These days, almost any small business should have a website. With costs being extremely low at the entry-level, it’s becoming difficult to imagine a reason for any company of any size not to have a website. Many user-friendly, free, and open-source content-management systems are available to assist with Web design, so it is even possible to build a basic small business website without a professional Web designer.

On this page, we’ll discuss why a website is important.

1. Low-Cost Advertising

The Web has a far wider reach than any other form of advertising. While it takes time to build up enough traffic to your website to make a worthwhile impact on your company’s marketing campaign, it costs next to nothing to do so. Your website will be the center of your company’s online presence; through it, you advertise your business around the Web on social networking sites, forums and through pay-per-click advertising programs.

2. Visibility

Increasing visibility is one major factor that makes having a website important. Even if people have heard about your company, they may want to carry out research online first, before leaving the house. Provide a map and directions to your company’s shops or offices on your website so that visitors are less likely to have trouble finding the place.

3. Accessibility

A website is online and accessible 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Because of this, your customers and potential customers can visit your site for support or information about new and upcoming products and services whenever it is convenient for them. Your website will act as an invaluable and always-available resource for information that would otherwise only be accessible during your company’s business hours.

5. Educate Your Customers

Your website can offer free advice about your products and services. This information can be delivered in a well thought out and consistent way any time of the day or night.

4. Sales

Your website can sell products at any time. Potential customers are not restricted to business hours. Instead, they can go online and purchase products whenever they want. A website with an online shop can provide a dramatic boost in sales.

Overall, if the success of businesses depends on the convenience of purchase, then websites win hands down because of the convenience offered to customers for gaining information and making purchases. That is why a website is important for the business.