Key reasons a website and mobile app will increase your business growth

Hey, I am here to give key reasons why you need a website or a mobile app for your business, and how it can help improve business and increase revenue.

According to research conducted by Statista, there are over 1 billion websites globally, While according to research conducted by First Guide LLC, there are over 8 Million mobile apps on the planet. Millions of people visit different website and click on different mobile apps each day for  different reasons. For example grocery shopping, checking hotel prices, watching videos and so so much more.

Why you need a website for your business

Over the years customer behavior has changed over time to the evolving technologies in the digital era. For instance, the thick yellow pages, which were popular not so long ago, have been replaced with online directories with the advent of the World Wide Web.

While as of today, the number of people who use the internet to find local businesses has increased manifold. According to Hubspot, over 88% of people that do a local search on their smartphone visit or call a business.

Therefore, if you want to grow your business by being in front of the right audience, you need to be found online – implying you must have a website. I will be sharing with you key reasons why you need a website for your business regardless of the industry you are in.

Key reasons why your business needs a website

I’ve put together some specific key reasons why your business should have its own website. If you’re a small or midsize, business owner who is still on the fence, read on!

Reason #1: Your customers expect it

Now more than ever, your tech-savvy customers want to be able to find information about you from your company website. Most consumers do research online before they make a purchase, even if it’s to buy something from their local shop. If you don’t have a website, it sends a message that your business is stuck in the Dark Ages, that you’re not open anymore, or that you’re not interested in finding new customers—and those are certainly not messages you want to send!

Think of it this way, your website delivers your marketing message 24 hours, 365 days in a year! Apart from e-commerce websites, most professional websites are information-oriented and try to solve visitors’ pain points.

Reason #2: A website makes you look more reputable and trustworthy

Consumers are learning to be pretty savvy when they research online. In fact, 75% will judge your credibility based on your website design. That’s why it’s so important to have a modern, up-to-date website with a custom domain and other markers of trustworthiness. A website also shows that you are open for business during a time when there is a lot of uncertainty.

Reason #3: Offer social proof and branding

Customer behavior is driven mostly by what others have to say about your business. No matter, if your brand is rated 5-star on review sites like FourSquare or Yelp, people expect to see your website to get more information about your brand. Having a website for your company instantly creates an official presence on the internet so that you don’t have to depend on others speaking for you. And you can make it look exactly the way you want, with your own logo and company branding. Prospective buyers might already be looking for you online, including a customer testimonials on your site is a great way to impress potential buyers and provide social proof.

Reason #4: You can sell your store products online

Even before COVID-19 kept people stuck at home, Online sales were on the rise. And these trends are expected to continue after businesses reopen to customers. So even if you don’t think of yourself as an “eCommerce” business, you can still use an online store to benefit your offline business. It can help supplement your income when you’re closed in-person, and also attract new customers who will now be able to find your services and products via Google and other search engines.

Reason #5: Maximize your business ROI

In the digital transformation era, creating a website on free tools such as WordPress.org doesn’t cost a lot of money, but provides more bang for your buck. A search engine optimized website lets you be in front of thousands of more potential consumers without spending much. It can help you reach a wider target audience for promoting your services or products. The content on the website also influences buying decisions and commercial transactions, no matter which industry you are in.

Reason #6: You can find new customers near you

A website isn’t mainly for your old customers to find your business.—But it’s an essential tool for attracting local customers too. Almost half (46%) of all Google searches are people looking for something right near them. That’s especially true of mobile phone users who might be looking for a store, restaurant, or another service while they’re on the go. If you don’t have a website, you’re missing out on an opportunity to catch those visitors when they’re right in your neighborhood.

Reason #7: Compete with other Industry competitors

Did you know that having a website gives you a fair chance to compete with the giants of your industry? When an optimized website is created, it can rank higher and be at the right place at the right time. Bidding for the right keywords can increase your website traffic and influence your consumer’s journey, which typically begins with research, recommendations, and reviews. Having a prominent position in the search results page is one of the many ways to challenge your industry Goliaths. Therefore, if you don’t dominate the Internet, you are giving your customers a reason to buy from the competition.

Reason #8: A Website makes it easier to update your business

If you tried starting a website years ago, you might have some bad memories from the experience. It probably took weeks for a developer to build, and then you couldn’t make any changes yourself. Simple things like updating store hours could take forever, so your information was outdated.

