If you’re looking into starting your own business or you already have one, you must have a web page to help your business grow. Even if your business is local or is only in a brick and mortar store, you must have a website to stay competitive and find new (and keep current) customers. A website is essential to business growth.
However, sometimes, having a bad website is worse than not having a website at all.
I recently discovered a local business that sells grass fed beef. I couldn’t wait to try their service. However, it’s been 8 weeks since I found out about them, and I still haven’t bought anything from them.
Why?!?!
Having a Solid Website Matters!
Their website doesn’t offer customers any way to order or to pay online. Instead, customers have to e-mail the owner their orders. Yes, you read that right.
How inconvenient in this modern age.
As a small business with a web presence, having a way for customers to pick the items, add them to a cart and pay is essential.
And now, it’s easier than ever to do this. For a few hundred dollars (no more than a few thousand at the most), a web designer could revamp the site and create a way for people to place their orders. When a company is just beginning, the design doesn’t have to be fancy or eye catching (but it’s better if it is). If a business is short on cash flow, they could initially start with a basic website and improve it as they make more money.
Make Sure Your Website Accepts Online Payments
Finding merchant account providers isn’t difficult. There are many available that offer a wide array of services to fit any budget and any business. Again, the business owner could start small and change to a more expensive service provider as their business and their website’s demands grow.
Yes, offering these services on a limited business budget can be difficult, but it must be done. I wonder how many thousands of dollars this farmer has lost because of his website. Chances are, creating a functional website will pay for itself many times over within the first year. This is an essential part of doing business.
Cutting corners and staying within budget when a business is just starting out is important. However, skimping on web functionality is not the place to cut corners, especially when it costs the business profits and customers.
What are your thoughts on small business websites? Is accepting online payments make it or break it?
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To the next! All the best!!