if you find these companies at par with each other for the service that you are looking for, you may not consider the 3^rd company as credible as first 2 companies. On the contrary, if a website is very engaging and gives more information than your competitors then chances are you may consider going with that particular company.  

Website helps Generate leads:

A website helps your business by generating leads with calls-to-action. A call-to-action is a button or text on your website that prompts someone to provide their contact information for a specific purpose. Having calls-to-action on your website that require visitors to fill out a contact form provides you with a list of people to follow up with and potentially convert into clients and customers.

 The Backbone of marketing:

A well planned and engaging website can be more than just an information-sharing tool, it can be the backbone for your digital marketing. People who find you on the search engine can be directed to your website for detail information about your organisation. If they like your content they may share their contact details through the sign-up form on your website. You can now be in touch with these prospective customers through email. You can send newsletters periodically, share deals and offer and also about the latest development in the organisation. Most of these contacts may turn in to your customers in future. The company can also generate regular traffic from social media. The company can also run online and offline campaigns and share the website link to connect with interested prospects and engage with them. The importance of a website for marketing extends to every aspect of your digital marketing strategy.

An organisation may start with having some online presence through social media, directories, etc but the importance of the website and the boost that it can give to the marketing of the organisation can not be ignored.