Customers Expect You to Have a Website

Yes, really!  Well, not all customers expect it and some industries aren't expected to have websites (say, your local fish n chips shop). This may be a bit of a sharp wake up call, however... Most internet-savvy people simply don't trust many business types that don't have a website. If you're a manufacturer, or a store, or a restaurant - its just plain unprofessional not to have a website - consumers expect it. Just like they expect you to have a business card, your own logo and a professional email address that doesn't contain "hotmail", "gmail" or "bigpond".

Customers conciously rate their experience on a website. Customers know when they're looking at a quality site, even if they don't know why.  A good website lends legitimacy and confidence to consumers who are already looking to purchase products and services you are offering - that's why they're looking at your site.

Consider this: a customer is looking to get their patio done.  They don't have any friends who can recommend a builder.  So they go looking for one.  Who do you think they are more likely to contact and give the job to?

• Builder #1 who has a website that tells the customer everything they want to know and takes their call (and maybe even some builder tips about what to look for and what to expect)?
• Builder #2 who is just a phone number or perhaps an advert in the yellow pages? 

More importantly, who would you go with?  It may not be fair or even the smartest approach - but many customers simply don't call businesses anymore - if they don't have a website, why bother? Plenty of businesses do have websites that will offer the consumer enough information and confidence to make a decision...and a purchase.

Most internet-savvy people simply don't trust many business types that don't have a website...Plenty of businesses do have websites that will offer the consumer enough information and confidence to make a decision...and a purchase