In this day and age, computer usage is increasing by leaps and bounds. Every business considers website design at some point or other, even small businesses.
When you consider the computer literacy level of the younger generation, the trend of the future becomes clear. We can imagine that as the future approaches, computers will become a much more dominant influence in all our lives, even more than it already is.
Face it, computers provide entertainment, information, and shopping fun! But you still ask yourself, do I really need a website? As a business, you have to realize that your competitors most likely do, or if they don't, they will! This means that they might have an edge over you right off the bat. (Of course, if their website is unattractive, full of grammatical errors, uninformative, etc., it will drive customers away.....but more on that later.)
Your competitors with a website have that additional exposure, credibility, and opportunity to have their potential clients get to know them and their products in order to lure them into their store before yours!
Being on the internet allows anyone with a computer, smartphone, iPad, or android, etc. to be able to look you up and read about your products or services. When you give out business cards, pass out flyers, or place advertisements with your website name on it, you have another way to put more information about yourself into your potential customer's thought process. Remember, the more they know about you and think about you, the better chances are that they will become your customer. And that's the goal of any business.
Now, a new technology is becoming more and more prevalent. It is called QR codes. In essence, it is a type of barcode that you can print onto your business cards, flyers, etc., that people can scan with their smartphones. When they scan these codes, the mobile page that the QR code is internally linked to pops up on their phone!! This is a great marketing tool that can be implement into your website design.
Not only is an attractive website appealing, but if done well, the proper website designer can help you create your special business identity. Your website can help you identify and focus your business persona that sets you apart from other businesses similar to yours.
There are many websites on the internet that do nothing but give a bad impression of the business or organization that it represents. Face it, people are influenced by attractiveness whether it's people, houses, clothes, or websites! Therefore, it's important that your website has a good look.
Beware web design companies that just throw up a website for you without the thought and creative marketing ideas that are required to develop a website design specifically tailored for you. Some web designers are designers strictly because they have the technical know-how. However, technical know-how does not translate into marketing savvy or creative ability. Be sure that your website looks professional and suited for your needs and type of business while still being attractive and pleasing to the eye.
After all, it's always better to be more attractive than unattractive! Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but in general, a thing of beauty usually appeals to the majority.
A professional, appealing website which provides pertinent and relevant information about its business contributes greatly in establishing credibility. People automatically tend to believe that the business is established and substantial. This website does not look like a do-it-yourself freebie job. It looks as if the business took time and resources to have a professional website created. It portrays the idea that this business is an established business that will stand behind its products and treat you like a valued customer!
In the same way that an attractive, professional website adds credibility and substance to your business, it adds prestige. For example, many people subconsciously feels that a business that has a very professional website is a better business than one that does not.
This is much like the idea that a doctor that has better bedside manner is a better doctor than one who does not. This may or may not be true, but that's what our hearts feel when we speak with the doctor with the great bedside manner. We feel and say to ourselves, This is a great doctor.
The same psychological pattern holds true for a business with a great website versus one that only has its name in the yellow pages directory. It's human nature. Your website design, image, and content play an important part in drawing clients and customers.
A well designed website can help identify and focus the image you want to have in your area of business.
Who are the target customers you are looking for? Are you the exclusive designer of the clothing industry, i.e., an exclusive boutique wanting wealthy patrons? Or are you the discount house wanting customers who wants to save a dollar by purchasing floor items?
Your website should make it easy for your target audience to identify you as a business they are interested in dealing with. It should improve your reputation and image in its respected area. It is an extension of you and your business. One of the most important website functions is to connect with the website visitor, provide the website visitor with the information they want to see and find interesting, and provide this information with a clear and easy navigation of the website. Your website may also be a vehicle to connect those interested in the subject matter of your business or organization as a group. Blogs and/or forums are great for allowing your group of visitors communicate with each other and you. Ultimately, communication with your website visitors will result in turning the visitors into customers. As trust is developed, and they get to know you and your business, they will be more willing to do business with you.
Many websites are used as a method to market products. The online shopper is a large pool of potential customers. A company website is often a primary tool used to sell products online to that large pool. They do so with the use of photos, descriptions, sale prices, and shopping carts. Again, a well designed website accomplishes these tasks. Clear navigation and ease of use are important in preventing customers from getting frustrated when they cannot complete a purchase due to confusion caused by your website. So be sure that your website is well designed!
Websites are also used to draw people into the store to see the product for themselves. Again, an attractive professional website accomplishes this task. Whether you decide to have a shopping cart on your website, or focus to draw the customers into your local store, a website helps to sell.
In conclusion, the reasons for having a well designed website developed for your business or organization are persuasive. Ultimately, it improves your business and your business image, spreads knowledge of your business, and increases the involvement of the public with your business with the bottom line being that your organization grows. And that is what we all want, isn't it?