The Internet can seem like a daunting place when considering moving your business online. It’s a given that the Internet has become a go-to for information and reviews on products and services. Chances are, if you are already operating a small business there are people online talking about it. There are limitless opportunities when opening the door to an online business, giving you access to customers you may have never been able to target by any other means.
Here’s a few reasons to convince you that its time to move your business online;
- You’re already a hot topic
As mentioned earlier, even if you don’t have an online presence its highly likely that your customers are already talking about your business online. It’s important to create a portal that invites this conversation whether through a comments section on your company blog or a discussion board. If a customer is frustrated or upset they can tell the world in a matter of seconds, and if your company isn’t there to make amends this feedback can be the only thing potential customers see when they search your business in Google.
Having a website won’t prevent negative comments being made, but it helps you control the conversation and allows your business to demonstrate its commitment to your customers through resolving the issue and not shying away from the problem.
- Potential customers can find you
Majority of consumers will research a company online before they do business. If your business does not feature in search engines its likely to deter potential customers and point them in the direction of a competitor that has an online presence. By having an online presence namely through a website, not only are your customers finding you, but you are also opening the doors to new customers that may stumble upon your site from search engine searches.
At the end of the day it is vital to have a website for your business. If you don’t already have one, then let us help
- Empower your own customers.
Never underestimate the importance of self-service. Letting your customers get online when it’s convenient for them empowers them. And when it comes down to it, customers are busy people too. Eliminate a lot of time spent doing the paperwork of ordering, which frees up your customers to improve their own businesses.
If they have a question, they can get online and find out the answer themselves. Maybe they don’t remember a detail and can look it up. And what if they could make orders through their mobile or tablet? In the middle of the night, or while on vacation? Without having to wait for your salespeople? This is the power of self-service. And you can improve communication with your customers with faster response times and a better connection.
- Everyone will see eye to eye.
Ok, everyone in your company won’t suddenly agree with everything, but at least people will be making decisions based on the same data. Your supply chain manager, your sales manager, your accountant, and anyone else who accesses your online system will have the same, up-to-date information regardless of location or accessibility. Having the same information will make a world of difference, especially when it comes to communication, which brings us to the communication advantage.
Updated information online about inventory, sales orders and customers that is easily accessible by anyone will improve communication and increase transparency between departments. From the customer side, they will also feel this transparency – accessing a company online adds an extra level of trust to the relationship.
