Why must your business have a website? Here are a few reasons:

Visibility - A website allows existing and potential customers to access your business 24/7. There are an estimated 729 million people online around the world, 287.5 million of these users are English speaking and many of them are looking for your products and services. With a website, you open yourself up to a world of opportunity in reaching people who might not otherwise find you.

Professional Credibility - A website is no longer a "nice to have" extension of your business identity, it has come to be expected. Even an established, profitable company without a website will lose potential customer's confidence. A well designed site has a powerful impact and will increase the perception of reliability. Thorough planning, an original professional design, well-written copy, product and company information, and easily accessible contact information can tremendously increase trust in your business.

Encourage Referrals - Referrals are a crucial source of new customers for any businesses. The accessibility of a website makes it easy for people to refer potential customers to you. Website addresses are easy to remember and giving people multiple ways of contacting you makes it more likely that they will do so.

Advertising Value - Adding your website address to all your advertisements, business cards, and company literature is a great way to increase the value of your advertising. A website gives people an easy way to contact you whenever they hear or see an ad for your company. Going to a website is easier than trying to find a store or making a phone call. Customers get the information they are looking for at their convenience without feeling pressured.

Sales - A website is a powerful sales tool. Customers don't feel as pressured to listen to a sales pitch. They can go to your site, find exactly what they are looking for and buy it without trying to avoid a pushy salesperson. An online storefront costs a fraction of a brick and mortar store and can reach an enormous amount of people. Even if you can't sell your services directly over the Internet, a website is still a powerful asset that acts as a primer to convince visitors of why they need your services.

Direct Marketing - A website helps you stay in contact with existing and potential customers. It allows you to stay in contact with people who may be interested in what you have to offer, but might not be ready to buy at that moment. You can use your website to collect their email addresses and periodically send out promotional emails or a newsletter, keeping your products and services readily available.