These days just about everyone owns a smartphone or a tablet, which means the internet is at its most accessible and businesses need to sit up and take note of this. After-all, with the rise of web-based companies, traditional companies without an online presence have seriously suffered to the extent that many have become obsolete.
Online companies like Spotify are now a must for any music fan with their subscription streaming service and it’s little wonder their revenues hit the $2bn mark last year. Then you have companies like Uber who have revolutionized the way people book and pay for cabs around the world; Delivery Hero, a takeout delivery company with a presence in more than 33 countries around the world, perhaps most notably hungryhouse in the UK; finally there’s also Amazon, a comprehensive marketplace which not only sells just about everything, but also offers same day delivery in certain locations.
We are now a part of a culture that demands convenience. Our lives are much busier as the 9-5 is far less common than it once was and this has led people to reach out to the internet – more specifically certain apps – to complete tasks like shopping, banking, booking transport and ordering food that previously we had a lot more time for. As a consequence, if your business doesn’t feature online at the moment then you’re likely to notice a squeeze as the internet boom continues – particularly if your closest competitors can be found online.
Not convinced yet? Here are five more reasons why your business needs an online presence:
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1: It Offers the Best Company Care
Not every customer is going to be happy with their service and it’s highly likely that, instead of coming to your company, they will complain about you on social media. By having your own social media presence any complaints can be intercepted and turned around with ease. This allows you to turn every customer into a happy one. This is also a great way to build lasting relationships with your customers.
2: Your Business is Always Open
Just because you aren’t in the office doesn’t mean your business isn’t open. When you have a website or an app, consumers can browse, contact and make purchases from your business 24/7 from anywhere in the world. This is especially important when you consider people are most likely to browse the internet early in the morning or late in the evening – times when your offline business would be inaccessible to these potential customers.
3: It Makes It Easy to Show-Off Your Business
A well-built website or app can do wonders for your company. It doesn’t matter if shoes or accounting services, if your website or app is well-made, easy-to-use and professional looking then your product will be shown in the best light and will appeal to potential customers.
4: Easier Marketing
Nobody wants to be cornered by a pushy salesperson in a store, but consumers still want to know what your company offers. Whether it’s a good piece of copy on your website or a sponsored ad on Facebook, online marketing can give potential customers all the information they need, without the need to go through traditional channels. This casual way of marketing is far more appreciated by consumers and makes them far more likely to engage with your company – especially if you also have an app that they can download and purchase products from easily.
5: Give Your Company its Own Identity
Social media and company blogs have made it easy for companies to develop their own identity online. Whether it’s offering up quirky social media posts and campaigns (in the hope of going viral) or developing a blog that will interest your customers, increasing engagement with your potential customers is a great way to create a recognizable online presence and also boost your business.
