Credit: Shutterstock photo
When my staff at WinWeb.com speak with small business owners, they are often surprised by the reasons they get given for not having a website yet. Most of these reasons are false assumptions or myths about business websites that they have heard and believed. The truth is that no small business can afford not to have an online presence these days. Here are some of the most common excuses we hear:
“I don't have the time.” - Running a website does not have to be a time-consuming process. The people we speak to believe they won't be able to keep it updated, but it is surprising how easy it is to find time to post a few updates every month. Most online shop software will even automatically update your website whenever you are out of stock.
“I don't need one.” - Some people we speak to tell us that no-one in their industry bothers with business websites. We feel that just because their competitors don't have one, it is no excuse for them not to. If you don't believe that your industry will benefit from modern technology, you are almost certainly wrong. Over 80% of people use the Internet to search for products and services and this figure is only set to rise. Be an early adopter in your industry and it could pay dividends.
“I don't understand SEO.” - SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is not as confusing or difficult as it might sound. All that it involves is making sure that any content you write for the website includes keywords that are relevant to your business. This helps people who are looking for these topics in search engines to find your website.
“I don't have enough content.” - People often tell us that they don't have much to say about their business. This is utter nonsense! Think about it a bit more carefully and you will soon realise that you could fill many pages with details of your products and services. A Blog is the best way to generate new content; if you really get to know your niche you will find a plethora of information to write about.
“It will cost too much.” - In the past, this was certainly a valid excuse for many small businesses. Until recently, the cost of getting a great-looking website could be astronomical. It would require thousands of pounds and a dedicated web designer. Now there are surprisingly cheaper alternatives available.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
