Updated October 26, 2021
With the ever-increasing array of Social Media channels, directory services and Google’s own Google My Business listings, does it still make sense to invest in a professional website for your business?
Your customers expect it.
Consumers are able to find information directly from search results and things like Google My Business, but depending on your business model and target market, having your own website will instill trust in your company and gives you an opportunity to present yourself in such a way that customers feel confident in your product and/or services.
Keep control of your brand.
Without controlling your own brand and website, you are at the whims of Facebook, Google etc. The (user-generated) content on these platforms becomes the property of the media company, and can no longer be removed from their ever-growing databases (as some public figures and politicians have experienced to their dismay). Third-party media companies also change their policies and rules from time to time, which could affect your online visibility dramatically. With a developer that provides custom web design services, you have full control over your brand.
Get found online.
Every business’s goal is to rank high (preferably on the first page) of the search results in Google. Although it might not be impossible, it is very difficult to rank well in the local search results without your own website. Google and other search engines, use content from websites to make judgment calls about how relevant your website (and your business) is to the person searching. Organic (free) results in the search engine still make up a large portion of clicks
Quality content improves relevance and authority.
If you are serious about having local visibility online (and who isn’t) it is important to have relevant content available to visitors. Your website is still the main hub of information; neatly organized and easy to navigate and all in one place.
Conclusion.
Ever since the web was introduced, sharing information and interacting with others has been its main purpose. Google revolutionized the accessibility of this information through their search engine and continues to improve the way the world finds information. Their mission is ‘to organize the world’s information and making it accessible’, implying that without content, there is no Internet. In other words, having a well-designed website with relevant information is still the foundation of any (online) marketing strategy and an important factor in being visible online.
And if you are still wondering how websites can work for you and your business, make sure to check out the Ultimate Guide to Building a Website.
Posted: October 26, 2021
