Running a small business is no easy task. In fact, it’s fiercely competitive. In my hometown of Kansas City, small businesses make up 97% of the businesses in the metro area. With the market being crowded, and many times, overserved, we struggle over our lengthy to-do lists and never-ending tasks. It can be quite overwhelming, but that isn’t an excuse to neglect the importance of having a great website.
A Custom Website Can Lead to Credibility
Credibility and trust can lead to more sales. And small business owners want all the sales they can get. Although it might be easy or tempting to use a templated, out-of-the-box design, you really should think through all the ramifications of doing so. Having a custom website allows you to serve up the right content to your customers and prospects at the right time. It’s also important to stand out and clearly articulate your value proposition. In the Kansas City market, where I face incredible competition, I want my brand to be noticed and remembered.
Your Customers Are Online
According to a recent survey, 53% of small business owners are likely to make changes to their website, and 51% of small business owners are likely to increase their online marketing practices. This means that website development is an important factor in meeting today’s unique business challenges. Clearly, window shopping isn’t what it used to be. Customers aren’t merely strolling down the streets of downtown Kansas City when they are in the mood to shop. They are firing up their laptops and mobile devices to search for what they want.
A Bad Website Is Worse Than No Website
Having a bad website is equivalent to having poor customer service. Even though you may only have a handful of employees, your online presence should denote credibility, trust, and professionalism. Investing in a custom website and professional website development is important. Your web developer should know and follow best practices for mobile optimization and responsive design and build the site with an engaging user experience that also follows SEO best practices. Having a professional, polished site with easy navigation and provides the user a great experience lends tremendous credibility to your brand image. In addition, if you are like many small business owners and are trying to expand your digital and social marketing, your website will be an anchor to those programs.
Get to Know Kansas City’s Premier Web Developer
By now, I hope you agree with the reasons for investing in a custom website. If you have a website, but it hasn’t been refreshed in years, or your business has changed, and you need some extra functionality added to your site, contact me for a free consultation. I’ve been developing affordable, custom websites for clients in the Kansas City area for years.