​If you plan to sell products or offer services this year you must get a professional website.  If you are not online people will not see you and will choose another business over yours. Here are the top reasons to get a professional website for your business in 2021.

1) Lockdowns changed how customers interact with businesses

A professional website will help your business get more customers in 2021.

• Are you sitting by your phone waiting for that dream customer to call? They will struggle to find your number if you do not have a website or Google presence.
• Have you reopened your store and are waiting for passers by to pop in and buy your products? STOP waiting and change your strategy today. How do your customers know that you are open?
• Do you wish people would choose your business over overseas competition? Make it easy for people to do that by being open for shopping / booking 24/7.

Your new website is a great way to let people know the best way to contact you. You can specify days, times and can even offer them a free call back if you like.

Make it easy for people to get in touch with your business

If you are not on Facebook and Instagram get on them today. Make your business profiles and add your contact details. Then in your new website you should include your social media feeds. Now your website visitors can contact you via their preferred social media platform. This will improve your monthly reach and will enhance your customer engagement.

You can also let people know on your website the best way to contact you based on the query. For example a hairdresser might say;

• Book a haircut via our website
• Chat to us anytime about your hair challenges via our Facebook page

2) Digital advertising was a mystery to many small businesses until they had no choice

As a small business you can get yourself in front of your ideal customer for free if you are online. Using Social Media and your Website to show off latest offers..etc can be very effective.

Social Media Ads can compliment your Website

You can also drive traffic to your website through social media ads. Using the keywords again enforces the same message to a new audience. Many people are time poor. They struggle to find time to research or find things online.

These same people could spend up to 8 hours a day on social media. If you share the problem you solve on their feed through Ads then your website can convert their visit into a sale.

3) Build trust with social media followers

Anybody can create a business page on social media. To show that you are a legitimate business you can add a link to your website. Only Irish businesses can register .ie domains. This helps you rank in Ireland and it helps people know they are shopping locally. When you have a professional website link on a Facebook page you build trust with your fans. This encourages them to contact you or take action on your website.

Your professional website should showcase

1. what your business offers,
2. a proven track record of the business,
3. how people should contact you.

All this information should be easy to read across a variety of devices. People using their phone will be your most frequent visitors.

If your website is difficult to navigate I recommend removing it from Facebook. You need to spend some time making your website responsive. Otherwise you are wasting your time promoting it through social media. If you do not have time to update your website then get somebody else to do it for you. It will be the best money you spend this year as you will see a dramatic increase in engagement.

4) Get more business through Google Maps

You can attract lots of new customers by adding your business to Google maps. You can display the Google Map on your website to help people navigate to your business.

Add your business to Google Maps to increase traffic

Google now ranks local businesses via Google Maps. When you search for a product or service it shows a map with suggested local businesses. This listing is at the top of Google Search. It is free to list your business here. You add your business to Google maps through submitting your info to Google My Business. This is an incredible way to increase footfall in your store or get bookings for your service.

5) Get better return for your advertising spend

When you advertise online you can choose to pick a specific niche to target. Targeting niches is an excellent way to reduce your advertising costs. It improves your return on investment.

Advertising through google and social media can be cost effective for business

Getting your website online can take as little as 2 weeks. With the right advertising strategy you could rank number one in your niche in as little as 6 months. This will increase your sales and in turn improve your cash flow for 2021.

Don’t delay considering a new website today. We would love to connect with your business. I am happy to answer any questions you may have – please leave a comment below. I hope that you enjoyed this article and it helps you structure your new website.