I’d be a rich gal if I had a dollar for all the times new small business owners tell me that they’re using [insert social media platform] as their website. It’s time to stop playing small and get serious about your business showing up online.
1. Credibility with Your Customers
Yes, I was one of those people who started their business and went almost a full year without a website.
Want to get taken seriously by your customers? Stop using social media as your landing page for your services.
Here are some fun stats that I hope will change your mind:
Social media marketing gets around a 2-5% reach to your audience
Email marketing reaches about 33% of your customers
Where does the traffic from your emails go? Your website.
I read a stat that said 30% of your future consumers won’t consider a business without a website. It’s time to be taken seriously and make the leap.
2. It Doesn’t Need to be Perfect or Cost a lot -- it Just Needs to Exist.
An excuse I often hear is that building a website is not in the budget for small businesses owners.
What if I told you places like Squarespace make it simple to start a new website at as little as under $300 a year.
Often websites like Squarespace come with amazing tech support people who will simply walk you through building a website from a template you can easily customize.
This is how I started and I’ve also helped several coaching clients launch sites.
Your site doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to have a page or two when you start with pages like who you are, the services or products you offer and a way to contact if you want the services.
3. Another Popular Excuse is that Search Engine Optimization is Expensive.
When it comes to digital marketing, having a website that is optimized for search can be one of the most cost-effective online marketing strategies in your marketing plan. In fact, this should be your starting point.
Website companies like Squarespace, Wordpress and Wix make search engine optimization easy with tabs, plug-ins, etc., to make your website stand out in search in no time.
All it takes is knowing what keywords to use. I like to start by using the Google Keyword Planning Tool or creeping on competitor websites to see what they’re using and go from there.
When I teach simple SEO strategies in my coaching programs, my students are often amazed at the ease it can be to do and learn yourself.
Over the next couple of weeks, I will walk you through the path of standing out online, NOT just on social media so that you’re feeling less overwhelmed and creating a cohesive plan that works for you.