Is your local business missing out on a large segment of traffic to your store? It's amazing how many businesses in my area do not have a website. Many small businesses serving a local clientele don't see the need to be on the Web, despite the fact that web searching has become the predominate method of finding a local business.
By now everyone knows that the Yellow Pages are getting smaller and smaller and tend to only cover a tight local area. If you advertise in the Yellow Pages, yet are outside my own Yellow Pages book, I may never find you. As the demographic age of your prospects gets younger, they tend to use computer/tech methods when looking for a product or service. Most probably won't even think of the Yellow Pages when searching for your product or service. They will think of Google.
Top Ten reasons your local business needs a Website:
- This is the 21st Century-Even the Yellow Pages are on the Internet now. If your customers do find you in the Yellow Pages it will probably be online. Most people's fingers don't do the walking anymore, they point and click. And the younger your customers, the less likely they will have ever seen the Yellow Pages.
- A website is one of the least expensive ways to advertise, and with incredible Bang for your Buck compared to Yellow Pages or Newspaper ads.
- There is no limit to the amount of information you can include in your website. A Yellow Page or Newspaper ad is expensive and can only hold so much information. But if you do use these, always include your web URL.
- A website allows you to Pre-Sell in as much detail as you want or need. It's always nice when people walk in through your door already knowing what they want and are ready to make a purchase.
- A website allows Plenty of room for a Menu if you are a Restaurant, a listing of Services, or even an entire product Catalog.
- Customers can interact with you by asking Questions and filling out inquiry Forms, setting Appointments, making Reservations, etc. They can even place their Take-Out Order right online.
- Google Maps and Driving Directions can be integrated into your website. No more seeing your address in an ad and not knowing where you are. If they can't find you they won't come. If they do want to find you, they will probably get online and go to Google Maps anyway. Why n0t simplify the process for them?
- You can include a Video Sales message or Product Demonstration so that much of your selling is already accomplished. Your video can even include a message or closing statement that induces them to come see you. A personal touch in a video can work wonders.
- A website gives your prospects a fuller picture of your company and gives them an emotional feeling about who you are and what you can do for them. If you don't have a website, many customers will consider you to be smaller and less capable.
- Your Local business can suddenly become a Nation-wide or even Global business. If your product can be shipped you may have a very large untapped market just waiting for you.
I'm sure you can think of even more reasons. But this list should convince anyone that local business is considered more competent if they utilize all the current tools available to them. As demographics, culture, and trends change and evolve, so must Small Business.
Rick LaPoint has years of experience in Sales and Marketing. When he's not busy writing or giving presentations about the Stock Market, you can find him Guerrilla Marketing for Small and Home Business at http://www.LaPoint.biz
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