How to make a website pay for its self?
How to make a website pay for its self?
The question you should really be asking yourself is... Can you afford NOT to have a website? There are SO many ways to answer this question. A website these days is an essential tool to increase business. Even if you are a small business, wouldn't you like a bigger piece of the market that your major competitors are getting? Why limit yourself, when you can achieve respect by placing your business on the same level as those who have already established recognition in your field.
I'm all about creating new jobs locally, but let's face it... small businesses often cannot afford to employ a whole team of staff. A website can assist like an "employee" for your business that can replace many of your other expenses, which will surely increase your profits! I compiled this list of ways to make your website pay for itself in a very short amount of time. This ensures that your website will become worth your investment every day.
1. Your website can be your most RELIABLE and CHEAPEST employee you will ever have! A website is available to your customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! A website can't take extended breaks, doesn't need health insurance or liability, it won't take sick leave or in the worst case scenario... steal from you!
2. Your website can replace or lighten the duties of a receptionist, by allowing customers to make an appointment or meeting online.
3. Your website can lighten the workload of a manager by offering job applications online. Submissions can be directly emailed to you instantly.
4. Your website can bypass a multitude of customer service issues by answering most asked questions on a Frequently Asked Questions page. It can display the best contact information to reach those who can assist them with the assistance they are looking for. By turning your website into a self-serve resource, it saves hours of time and provides a huge boost in customer satisfaction.
5. Your website can eliminate the need for sales associates if you can sustain your business entirely online. By providing products and services online your overhead costs are considerably lower. Lower prices equals increased profits. That's a no-brainer!
6. Your website can place your business side-by-side with your competitors online, so you can be on the same level as they are, giving you the extra edge you need to succeed.
7. Now days, customers are more likely to Google a business than to turn to a huge phone book. If you are online, is there really any need to pay for a listing in the Yellowpages? Probably not.
8. Promoting yourself on a Facebook Fan page or other local online classifieds reduces the need to advertise in radio or print ads. By reaching an audience that isn't already saturated by your ads, you will gain a new type of customer, and we all know that gaining a new customer is more difficult than selling to an existing customer.
9. Did you know that there's a large number of online customers with accessibility needs? People who are elderly or homebound, appreciate ordering items online. Often times they are looking for businesses that can make their lives easier.
10. Have you ever tried to talk to someone who doesn't speak your language? It can be very challenging for both the business owner and the customer. When an online consumer visits your website your store is translated automatically, so you don't have to have someone on staff for every language imaginable. That would not be feasible anyway.
11. If you have a website you can offer visitors to subscribe to a newsletter. By collecting email addresses you can connect with your customers by email as often as you want, to keep them updated on sales and promotions. If your customer leaves your "brick and mortar store" you might not ever see them again.
12. If you have a business that can offer a membership to relevant products or services you can earn years of income from satisfied customers. Online memberships are excellent impulse sales. Customers who are out running errands are often rushed and decline such offers.
13. I offer an online shopping cart plan that eliminates bounced checks and decreases the need for customers calling to inquire about their order status. My shopping cart service can track inventory, sends automatic customized emails, prints invoices, tracks order status, coupons and discounts, has social sharing tools, multi-language, multi-currency and even saves favorite products. You can also configure shipping, payment and tax settings.
14. A satisfied online customer is more likely to share / retweet / your product or service with their friends and family. By having a "good social presence" you can multiply your customer base with little to no money.
15. An online store allows you to sell products that aren't in your inventory. You can order only the products that have sold and then have them shipped directly to your customer. Many times you can even have products drop-shipped by your supplier.
16. Digital products (such as an ebook, music, photography, patterns, audio or video) or a digital service (such as tickets, memberships, service plans or consulting services) can be paid for and downloaded by your customer and you’re done. Products are automatically sent to your customer free of charge through an email. Talk about easy money!
17. Advertising current deals and promotions online boosts foot traffic to your location. For example, if you own a restaurant you can display daily specials online, which will decrease calls asking about daily specials, and increases calls for reservations instead.
18. If you have a business that receives payments for various services, you might want to consider offering online payments for convenience. For example, if your business is an apartment complex you could list community features, unit amenities and rental rates.
Well, there you have it! The many ways a website can pay for itself, and turn into profits before you know it!
