In today's digital age, it's common for businesses to rely solely on social media pages to establish their online presence. While social media pages are important, they can't replace a website entirely. In this post, we'll discuss why your business needs a website, even if you have social media pages.

One of the primary reasons why having a website is essential for your business is that you own it. You own the content, the URL, the layout, the pictures, and everything else. On the other hand, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter own how things look on your brand's page. The platform determines what your page visitors are going to see first and who sees your page's posts and when they see them. Relying solely on social media pages for your online presence is not a good strategy since the platform could roll out a new update and change the effectiveness of your social media strategy. Therefore, it's important to use social media to drive traffic to your website with clever captions and clear call-to-actions on each of your posts.

Having a website gives you the ability to optimize your content with keywords that people are likely to use when searching online for your products or services. For instance, if you own a gift shop in Albany, NY, you can use the words "gift shop" and "Albany" multiple times throughout your site. Search engines like Google will crawl your website, see those keywords, and put your site in the search results that appear when someone in Albany searches "Gift shops near me." This kind of website traffic is highly valuable since these are people who are already searching for the product or services you offer. When your website shows up in those search results, you are putting yourself in front of the people already in the market who are more likely to convert into a paying customer.

Having a website makes online advertising easier. Search engines offer "pay-per-click" (PPC) advertising for businesses to increase search engine visibility and drive website traffic. With PPC advertising, you can purchase keywords you want your business to show in the results for. These are the "sponsored" or "AD" posts that show up at the top and bottom of search results. Facebook advertising also offers what is called the "Facebook Pixel," which is a bit of code received from Facebook that gets placed into the header section of your website. The pixel essentially acts as a "cookie" and notes anyone who visits your website and stores them in your Business audience as someone who is potentially interested in your product/service. You can then run a Facebook advertising campaign targeted at those people who have previously visited your website. Since you know they are already familiar with your brand, having visited your website, you have a better chance of converting them into a customer.

When you purchase a domain name, you can hook that domain name up to either an email hosting service or professional email service like G-Suite and Office 365. Both of these options give you the ability to set up a professional email address ending in your own website. You can also set up email aliases, which is the digital equivalent of buying a 1-800 number to fake that you're a real company and not just a start-up out of your parents' basement.

Showcasing your brand to your prospective customers is one of the most important things that you can do. By clearly establishing who you are, what you represent and what you stand for, you increase the chances of your customers buying from you.

This is also something that can set you apart from your competitors. Without a website, it can be incredibly challenging to do this because people can't easily find quality and reliable information on your business.

Having a professional website can help establish credibility and trust with potential customers. In today's digital age, a website is often the first interaction that potential customers have with a business. A well-designed website with clear messaging and easy navigation can make a positive first impression and help potential customers feel more confident in the business.

Without a website, potential customers may question the legitimacy of a business, especially if competitors have a professional web presence. In some cases, not having a website can even be a deal breaker for customers who are used to being able to research and compare businesses online.

Having a website can also improve customer service. By providing customers with an online platform to learn more about a business, browse products or services, and easily contact the business, customers can have a better overall experience. A website can also provide customers with important information, such as business hours, contact information, and frequently asked questions, which can save time and frustration for both the customer and the business.

Additionally, a website can provide a platform for customers to leave reviews and feedback, which can help businesses improve their offerings and build trust with potential customers.

Since your website is on 24/7, it's easy to post updates and announcements to your customers. It's a way to keep them up to date on everything that you're doing. When something is particularly relevant to them, it increases the chance of you being able to upsell them.

CONCLUSION:

While social media platforms are important for any business's online presence, they should not be relied on exclusively. A website provides businesses with ownership and control over their online presence, the ability to optimize for search engines, expanded marketing opportunities, a professional email address, credibility and trust, and improved customer service. With so many benefits, it's no wonder why websites have become essential to businesses of all sizes.

If you haven't already, I strongly encourage you to create a website for your business. It doesn't have to be complicated or expensive, and there are solutions available that will work for you. Remember, a website is an opportunity to make a great first impression and establish credibility with your customers.

At Namostee, we provide a range of services including website design and development, logo design, and branding that can help your business stand out in the digital world.

Whether you're an individual, a small startup, or a corporation, our team of experts can help you create a strong online presence and brand identity that will increase your credibility, generate leads, and ultimately, drive revenue growth.

Don't underestimate the importance of a well-designed website and professional branding. In today's world, it can make all the difference for your business. So, why wait? Contact us today and let's start building your online presence together.