Today, it couldn’t be more different. First Guide LLC can help you develop and launch a professional website in just three days.

Reason #9: A website is more affordable than traditional advertising

Many small businesses who don’t have a website still rely on Yellow Page ads or traditional advertising to get their name out there. But is purchasing an ad in ever-shrinking and increasingly expensive directory the best use of funds, especially if you’re trying to cut business costs? Websites cost much less than they have in the past and give you a wider reach than regular advertising.

Reason #10: Showcase your offer

It cannot be stressed enough that a website is the first interaction of your target audience with your brand. How you position your business is totally in your control. Add to it, you can not only display your offerings with features but also provide short video tutorials or downloadable PDF instructions. You can also highlight your awards, testimonials and all the features that can solve your visitors’ pain points. This increases the average time your customers spend on the website and perhaps influences their decision to contact you.

Does my business need a website if I’m on social media?

Maybe you already have a Facebook page and some pretty good reviews on social media or review websites. Lots of business owners assume that a social media profile for their business is enough.

But there are some problems with this strategy. First, you’ll always be dependent on the social media platform you choose. Algorithms change, rules change, and what’s working one day might not work a few weeks from now (as many businesses who depended on Facebook have recently learned).

If you have a website, it belongs to you, and you control the content and the message. Part of the reason you started your own business is so that you don’t have to follow other people’s rules—so why would you just do what a social media platform tells you to?

Trends change, too. If your customers are on Instagram today, they might be on a new platform tomorrow. As people switch from one tool to the next, your website acts as an anchor. No matter what social media service customers prefer, they can always find your website in the same place, available to everyone.

Tips to Get Started

Now that you’ve understood why have a website, let’s look at some ways to get started. First things first, choose a web hosting service. There are several companies that provide both domain and hosting services.

Choose a Domain Name

Ideally, your domain name should be that of your company name. In case, it is not available, you can choose a domain name that reflects your business line. Make the domain name catchy and distinctive. The domain name is a powerful marketing tool that you should fully utilize.

Web Hosting Service

Opt for a web hosting service that is credible with a strong reputation. Choose a service provider that can accommodate changes quickly and economically. This will come in handy especially when your business expands, downsizes, or has other important updates. You can choose web hosts such as Bluehost, Kinsta, Greengeeks, HostGator etc. You can check out our review on Bluehost.

Website Design

Website designing has to be a product of several brainstorming sessions as building it is not as simple as you may think. Make sure your website template is easy to navigate and doesn’t resemble your competitors. After all, you don’t want your business to look similar to your competition. Website developers at First Guide can help you design brainstorming websites that will take your visitors breath away. Request a Quote here.

Key reasons why your business needs a mobile app

For some reasons, you might think that [su_highlight]mobile applications[/su_highlight] are exclusively for big and worldwide brands like Walmart, Amazon, or eBay, you’re totally mistaken. Nowadays, as the day goes by more and more midsize companies are following mobile application development trends. Even small companies are also joining the trend.

Market conditions make small and midsize business owners think that an efficient mobile strategy, to help reach more potential customers is just to have a user-friendly website. but I can tell that according to research conducted by me before I started my company First Guide LLC. I found out 97% of people who installed a company mobile app, revisits the company almost everyday. The main reason why they always revisit is that the company app is always there on their phone, so they always see the company even when they are not needed, but once they are needed it’s just a click away.

[su_highlight]Having a website for your business is good but having both a website and a mobile app for your business will definitely help your business to succeed quickly.[/su_highlight]

Today you can mark that the biggest part of small companies you cooperate with within your day-to-day routine have their personal mobile application. Be it a beauty salon downtown or cozy corner coffee shop. These businesses hold the leading positions in the particular field when it comes to getting their marketing strategy to the next level.

If you’re still confused about why building own mobile platforms for business became so popular, here’re some benefits of joining this club sooner rather than later.

Reason #1: Be visible to the clients constantly

According to the research I conducted using google I found out that, Americans spend around 162 minutes on their smartphone every day. Though, they might be using only specific apps of their interest. But, even for this, they will have to scroll and take a glance at the various apps before actually installing their preferred one. This process, unknowingly, gives you a chance to get noticed among your target market. Having a catchy app icon, text or image can hardly go unnoticed by many users. This, in turn, can prove beneficial for your business.

