As more and more information appears in search results—from snippets that answer searchers’ questions to maps and how-to videos—it may seem as if the humble business website is just an afterthought. When prospective customers can get directions to your store from opening a map, click to call your business directly from search results, or see your latest promotion on social media, you might be wondering, “What do I need a website for?”
While there are many other ways for prospects and customers to find your business, a website still holds a unique place. Websites continue to be the top marketing channel for small and midsized businesses, according to the Local Search Association (LSA). According to an LSA-sponsored Local Media Tracking Survey, more than seven in 10 U.S. consumers report using a company website in the past month to get local business information.
Going forward, business websites will be just as important—but in order to succeed, your website needs to transform from a static presence into a vital “hub.” That’s the conclusion of Local Data Hub: The Future of SMB Websites by the LSA. Here’s what the report found about why small business websites still matter and what you should do about it.
Small business websites give you control
A website is the only digital asset that your business actually owns. You can make your Google My Business listing or Facebook page as detailed as you want, but if Google or Facebook decide to change how they do things, your efforts could be wiped out. As any small business owner who’s active on social media knows, keeping up with the changing rules and algorithms of various social networking sites is practically a full-time job.
On your website, you have complete control of the content and ownership of the information. As long as you maintain updated registration of your domain name, you don’t have to worry about someone else making changes that will affect how your site looks or what information viewers can see.
One-quarter of consumers reported turning to websites when ready to buy, the highest percentage of the 13 media channels analyzed in the study.
Small business websites have depth of information
While search results, review sites, and social media offer “top-level” data such as your contact information, the hours your business is open, or your address, your website can go much deeper. Surface-level information is important when prospective customers are just deciding which businesses to consider, but for more complex purchases, customers generally need more information. For example, they might want to check your inventory, see testimonials from previous customers, or read about your company history.
The data on your website fuels search engine results. As search engines present users with more and more local information, such as featured snippets or the knowledge panel, remember that most of that information comes from business websites. In other words, even if your customers aren’t directly accessing your site, they’re still benefiting from the content on your website during the search process.