[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#e4f1f3″ custom_padding=”17px||19px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
I had the pleasure of building websites this past year for a new type of client. Faced with a sudden job loss (thank for nothin’, Covid) they turned their hobby into a business. I think that is fabulous. And I think they’re smart cookies for having the foresight to launch a website early in their business game. Some types of businesses do well with word-of-mouth referrals, or with social media. If you have an Instagram feed full of mouth-watering confections, or hundreds of Facebook fans who follow your daily workouts \u2013 well, you\u2019ve got it made in the shade.<\/span><\/p>\n But it\u2019s hard to control who sees what on social media, and the effort you put into taking fab photos and crafting the perfect wording can often go unseen. Unshared. Unnoticed.<\/span><\/p>\n This is an advertiser’s nightmare.<\/span><\/p>\n Whether you are an established small business, or a hobby-turned-business, you will also need to have a website.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”blackjack||||||||” text_font_size=”34px” text_line_height=”1.4em” custom_padding=”|20%||20%|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|2%||2%|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|0%||0%|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Having a website isn’t just selling goods & services, it’s providing value to potential customers.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Quattrocento Sans||||||||” header_font=”Quattrocento Sans||||||||” header_3_font=”Abhaya Libre||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#1397ac” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” header_4_font=”Quattrocento Sans||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Here’s why most businesses need a website:<\/span><\/p>\n If this were the only reason on the list, it would be enough. Think about it. Would you trust a business that didn\u2019t have a website?\u00a0<\/span>If you don\u2019t have a business website, today\u2019s digital-savvy (and impatient) customers may look elsewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n True example: I once asked around for recommendations of local caterers. Two different small businesses received rave reviews from several of my Facebook friends.\u00a0 So I Googled them. One caterer had a website with photos of some of their events, a list of services and prices, and a page about how they got into the business and how they love what they do. <\/span><\/p>\n The other caterer? No website. Guess who I hired? Both were highly recommended by people I knew, but I put more faith in the company that took itself more seriously, and built an online presence. I figured that they would take my event more seriously, too.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Not only can you display your products or outline your services in detail with beautiful images, but you can provide short video tutorials or downloadable PDF instructions to give hesitant customers no reason to go elsewhere to purchase.<\/span><\/p>\n Combining your website with\u00a0\u00a0email marketing<\/a>, helps you reach new customers and generate repeat business.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Most people do a little online research before making a purchase. Don’t you? I certainly do. When I pull up my Google search bar and type in “ballet shoes,” I am interested in learning more. When I type in “girls pink ballet shoes size 7 Smyrna” you can believe I have my wallet open and I need shoes now<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n If you have a business\u00a0<\/span>website, you can optimize it for search engines<\/span>. I can help increase your chances of appearing at the top of Google\u2019s results, which will put you front and center with more potential customers.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text ul_position=”inside” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Quattrocento Sans||||||||” header_font=”Quattrocento Sans||||||||” header_4_font=”Quattrocento Sans||||||||” custom_margin=”|20%||20%|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|5%||5%|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”10px|||20px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_all=”4px” border_color_all=”#3bbfd4″ border_style_all=”dotted” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nYour customers expect it.<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
You can showcase your products or services.<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
You\u2019ll show up in Google search results.<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n