Lesson 2: What is the purpose of YOUR website?
Before you start building your website, you need to answer one important question: Why do YOU want a website? This may sound simple, but answering this question is foundational to building an effective website.
TAKE TIME TO REFLECT
What are some of the reasons that you want a website? Take some time now to jot down those reasons before moving forward. The answers will be really helpful for what’s ahead.
When you’re figuring out what information to place on your site and where to put it, you want to remember why your website exists and what you’re trying to get people to do on your site.
A few ways a great website can help your brand
Since you’re taking this course, you probably already know that having a website is really important. But, let’s unpack why it is important. Click on the items below to learn more about why having a business website is important.
Your website helps you get taken more seriously.
Even if you are a very small business, not having a website raises questions in customers’ minds. People expect businesses to have their own websites, just like they expect businesses to have a physical address. Having a website reassures people that your business is legitimate and proves your credibility.
Your website gives customers a way to find you.
Websites help customers find your business and share it with others. In the same way that you likely use the internet to find a new restaurant or a repair person, potential customers will search online to find businesses offering your product or service.
A website enables you to show up in search results and allows people to link to you on Yelp, Facebook, or other sites. In particular, having a memorable domain name makes it easy for people to remember where to find you online and to share your website with others.
Your website converts visitors into customers.
While your website can convert visitors to customers through providing an online store, it’s a common misconception that you only need a website if you’re going to sell products online. Although e-commerce sites are increasingly popular, the majority of business websites are informational.
Your website can convert visitors into customers by allowing them to book an appointment, get directions to your store, sign up for a newsletter, or call you to find out more information, etc.
Your website helps you build your brand presence.
We’ll get into the details of this in Lesson 5, but basically, your site is another important way for you to build your brand. The look and feel of your website should be another touchpoint that shows your customers why your business exists and what your personality is as a business. As we learned in Course 1, a consistently communicated brand builds trust and loyalty with your customers.
Whether your business is large or small, well-established or new, websites are like an online billboard or a virtual business card. You do not have to be selling a product to need a website. A website/online presence is a must-have for any business.
Now that you know the specifics of why having a website is vital for any business, let’s go deeper. Click on to the next lesson to find the precise purpose for your website.