Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your small business doesn’t need a website. It does. Every business does. You may be a mom-and-pop shop or a mom or pop shop, but you still need to market your venture on the Web. The first reason why is because you will not keep up with your competition if you don’t vie for customers in cyberspace. Here are four additional things to consider.
1. Your Demographic Is Millennials
No matter what you sell or what your service is, your demographic is the millennial generation. Millennials make up more of the population, and they are the ones spending money now because they are in their 20s and 30s. They’re the young adults of the world and they’re the ones with the purchasing power. They are setting up their new homes and their adult lives, but that’s not the only reason this generation holds all the money.
Millennials influence the purchasing decisions of their elders. With technology becoming more and more complex, parents and grandparents turn to millennials for advice when it comes to buying just about anything. It doesn’t hurt that the parents of this younger generation raised their children to be their “friends,” and the tables have turned. Instead of the children going to the parents for help in making decisions, the parents look to their youth.
2. Millennials Research Before They Buy
Millennials have brought about a new wave of conscientious shopping and businesses must establish an attractive brand. Before walking into any commercial or industrial space, Millennials will research a company fully to see if they desire to solicit it. They want to know what you do, how you do it, and how your business benefits society, and you have to get that message across. They also want to know what others think of your business.
3. Millennials Research Online
How this generation gathers this information is online, which is why your small business must have a website. They will look you up on whichever search engine they use to find as much information as they can about you, including how your company is rated on the popular review websites. They look for small business websites, even if your business is teensy. They are not going to pick up the phone and call you or stop by your shop. They want to get to know you online.
4. Social Media Isn’t Enough
You might think that social media is enough, but it isn’t. Yes, Millennials will expect you to have a social media presence, as this presence is crucial to them, but you need a website as well. Generation X and Baby Boomers are more comfortable with websites than social media, as Gen X, in particular, remembers the beginning of the Information Superhighway. Having your own website gives you a sense of legitimacy to those still wary of the popular social media platforms.
When it comes to building your small business, one of the primary tools in your arsenal should be your online presence. Small businesses need websites, as this brings them to the masses. Get your business name out in cyberspace by building a website for your company. You’ll find you reach more Millennials and their parents this way.