Why you still need a website in 2023

 

In 2019, 70% – 80% of people were researching companies online before deciding or making a purchase. Since the pandemic more and more businesses have moved fully online, and in 2023 having your own website has become crucial to long-term success for your business.

Regarding e-commerce and the way the world has been moving over the last 3 years, here are some statistics:

• The market size of online shopping is estimated to touch 4 trillion this year.
• The world has nearly 1.92 billion online buyers (as of 2019).
• The US alone has as many as 69% of online shoppers.
• The world has as many as 12-24 million online or ecommerce stores today.
• An average ecommerce site earns nearly $330,000 in monthly revenue by the end of 12 months in business.
• 61% of online shoppers go for fashion products.
• 72% of women shop online as compared to 68% of men.
• In 2019, retail ecommerce sales throughout the world amounted to $3.53 trillion.
• By 2040, over 95% of all purchases will be made online.

If that was’nt enough reasons why you should have a website for your business, here are a few more:

1. Having a website makes you look professional and increases trust.

Most people don’t trust a business without a good website.

A clean, responsive and modern website that is regularly updated and appears in search engine results gives your credibility an instant  boost.

New and potential customers will trust you more and they will have all the information they were searching for in one place. In the digital age, we expect businesses to have a web presence. Even the smallest local business needs a website.

2. A business website will bring you more customers and increase conversions.

Well-optimized websites can appear on the first page of a Google search attracting new customers that weren’t exactly looking or you, but were just researching a specific topic and your website came up.

There’s a much bigger chance of someone ‘stumbling upon’ your website than the same thing happening with your social media profile. Also, its an opportunity for the customer to directly compare you and what any competing business has too offer.

3. Creating a professional website is less expensive than you expect.

If you believe that to create a stunning website, you need to be a tech-savvy expert of web design, your are mistaken. In 2023 there are platforms like Strikingly where you can do it all yourself. Read more about creating an online store here.

At Starfish Designs we offer special rates for small businesses and startups. Contact us for a free quotation.

4. A website gives you full control over the medium.

If you really want to stand out above your competition, having your own website is the answer.

The absolute design freedom a website gives you is an opportunity to present your brand in a unique way to showcase your voice and personality.

The control over your images and videos on a webpage isn’t only about the graphics and layout. You decide what gets published, so if you have any cool online reviews, customer testimonials, videos, etc. they can all have their own space on your site.

If you are a creative and you have a photo gallery or a portfolio, this is also a chance to display it in a creative way. You can redesign and change anything on a website any time you want.

5. Your Website is the centre of all your marketing efforts.

While social media platforms in 2023 offer the ability to make purchases, the general public has not yet bought into this concept and prefer making their purchases via a website that is set up for this purpose.

Social media and search engines direct traffic to your website since that is where you want your customer to spend most of their time, and so your marketing efforts all point to your website as the finish line.