Small business owners are known for staying on top of current market trends. So why did a recent survey by Discover Small Business Watch reveal that only 45% of small business owners had created a company website?
After all, 47 percent of consumers said they are more likely to use a small business that has a website. That’s according to the same survey. (Read the report on the BBB’s website.)
Why aren’t more business owners reacting?
The answer is simple and familiar to any entrepreneur: Small business owners can’t do it all. And in today’s economy, many small businesses simply do not have the budget to outsource jobs that the in-house staff can’t manage.
Create a website? That can wait until later…can’t it?
Of course it can, but consider the cost of leaving money on the table. Think of it this way: Most business owners would never put off making a sale or providing top-notch customer service. Getting your business on the Internet can have a huge impact on sales and customer service down the line – if done right.
A huge exception
Experts like Entrepreneur columnist Tim Knox say there’s one HUGE exception to that rule: “It’s actually better to have no website at all than to have one that makes your business look bad.”
So if you don’t have the funds or the programming skills to build a top-notch website, there are plenty of alternatives to get your business online and noticed.
Instead of building a website that requires weekly or monthly maintenance, it’s a heck of a lot easier to test the waters – and customer reaction – with a large display add on a reputable Internet directory, like CityOf.com
You’ll accomplish two major goals: You’ll get your business online and discover just how much business you’re missing out on.
The Internet dwarfs other advertising
The Internet is now part of the daily fabric of our lives. We use it for for work, research, learning, socializing and, of course, shopping.
In fact, 80% of us now spend as much time online as we do watching television, according to Steve Strauss, author of The Small Business Bible.
In the past, customers would think twice about doing business with someone who had no storefront. The Internet is the equivalent of a storefront in our mobile and digital age. It doesn’t matter if you run a service-related industry or if your product can’t be purchased online. Customers are looking for you online at that initial point of contact.
Read a previous post about how people use the Internet like a phone book.
If a new customer or even an existing customer can’t find you on the Internet, there’s a good chance they’ll run into your competitor online.
So stop sitting on the sidelines. Use the Internet to your advantage by letting your customers know that you’re on top of new technology AND your business is available online 24/7.
When shopping around for advertising, find out what bonuses are offered and whether the ad will even be found. In your ad, you should include pertinent information, like location, hours and any other answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
If your budget is limited, you should seriously check out CityOf.com and its growing network of 117+ local directory sites with names like THECityOfBaltimore.com and THECityOfPortland.com.
For just $469 for the entire year, you’ll get a 4×6 ad PLUS a web page built for you at no extra cost! You can add information, a list of Frequently Asked Questions and even include special promotional coupons or codes to entice customers to use your services.
It’s time to get listed … and get found!
