Sunday, October 11, 2015

The importance of a good website


Did you know that surveys have found between 50 – 60% of businesses do not have their own website (this is apart from a basic entry on a local shopping website, or websites like TrueLocal).

The importance of a good website

The 2 things you need to stay in business are to attract new customers and keep them coming back.

(a)   How do you attract new customers?

Apart from hanging your ‘shingle’ outside your premises, advertising what you do or sell for people walking past your door, the best way to connect with new customers is through digital marketing and social networks. I am talking about websites and Facebook.

How does that help? The busy person on the go wants to find a local business for a service or to buy something. It may be a cup of coffee, a birthday gift or financial advice. Almost anything. What’s that person going to do? He/she is going to Google “Coffee in Burwood” or “Giftshop in Camberwell”. If your business doesn’t have a website, there will be a half dozen other businesses in the locality that do, and those are the ones the customer will go to.

Did you know that within the Boroondara area there are approx. 65,000 homes? Based on average home turnover[1], that’s approx. 90 families coming into the area every week – maybe 200 individuals every week – and you want to attract them to your business as a new customer.

(b)   Why is a website important?

As you can see, a new customer will connect with your business via a website. Your website can not only show what products you sell but any other services you provide, hours of opening and phone number, an email link for enquiries and much more. It can also be extended to include links to your business Facebook page, or to other social media for your business such as Twitter etc. People on the go, using mobile and tablet devices, may be looking for a meal, so they want to see a Menu. The possibilities to inform potential customers about what you do are endless.

And why can’t this be achieved with a free entry on a local shopping website or TrueLocal? For one thing, I have rarely seen an entry in one of those websites that is up to date, and certainly none of them have the eye-catching appeal and information necessary to drive new customers to your business.

And the good news is that websites can be designed and built from only $395. It’s not like the old days when you had to fork out ‘000 of $$$. The most comprehensive websites that are ‘responsive’ to mobile and tablet devices, with shopping cart compatibility, can cost as little as $995.

‘Responsive Websites’ really are at the cutting edge of website design. Previously, websites were made to fit a standard size screen – a PC or laptop. But since the explosion of mobile and tablet devices, consumers are more likely than ever to go online without ever using a PC or laptop, and with the huge amount of devices, all with varying dimensions, how do you ensure your website looks amazing on all of them?

‘Responsive Websites’, as the name suggests, “respond” to the device they are being viewed on, and change their dimensions to give the best browsing experience possible, keeping your website looking amazing at every size, including on mobiles and tablet devices.

You also can update your own website easily without needing programming skills using a CMS (Content Management System) that is included with all websites for free. The CMS allows you to update a whole page, part of a page or add text and photos within minutes. Your changes go live instantly, and it costs nothing extra to do so.

(c)   How do you retain existing customers?

Once we have a customer, how do we get them to come back? Apart from the obvious areas such as top quality service, brand loyalty and reputation, a great user experience and so forth, there are also ways of using social media to keep customers informed about what is happening in your business that is new and of interest to them.

Social media marketing is the best and easiest way to promote your business. Today, everyone likes to use different social media like Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, LinkedIn and Twitter etc. These are the ideal sites for social media marketing that not only offer a quick way to reach an audience but also enhance your business sales.

Facebook is your business ‘story’ – what you are doing, your latest projects, maybe a current sales promotion and more. You can connect directly with existing customers that are ‘following’ you on Facebook to deliver the latest promotions or service deals immediately they are available. And this helps to build brand loyalty so that customers keep coming back.

Social media is one of the easiest ways to connect with your customers, and the best thing about it is that it can be setup for free and linked to your website easily. Websites achieve this with a Facebook icon and link to your Facebook page, normally on your Home page.

(d)   In conclusion?

Go ahead and Google your business and see what is returned in the search results. Then compare the results for your business directory entry on TrueLocal or Yellow Pages etc., to the results of your local competition that does have an amazing website. Once you see the differences, the time for action is NOW!

If you don’t have a website, contact me today for some great rebates on developing a website for your business, using a national website design company based here in Melbourne, and start to see the benefits immediately.

My services are provided on a voluntary basis as part of the Business Boroondara Network, free of charge, and with no obligation.




[1] Annual Housing turnover, on average, is around 7 per cent of the housing stock – RBA Bulletin June quarter 2010

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Website statistics for small business


Important Small Business Website Statistics

Having an effective website is becoming essential for almost every small business.

