As small businesses are shifting focus to the online markets, a website seems to be the most important weapon in their armor. But, Google has turned SEO game on its head with a huge shift of paradigm in its algorithms. SERPs or search engine result pages have become complicated with layers of interfaces that you must ace. Consumers are more likely to search for your business on their smartphones.
Google My Business and Local Directories are affecting customer engagement with local businesses on a direct level. Despite all this, it is still important to have a website for your small local business. If you’re on the fence about having the website or not, read through the factors given below:
Imperative for Local SEO:
No matter how obsolete a local business website may look, it is still the only way to boost local SEO efforts for affirmative results. It can be far more difficult to improve your rankings unless there is a website behind your business. Increasing popularity of mobile searches and voice-based searches has led to this scenario.
Without a website, it is almost impossible to get the desired visibility for your local business. Here, it is worth noting that organic search engine results are the bedrock for maximum clicks even under these circumstances.
Local Link Building is Important:
Without a local link building strategy in place, the online presence of your business may take a hit. Marketers are more focused on local link building than ever before. Links are the currency for the website. They are not only important for SEO but also for meaningful referrals. If you’re running a local business, it makes more professional sense to share a business URL with your sales prospects instead of giving them a Google My Business listing.
For example, if you have a hair salon, a website gives your potential customer direct access to your images, price packages, videos, and products. Without a website, your business will lack the link-earning platform to influence organic rankings in SERPs. This will affect the overall competitive local ranks over time. So, you need a website to build domain authority in your community through effective and authoritative links.
Customers Are Looking For It:
Despite the fact that online users can extract any information from search results, it is a taken that they are still looking around for a local business website. They prefer interacting with local businesses through this platform. If you have still not invested in a well-resourced website, you may be depriving your business of many potential customers.
Better Visibility through Relevant Content:
The local visibility comes from your ability to prove your relevance in the targeted markets. If you are serious about it, you not only need a website for an online presence but also effective content to prove your worth. A proper website with informative, unique, and relevant content makes it easier to embed the links that lead to better visibility of your website.
In recent times, online marketing has changed a lot. A business can estimate the demands and wants of customer through comprehensive keyword research. Instead of content with stuffed keywords, they prefer topical authority on topics that matter to them. It attracts the users to your website and builds your authority for Google to improve your rankings organically.
A Tool for Brand Building:
Irrespective of your niche, it isn’t feasible to make a professional brand image of your business without having a website. This single platform becomes your virtual office, storefront, or a media channel on which you exercise complete control. It helps both B2B and B2C clients to get a feel of your brand building. A website not only depicts your products, services, or contact details, but also showcases your values, authorities, and work culture.
Necessary for Improved Customer Service:
There is no denying the fact that social media has become an effective medium for handling customer services. Yet, this domain is not always practical in handling each request made by a customer. This is where you need a website from where you can control the customer service process. It helps to direct them to a specialized landing page, updated FAQs, or a simple customer service contact form that can be shared through a link.
Google has rolled out many interesting developments to make Google My Business a significant tool for businesses serving in local communities. But, nothing can replace the contentment of using a professional website. It is the building block of local rankings, free leads, and consistent revenues.
So, building a website us now a pertinent need for business owners, especially in their local markets. We at Eastern Alley, can help your business not only establish a strong digital face but also generate revenue from your digital presence. Contact us and we will take you down the digital lane.
