Let’s say you own a small bakery or a plumbing company. Naturally, running a small business of this sort means you might freak out at the thought of having to run your own business website. You might even consider a small business having a website to be a waste of money.
However, we’re here today to tell you that this is not the case. Having a website for your small business is not a waste of money. Here’s why.
Making a Website Need Not be Expensive
To build a website for a small business, expect to spend around $2,000 to $9,000. Some sources claim that small business sites can cost up to $48,000. On top of that, you also have to pay for website maintenance charges amounting to $1,200 a year.
Now on average, a small business owner has to spend around $40,000 in their first full year of business operations. Having to spend almost one-fourth of it on a website seems ridiculous, right?
However, at present, building a website need not be expensive at all. This is mostly thanks to AI website builders.
An AI website builder takes inputs from the user in the form of prompts. Then, using the prompts, the AI website generator starts working its magic. Hocoos notes that the AI-generated website is ready within minutes, that too for free, or just around $15 a month.
As you see, building an AI website doesn’t require you to have any technical skills. Hence, you can ditch the professional web development services and make the site yourself. Therefore, if you don’t have the budget for a website, don’t worry; AI website generators are here to the rescue.
It Becomes Vital to Your Company’s Online Visibility
As you should know, a well-designed website acts as a digital storefront, welcoming visitors from around the world and showcasing your products or services. If you don’t have a website, your business risks being invisible to people who rely on the internet to find what they need.
With proper Search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, even a small business website like yours can rank higher on search engines. That will make it easier for potential customers to discover your business.
Also, note that a website serves as the central hub for your online presence. It integrates seamlessly with your social media profiles, online reviews, and other digital marketing efforts. This synergy amplifies your reach and enhances your brand’s credibility.
Potential customers are more likely to trust a business with a professional website, as it signifies reliability and legitimacy. In contrast, lacking a website can make your business appear outdated and less trustworthy.
Website Marketing is a Must for Businesses of All Sizes
Effective marketing strategies help drive traffic to your site, turning visitors into customers. Without it, your beautifully designed website may remain unnoticed, rendering your investment ineffective.
Utilizing social media and email marketing can further amplify your website’s reach. Sharing content, promotions, and updates through these channels keeps your audience engaged and drives traffic back to your site.
An integrated approach of such nature ensures your small business stays competitive, leveraging the power of online marketing to grow and thrive.
Your Customers Must be Able to Purchase Your Products or Services Online
People’s tendency to shop online for various products and services is a major reason for your small business to get a website. After all, the website will be the contact point between your potential customers and your business. Without a website, they can’t make online purchases of whatever it is that you are selling. That, in turn, will see you lose valuable business.
As of 2024, there are over 2.71 billion digital buyers across the globe. This year, global retail e-commerce sales are expected to exceed the value of $6.3 trillion. Thus, you must have a website where people can buy your products or services, or even contact your support team.
Simply integrating an e-commerce buying and cart feature, along with a payment gateway, is enough here. If you provide services instead of products, have a contact form where customers can request your services or book them.
Money Put to Good Use
Based on our discussion so far, one thing is certain – having a website for your small business is not a waste of money. If anything, this website will be an asset to your company if you do it right. Hence, take the right steps, get that website, and watch your business grow bigger.
