Blog

 

This is a question that many small business owners have asked themselves time and again.  While the answer is almost always yes, it is important to realize that not everyone uses a website for the same thing.  Most use a website with advertising as the primary objective, while some businesses simply use it as a tool to communicate with customers.  Let’s look at these fictional scenarios together:

 

Carl’s Auto Diner was founded as a small auto repair shop that slowly evolved into a diner with each customer request for a vending machine, then coffee, then stools, and eventually sandwhiches.

Carl has maxed out all of the space he has for his diner.  Customer tables filled the area where he once glided uver oil spots on a mechanic creeper, and spatchulas had replaced socket wrenches as tools of the trade. 

At this point Carl is afraid that if he has a website his business will grow larger than he can handle, does Carl need a website?

 

Carl does not need a website to advertise his business unless he develops a plan foir expansion.

Carl could use a website as an informational tool for his customers.  He can easily communicate weekly and holiday hours to customers, weekly or monthly specials, and meu changes.  An online menu could also help customers know what they want to order before they arrive.

 

Mary’s Cupcake Shoppe is a small business on a street that doesn’t garner much traffic, however this is not a problem for Mary because she has a website that get’s plenty of attention thanks to great critics reviews, and business directory listings that link back to her website.

Mary also has a great group of repeat cusomers that spread the word about her business, and potential customers are able to view Mary’s unique cupcake designs on her website before stepping foot in her shop.  

Mary needs a website because she is a small business without little to no advertising budget, however she makes a quality product and the most efficient way to get the word out is to give her custoemrs an easy way to communicate her message. Having her own website allows her to have some control of the message and images being shared about her company, and this great image marketing technique would not have been available to Mary with word of mouth alone, remember “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

If you have been struggling with the question of getting a website for your church, here are 5 reasons to make the digital jump. 

1. People are looking for your church and they are not driving through your neighborhood looking for the sign out front, they are going straight to Google or their favorite search engine.

 

2. It is the most inexpenseive advertising you can find anywhere.  You can link back to your church website on dozens or even hundreds of church finder websites, combined with your search result listing you can reach more people for less money than any other form of advertising.

 

3. Tell people what you are about and what you believe.  People want to know what you believe before they walk through your doors. A website is your way to answer many questions people may have about your church, thus increasing likely visitors.

 

4. Organize your congregation using a website calendar for events, and posting details of events that people can reference. Everyone knows what is happening and when.

 

5. Connect with your congregation and potential guests by posting sermons, pictures and video that people can discuss and share amongst each other and with friends that you may never have reached otherwise. Media on your church website is one of the best ways to help your congregation with their word of mouth advertising.

 

 

N8 Creates specializes in church and youth ministry websites that appeal to all ages.  Nate has been involved in youth and media ministry for over 10 years and has a desire to share the Gospel message as far and wide as possible, while presented in the best possible fashion.

 

If you are interested in a new, modern, responsive website, contact Nate today!

Gone are the days of loading a huge website and having to zoom in and out to find what you’re looking for.

 

Responsive web design also takes into account the user interaction and makes your site easier to use by noticing and enabling things like touch screens for navigation.

 

 

The Numbers Game

 

Looking good on smartphones is critical for your businesses or non-profit.

 

94% of smartphone users look for local information on their phone and

84% take action as a result, such as making a purchase or contacting the business.

77% of users have researched a product or service on their device, and 46% of smartphone users have made a purchase on their phone

67% of people start shopping on one device and continue to another

67% more likely to buy a product or use a service on a website where they had a positive mobile experience.

65% of sequential shopping occasions are started on a smartphone

34% of people turn to the screen that’s closest when looking for information.

 

What does this mean for businesses? If you don’t offer your users or potential customers a good experience on the device of their choice, you may lose visitors or customers. On the other hand, if you make sure that the experience they will have on the various devices is good, you are more likely to retain them as visitors and later convert them to customers.

 

 

Your Website Will Adapt to any Screen Size

 

 

The major benefit of a responsive design is that the size of the webpage is determined by screen size, not device. This means that no matter what size screen someone is viewing your website on, it will display properly for that screen size.

 

 

Future Proof

 

In the future, as new devices (TVs, watches, glasses, etc.) are browsing around the internet, your responsive site will still look beautiful.