COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
Don’t take chances when it comes to your website.
We’ve discovered that many business owners have some dangerous misconceptions about their website and internet presence which is limiting their growth and success. Don’t let these misconceptions limit your success.
IS A WEBSITE REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?
Yes! And every day it becomes even more important.
Recent research reveals that 93% of all retail and 64% of all B2B buying decisions begin on the internet. Millions of people search the internet hourly. They use it to do research, obtain information, find suppliers, compare prices, answer questions, and verify the legitimacy of businesses. If you don’t have a website, you’re virtually invisible.
I ALREADY HAVE A WEBSITE. WHY DO I NEED TO UPDATE IT?
Your business changes over time. Does your website reflect those changes?
Having an outdated website is almost as bad as not having any website. Your customers can tell that your website is old, and it may not contain the current information they are seeking. Typically, old sites are not mobile compatible where over 70% of all searches originate and using these non-mobile sites on a mobile device is irritating and unpleasant. Remember, you have less than 10 seconds to make an impression and capture a prospects attention. An outdated site is the fastest way to lose web visitors and an outdated website means you’re losing business every day.
CAN I JUST USE MY FACEBOOK PAGE INSTEAD OF A WEBSITE?
No! Facebook is not a substitute for a website.
It is a social platform with some adaptations for business use but it’s primarily a place for social interaction. Using Facebook instead of a website as your primary internet presence is like living in your car. A car is a great tool for transportation, and in a pinch, you could live in it, but a car is a poor substitute for a house and Facebook is a poor substitute for a website. In the same way that you never know where a car might be parked, Facebook does not provide a consistent place to list the pertinent information your clients are seeking. A car is great for taking you to and from your house, and in that same vein, Facebook should be used to bring people to your website. It has its place, but it is not a viable substitute for your website. Additionally, many people are not Facebook users. If you only use Facebook, you are limiting your audience and potential customers.
DO ONLINE DIRECTORIES MATTER?
Yes. Online directories get very high page ranking.
The high ranking of online directories gives you more connection opportunities with your prospective clients. Your listing in these directories may be an additional place internet searchers can find you. Additionally, providing complete directory information should include a link to your website. Inbound links demonstrate to search engines that your product or service can be found ubiquitously on the internet. That in turn, will elevate your page ranking. Directory links, social links, blog links, guest blogger posts or any other quality website that links back to your site gives your website more legitimacy. You get to the point of ISYE (I've Seen You Everywhere) with your clients. That give you more name recognition and credibility even with people who have never used your product or service. Directory listings take some time to set-up but they are free inbound links and worth the effort.
ISN’T SOCIAL MEDIA JUST A WASTE OF TIME?
No! Search engines now expect web assets to have a ubiquitous presence on the internet.
They no longer rank a web page just on the basis of that website’s stand-alone attributes. They look for cross referencing, inbound links, and multiple channels for each asset. If your product or service is only listed one time on a website, it may be overlooked by the search engines, since it cannot be cross referenced to other platforms.
Yes, it takes time to post on multiple platforms but the benefits of raising your company’s profile on the internet and driving more traffic to your website is worth the extra time. Posting on a blog, and/or social platforms serves two purposes. It helps you reach a wider audience and it helps to improve the page ranking of your website.
IS YOUR WEBSITE CURRENT AND COMPLETE?
Your customers expect current, accurate information.
Have you ever noticed that the best stores constantly change their merchandize and displays? They know that you won’t keep shopping in their store if you think all the merchandise is exactly what you saw the last 4 times you were in the store. In the same way, your website cannot be a “done once upon time” endeavor, if you want it to be the valuable asset it needs to be to promote your success. Your prospects know when a website is outdated, and it subtly communicates that you’re not taking care of business. If you neglect your website, are you also neglecting other important parts of your business? A neglected website undermines trust and creates the wrong impression. Internet searchers are savvy. If they encounter an outdated website, more likely than not, within 10 seconds they will leave that website forever.
