As a business owner you may be asking “Does my company need a website?” The answer is a resounding YES!

A well designed website makes a powerful statement about your business. It shows your clients and potential customers that you are in step with today’s business climate. After all, over 70% of the United States population uses the Internet. The majority of that 70% will institute a general product search before making purchasing decisions. For most of that subset visiting your company website precedes an in store visit. Therefore, having a business website is now de rigueur; it’s standard operating procedure (SOP).

Although a website’s benefits will vary according to your industry, audience, and services, there are some common advantages. Below, we’ve listed the Top Twelve Benefits of Having a Website.

Website Benefit 1: Instant Representation

Just imagine how potent your business would be if people from all over the globe could see your products and service options. Your business website is an instant visual representation of your company available to millions of potential customers on demand as needed.

Website Benefit 2: 24 7 365: Your Business Is Always Available

A company website puts your prospective customers and current clients in control, allowing them to access information instantly as needed when needed. From simple requests for information, like directions, to more complex issues, like product dimensions, your business website can answer questions on demand not only providing immediate customer satisfaction but freeing you and your staff to focus on other issues.

Website Benefit 3: Increase Potential Customer Base Via Search Engines

Previous to the e-commerce revolution, customers could locate your business under a general heading in the yellow pages. There they received a bare bones account of who you are and what you offer. No longer.

Today’s websites implement search engine optimization which means that customers can find you and more importantly your products and services in a non-linear descriptive manner. Search engines exponentially increase your business visibility and viability in a global market.

Website Benefit 4: Easier & Cheaper advertising

website is quicker and easier to update and therefore more cost effective than traditional promotional materials. Unlike periodical advertisements website space is cheap and stable. Business websites also have the potential of reaching a greater more directed audience leading to greater conversions and increased return on investments (ROI).

However, it is important that you realize that your business website is not advertising, per se. It is not a glorified brochure; instead, the interactive nature of a personal or business website allows users to access a depth of additional information typically not available thru other mediums. A business website is a premium marketing tool whose purpose is to compliment existing marketing and advertising efforts.

Website Benefit 5: Increased Credibility and Enhanced Public Relations

Your business website is an opportunity to tell potential customers who you are, what you are and why they should trust you. Because so many Internet users research their purchasing decisions online, your web presence is a perfect opportunity to influence their mindset and generate sales.

Further, since you control the content you can release time sensitive materials as needed. In addition, your content can be mined by more traditional media; after all, journalists use the Internet too.

Website Benefit 6: Increased Customer Pool Via Globalization

Because websites are not geographically bound the way a brick and mortar is your potential customer pool is vastly increased.

Website Benefit 7: Generate Extra Income

Website based businesses have minimal overhead. Typically, a domain name, a host and a well designed website are your only investments. Furthermore, your website isn’t just a brochure it’s an interactive media tool. You can exploit the inherent referral nature of the World Wide Web by selling and buying ad space offering complimentary services.

Website Benefit 8: Improved Customer Relations

Having a business website not only increases your customer pool but also improves your customer relations. For instance, website forms and email links provide you the opportunity to get quick and continual feedback from your customers. While good website navigation, automatic email response and FAQs, expedites your response increasing customer satisfaction.

Website Benefit 9: Cost Efficient Market Research

A business website offers cost efficient market research via increased customer interaction. Using tools like polls and surveys, your business website continually solicits a customer’s opinion, questions, reviews and feedback.

Furthermore, using online analysis and statistics you can determine who visited your web site, where they came from, what they were looking for, how long they stayed, what action they took and where they left. All of this quantifiable information can be used to better present your company and its products and services to a highly targeted audience.

Website Benefit 10: Save on Office Overhead

Because a website is a virtual store, office overhead is minimal. In fact, many successful on line businesses are run from simple home offices. What’s more, because business process can be automated, a smaller staff, if any at all, is needed. Finally, since much of your business processes occur on line, telephonic and paper costs are dramatically reduced increasing efficiency and being environmentally friendly.

Website Benefit 11: Increase Brand Integrity

Your brand is much more than a logo. It is the visual essence of your business. A business website is an excellent opportunity to establish and promote your brand integrity via content organization, visual imagery and tone.

Website Benefit 12: A Business Website Offers A Multitude of Opportunities

There is a complete new world out there on the World Wide Web. Millions of people access the Internet for leisure, communication, education and business every day. It is a huge business, marketing and promotion potential for your organization.