The below statistics demonstrate that a large percentage of small business owners may still not realise the importance of investing in a website. The following stats demonstrate the latest trends for small business websites:

  1. More than half (52%) of small business owners do not have a website  (Source:     http://searchengineland.com/8-tips-for-planning-your-small-business-2014-marketing-strategy-179004)
  2. Cost concerns and the perception that their ‘business didn’t need a website’ are the most common reasons why small businesses don’t have a website. (Source:  http://www.statisticbrain.com/small-business-website-statistics/)
  3. 81% of consumers research a product online before buying (Source: http://www.retailingtoday.com/article/study-81-research-online-making-big-purchases)
  4. 88% of consumers who search for a type of local business on a mobile device call or go to that business within 24 hours. (Source: http://www.yola.com/blog/17-small-business-marketing-statistics-that-will-help-you-succeed-online/)
  5. 93.3% of small business websites are not mobile compatible and will not render successfully on mobile devices or smartphones. (Source: http://www.biakelsey.com/company/press-releases/120416-Less-Than-20-Percent-of-SMB-Websites-Link-to-Social-Presence,-According-to-SMB-DigitalScape.asp
  6. 74.7 % of small business websites lack an email link on their home page for consumers to contact the business (Source: http://www.biakelsey.com/company/press-releases/120416-Less-Than-20-Percent-of-SMB-Websites-Link-to-Social-Presence,-According-to-SMB-DigitalScape.asp)
  7. 60% of small business websites don’t have their phone number on their site. (Source: http://www.biakelsey.com/company/press-releases/120416-Less-Than-20-Percent-of-SMB-Websites-Link-to-Social-Presence,-According-to-SMB-DigitalScape.asp)
  8. Most small business owners see their website as only providing general information (80%) and customer service (45%). (Source: http://www.statisticbrain.com/small-business-website-statistics/)
  9. 67% of businesses are using their website to market to their customers. (Source:  http://about.att.com/mediakit/2013techpoll)
  10. A small percentage of business owners want more sophisticated functionality on their website like; capturing leads (35%), selling online (30%) or scheduling appointments (15%) (Source: http://www.statisticbrain.com/small-business-website-statistics/)
  11. WordPress is currently the most widely used CMS with 60.7% of the market share. (Source: http://w3techs.com/technologies/overview/contentmanagement/all)

Friday, August 7, 2015

Business Boroondara Network information


Business Boroondara Network was established in 1999 and is now over fifteen years old and membership totals over 1200 with many different business types represented. Click on the link below and follow the link on the left - ‘Become a Member’ - to join; membership is free.


 
Networking nights are held on the first Tuesday of the month (6-7pm) at the Blackwood Room, 8 Inglesby Road, Camberwell, to meet and connect with other local businesses. Danika Benison (Economic Development Officer (Events and Programs) is happy for you to email her at

danika.benison@boroondara.vic.gov.au if you have any questions.

 
The types of businesses represented within the network are extremely diverse and interesting and many members have gone on to establish valuable business relationships with other members of the network.

Networking is a great way to establish links with other local businesses who can offer skills, goods and services to support the sustainability and growth of your business.

 
The Business Boroondara Network aims to encourage growth, development and success of small and micro business by:

  • Providing networking opportunities and social interaction
  • Providing information and resources to support your business
  • Providing access to training and mentoring
  • Raising the profile of businesses in the City of Boroondara

If you run a small business, whether you are home based or in commercial premises, then the Business Boroondara Network can help you.

Network Benefits include:

  • Monthly networking meetings
  • Regular events with guest speakers on topics of special interest
  • Sub networks focusing on specific activities designed for sectoral interest groups
  • Regular social functions providing an informal opportunity to network
  • Training Seminars directed towards issues of interest to small business, taught by business people with expertise in the subject.

Website rebates for design and development


Website rebates
There are considerable advantages having a good website to attract customers, and there is a national website design company, based in Melbourne, that will help you achieve that.

They will come out and discuss your requirements, completely free of charge. They will also host your website and provide you with a ‘content management system’ for easy updates and free 24/7 support by phone and email.

All you have to do is provide them with the content you want uploaded on your website.

The company is called Havealook Websites (http://www.havealook.com.au/pricing.html) and they develop websites from as little as $495. To get a 20% rebate off these prices (excluding hosting), you need to let me know first so I can make a referral to HaveaLook on your behalf.
 
Call me now to arrange for them to make an appointment to see you.

David Haigh
0412 550 020

About me

I provide advice to small business owners on technology, marketing and business planning. As part of my approach I partner with experts in all areas of small business including website design, social media and business strategies.

I have recently retired after 30 years consulting for corporate clients such as NAB, AXA, BHP, IOOF and AustralianSuper. My experience covers website design, social media and business strategies. I am now focussed on providing consulting services to small business.