Reason #2: It provides you with a more direct connection

It’s simple. The application always displays on the device desktop. Moreover, in contrast with the website, the app can be opened with one easy tap. To find your page in the net, the user needs to open the browser and find the appropriate URL to bookmark it.

Read this article: How much does it cost to make a mobile app

The app makes it much easier for clients to leave feedback or call you. Furthermore, all negative comments left on the site are visible for everyone. What about negative feedbacks submitted with the help of an app, they give you a chance to deal with client dissatisfaction before his/her opinion goes public.

Reason #3: Brand Recognition

Did you know? A mobile app can greatly assist in building brand awareness. Let’s break the term brand recognition into two to make it easily understandable:

• Brand: A mobile app acts as a billboard sign for your business. With it, you can resort to different ideas that complement the nature of your business. You can make it look conventional, functional, stylish or even informative – it totally depends on you. But, try to build an app that has features to fascinate your customers at once. Remember, a beautifully designed app loaded with great features and it is surely going to catch the eyeballs of your target segment.
• Recognition: Your efforts must focus on engaging your target segment with your mobile app. The sooner you reach your goal, the more they will get inclined to buy your service or product. This is termed as ‘effective frequency’ in the world of advertising. Your target market should notice you frequently and that’s all you need for brand recognition.

Reason #4: Create a useful marketing channel

A mobile app wears many hats – it provides general information, user accounts, booking forms, messengers, prices, news feeds, search features, and much more. So, you are free to provide as much detail as you want to your customers on the app.

When there are special sales and promotions going on, you can easily flash them on your apps. Additionally, with the feature of push notifications, you can get closer to your target audience while having a direct interaction with them. In short, you can remind your customers about the products, services, special offers, or promotions directly through your mobile app whenever it is required.

In a way, your mobile app becomes your direct marketing channel for your business as it keeps your target audience informed about the updates of your business, products, and services.

Reason #5: Improve your connection with your clients

All the same, whether you’re selling a spa service or flowers, your customers need a resource to reach you without effort. Having a help desk or messenger in the application can change the way you communicate with the clients. For example, if you create a mobile app for your restaurant, the users have a chance to book the table with 5 clicks on your platform. No doubt, instead of phone connection the majority will choose the communication via text. Building your business model around this principle – That’s your key to success.

Reason #6: Give you an edge over your competitors

It’s hard to believe, but today device applications at the small business level are still infrequent. Because of this, you can stay one jump ahead of your competitors. Be one of the first in your area to offer an application to your clients. Be sure, they’ll be amazed by your wise and farsighted approach.

Reason #7: Show your customer’s you appreciate them

When it comes to on-hand data and digitalization, in place of old-fashioned point-collection cards, provide your clients with the possibility to collect loyalty program bonuses via the mobile app. The result won’t take long, and you’ll get more downloads and more regular clients.

Reason #8: Cultivate loyal customers

This is one of the most important reasons for building your own mobile app. There is a huge advertisement happening around us. You see different roadside billboards, banners, newspaper ads, flashing signs, coupons, flyers, websites, Facebook ads, emails and much more. The level of impact created by these advertising techniques is not that strong. It will definitely increase your customer base, but the process will be gradual.

On the other hand, the mobile app can make a direct connection with your target customers. It makes them feel like your business is just a fingertip away from them. So, focusing on frequent interaction with your customers can ultimately lead to brand loyalty.

For instance, Starbucks follows a unique star point system in their app. So, whenever a customer visits the outlet, he/she will be rewarded with the stars. In order to earn more reward stars, a customer stays loyal by coming back again. Thus, you get a loyal customer base.

With so many benefits that a mobile app offers your business, it is clear that considering it will definitely turn out to be in your favor. Whatever way you choose, a mobile app is surely going to be a standard element of the business in the future. So, take your call – gear up, walk with the trend and get ready to make your business successful.

[su_highlight background=”#aaf219″]First Guide LLC can help you design and develop interactive, responsive mobile applications can will help skyrocket  your business request a quote here[/su_highlight]

My Last verdict

Still thinking if your business needs a website and a mobile app.

Creating a website and mobile app for your small or midsize business will definitely help you business am not just saying this because i own a software development company, am saying this because it’s the truth.

There are many other benefits that I didn’t mention that your business can benefit from if it has a website or a mobile app. I hope you enjoyed the article and you can get my feedback by leaving a comment below.