“Do I need a website?” 4 reasons for why you definitely need a website

We’ve heard it asked before, and maybe you’ve been asking yourself the same question,

“Do I really need a website?”,

or maybe you’re thinking,

“Can’t I just use my Facebook business page, Instagram business profile, or LinkedIn”.

Or possibly you have a different issue altogether and you’re saying to yourself,

“But I’m doing so good via word of mouth”.

In this post, I’m going to briefly go over four reasons for why you should still invest in a website and why I believe you shouldn’t rely solely on your social media platforms or just word of mouth as your primary avenues for reaching, communicating, and gaining business with your potential clients.

Reason #1 Ownership: You don’t own your social media platforms. Point blank period.

Nope, not even a little bit and if they decide that you’re in violation of their terms and they disable or shut down your account there is nothing you can do about it.

You can cry (I’ve seen videos about this, Google it) and also petition for them to reinstate your account but ultimately the decision to let you back onto the “playground” would be completely up to them.

If they decide to change up the rules aka terms of use, because they can, you will need to adjust your behavior accordingly. Or what if they just decide to shut down as in the case of Vine? What then?

So if you’re even just a little bit of a rule-breaker— definitely get your own website.

I’m not at all against using social media platforms to grow your business, I think you’d be silly not to, because free advertisement and it’s good business to be where you’re people are. But using social media to reach your ideal clients should be in addition to your website not in place of.

Don’t depend on it or put all your huevos in one basket.

Reason #2 Establish Your Presence online: Imagine everything you have to offer in one central online location—your very own online HQ.

When your potential clients/customers come looking, and they will, you want them to be able to find what they need without having to jump around to all of your social media platforms. Or all those landing pages to find what they need. Because the truth is people are impatient and they won’t hop around too much, if at all.

Honestly, if a business doesn’t have a website, not even a simple one, I hesitate to move forward. I don’t want to have to call or email each time I have a question about the services they offer. I want to read quickly and learn on my own before having to reach out to determine if I need more information or if I’m ready to move forward.

You don’t want your potential clients/customers to have to work so hard to find out more about you. They should be able to go to one place to see what you have to offer. Then go from there. This is the direction the world is moving to, no more physical stores, it’s all moving online. Are you ready and prepared?

Reason #3 Control: A website allows you to control how your ideal client or customer, experiences you and your product.

A website will communicate to your potential clients/customer who are you, your style, and if y’all go together.

Your website will allow you to say all that you have to say with no restrictions on your own personal style. Sure, there are things you can do to tweak your social media channels and all that you represent but ultimately the layout, the shell of the site is based on the social media platform you’re on.

Imagine giving your clients/customers an ad free, distraction free website that they can go to and interact with you, learn more about YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS!? That alone should be motivation for you to get a new website.

Imagine your own colors and layout—a style that screams you and convinces them to buy from you right then and there.

A website will help your clients determine if you’re their style? If you have what they need? Your website is your online first impression, it communicates your style and level of professionalism.

You have one shot with your website so make it a good one, by having a website to show.

Reason #4 Wider Connection: A website helps you get found outside of your word of mouth connections and referrals.

Imagine a potential client/customer near you or half way around the world searching in Google for the best Brand Strategist in their area or anywhere and you come up! How exciting!

Then imagine they click on the link to your website and find everything they need to know about you in order to buy from you (reasons #2-3).

Imagine your website guiding them onto your email list, or compels them to book a free consultation with you. Or how about they spend hours consuming your content, blog posts, podcasts, videos, etc. and then they decide to buy from you. The opposite of that is going to your IG or FB page and getting an inconsistent glimpse of who you are, they look for the link to learn more, but there’s nothing there.

So, that’s it I suppose I could keep giving you reasons for why you should have your very own website but these are the most important.

What do you think? Do you think small business owners can forgo having a website? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading,