Every business, regardless of its size, needs a website. The Entrepreneur Weekly has been highlighting strategies for small businesses to go and grow digitally. This week’s edition is continuing on this digital transformation path. Invest the time and resources necessary to build an online presence that mirrors the quality and credibility of your offline business, and watch your small business thrive in the digital era. Why should you make your website the forefront of your business?
BENEFITS OF HAVING A WEBSITE
Increased Credibility: A professional website legitimises your business and makes you appear trustworthy to potential customers. Having a website is an opportunity to make a great first impression and give people comfort that you’re a real business.
Customer Insights: A website allows you to collect valuable data on customer behaviour and preferences, which can guide your business decisions.
24/7 Availability: Unlike a physical store, a website is open 24/7, providing customers the convenience to browse, shop, or contact you at any time. While you are away, customers can always check your website for information and updates, place orders or even communicate with built-in communication systems, like Chatbots.
Wider Reach: A website allows you to reach a broader audience, breaking the geographical barriers that limit physical stores. Customers can access your business at anytime, anywhere.
GETTING STARTED
Creating a website is a significant step toward achieving long-term success, and it has never been easier or more affordable to get started. Deciding whether to hire a professional web designer or build your own website can be challenging. If you have a sizable budget and prefer not to deal with technical aspects or design details, hiring a professional is a wise investment. A web designer can tailor a website to meet your specific needs, provide ongoing maintenance, and optimise it for search engines.
As Micro, Small and Medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) often face resource limitations, you may not be able to front thousands of dollars to develop a business website, but the good news is that you have options. In this digital day, there is software available to create a cost-effective but efficient website. Here are three options:
WordPress:
- Highly customisable, thousands of plugins, suitable for blogs, ecommerce, and business websites.
- Hosting costs between $3 to $30/month, premium themes and plugins can add an additional cost.
WIX:
- Drag-and-drop builder, automatic mobile optimisation, hundreds of templates.
- Plans range from $14 to $39/month.
Squarespace:
- Sleek, designer-quality templates, ecommerce capabilities, integrated analytics.
- Plans range from $16 to $54/month.
MAKE YOUR WEBSITE WORK FOR YOU!
A website is only as good as you make it. Here are some tips to enhance your website’s capabilities:
- Optimise SEO: Ensure your website is optimised for search engines so that your business can be easily found. Use relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and alt text for images.
- Keep it Current and Engaging: Regularly update your content to keep it fresh. An active blog, news updates, or seasonal promotions can keep visitors coming back.
- Selling Capability: If you’re selling products or services, make the process easy for customers. An integrated shopping cart, secure payment options, and clear calls to action can enhance the user experience.
- Analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to track visitor behaviour and measure your website’s performance. This data can provide insights into what’s working and what needs improvement.
A recent survey conducted by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) revealed that only 27.89% of MSMEs in Jamaica have undertaken the development or updated their website in the last five (5) years. This represents just a small fraction of the sector leveraging the benefits of business websites. Businesses without updated websites may struggle to compete in the increasingly digital playing field.
Supported by the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce (MIIC), the JBDC is driving digital transformation in the MSME sector through the multi-sector Digital Jamaica project. Digital Jamaica aims to increase access to and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to support the country’s transition to a digital economy and society. Follow us on social media and visit our website (https://www.jbdc.net/project/digital-jamaica-digital-transition-programme-for-jamaica/) frequently for announcements of opportunities to learn how to digitally transform your business.
