As a website designer, I’ve observed how and why all businesses need a website. Not just any website but one where website design and SEO strategy occur simultaneously to meet the needs of their business.
Times are changing rapidly and many Australian small businesses are being left behind. While 76% of business owners still believe that word-of-mouth is responsible for driving their new business, “48% of consumers surveyed said they would stop considering buying from a business if it did not have a website.”
“This is found to be an issue, as data from the research suggests 62% of customers will stop considering a small business if they can’t find information about it online. The report found 83% of customers believe using search engines is ‘important’ or ‘very important’ when finding a business, and 47% of customers under the age of 40 report using a search engine to find or research a small business at least once a day.”
– Source: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/technology/seo/small-businesses-websites-seo/
What scares me most is that when Telstra Small Business Intelligence Report researched the marketing strategies of Australian SMEs in 2018. It found that only half small businesses have a website. And, of those with a website, only a quarter consider Search Engine Optimisation as part of their marketing strategy.
Why Website Design and SEO Strategy are both Business Essentials.
I’ve known websites designed so poorly, and badly optimised; that they’re unable to be found in online searches. Even when searched for by site address or URL. If your businesses website can only be found, by knowing and entering the URL, it’s just as bad as not having a website. As quoted research above says, that could loose you UP TO 62% of prospects and customers.
The internet is growing at such a rate that without an adequate SEO strategy, no-one will ever find your website.
Search engines such as Bing, Yahoo! and Google are how most people find websites online. An SEO marketing strategy, which includes onsite and offsite SEO optimisations, improves where the websites appear in the search engine results.
People are not just online looking for entertaining cat videos. Prospects are looking for websites to solve their problems. Websites that provide the relevant information consumers are looking for. Shoppers are researching products online before they purchase. Looking for the websites selling the products to buy. As a parallel; Businesses need those websites that attract, inform, sell and then convert prospects into customers.
Search Engine Optimisation Benefits:
- Build search results to increase traffic (website visits)
- Attract customers
- Build your online presence and secure your GMB listing
- Improve your business reputation
- Grow trust and credibility
- On your website and off-site optimisations
- Increase your sites rankings in search engines
- Focused search terms optimised for the biggest rewards
- with measurable and reportable results.
Contact me now to book a complete strategy session. One which not only considers the best website design for your business. But how to continue drive traffic and customers to your website. So your website can grow your business for you.