In his recent column for U.S. News and World Report, titled "Business Websites: Do You Really Need One?" reporter Matt Bandyk poses a great question: Do small businesses really need a web site?
Matt notes that his research shows only about 40% of all small businesses have a web site, so there is plenty of room for growth in the market. But, he also poses (and answers) the question regarding the utility of having such a site.
As we move toward "all online, all the time" more and more consumers - as well as business managers - are performing basic web searches for businesses, organizations, services, etc. If your name, or your company's name doesn't pop up in Google, or in an online directory of some kind...how do they know you exist?
If a prospective employer performs a Google search on 3 promising candidates, who may get the "psychological nod" - the candidate with even a brief couple of links...or the two others with no mention at all?
Of course, the final hiring decision will come down to many factors, but having even a simple online presence could tip the scales slightly in your favor.
For solo-preneurs, a basic web site or blog becomes a form of both business card and billboard. It allows your prospective clients to learn more about you before you meet - something we all like to do as consumers. It gives us a positive feeling to be able to learn something about a potential vendor before we meet face to face. (You should of course do the same before meeting with a potential client)
This is one of the driving factors behind the development of my "boxes" approach to web site development. By using simple cost-effective online tools, I can help a small business, solo-preneur, job seeker, or employed professional quickly create a cohesive web presence - for a very reasonable cost. I teach you to use the tools effectively, and you can control the message that you are sending out to the world.
So, in answer to Matt's question - a resounding "yes!" Your small business does need a web site :-)
