If you’re a new business owner, you might be wondering if you need a website. After all, there are plenty of successful businesses out there that don’t have a web presence. But in today’s digital age, having a website is a crucial component of a successful business strategy.

What may be less clear is when you should build and deploy your business website. So, we’re going to talk about when to build a website, why you need one, and any potential reasons to hold off on launching a site.

When Should You Build a Website?

Ideally, you should build a website as soon as possible. Even if your business is still in the planning stages, it’s a good idea to secure a domain name and start building your website. This will allow you to start promoting your business online, even before you’re ready to launch.

Once you’re comfortable with your business’s name and mission, you can get your site out there. At this stage, it can be as simple as a single landing page with a “coming soon” banner. However, throwing in some content, explaining your business, and including an email newsletter signup prompt is even better. These are all things you can include before you’re even ready to open your business. As you’re getting closer to your opening date, you can include more content on your website, allowing it to expand as your business takes shape.

Getting a website up early is especially important for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Moving up in the rankings and building domain authority take time. The sooner your site is online, the longer it has to build trust and authority.

Why Every Business Should Have a Website

There are a few key reasons why every business should have a website. First, a website gives your business credibility and looks professional. Customers are more likely to trust a business that has a professional website, so having one is an easy way to build trust with potential customers.

Websites also make it possible to reach a wider audience. With a website, you can promote your products and services to customers everywhere, not just those in your local area. This can be especially important for small businesses looking to expand their customer base. Applying search engine optimization strategies to your site can make it even more effective at reaching a larger audience.

Having a website also allows you to showcase your products and services in more detail. You can provide detailed information, images, and even videos to help customers make informed decisions about your offerings. You can also take advantage of your website to highlight positive reviews and your best products/services.

A website is also an ideal place to showcase your brand’s personality and ensure that all of your marketing efforts are consistent. By creating a cohesive visual identity and tone of voice, you can build a strong brand image that resonates with your target audience. A clear and strong brand will make your business easier for customers to remember and recognize.

Analytical tools, such as Google Analytics, also make it possible to gain insight into your customer base from your website. You’ll be able to see who is going to your site, how they’re finding it, and what they’re doing on your site. This can give you plenty of helpful information to determine any positive changes you can make to your website, marketing strategies, or even the services and products you offer.

A Few Reasons You Might Want to Hold Off on Launching Your Site

Building a website for your business as soon as you can is almost always the best plan. However, there are a few reasons you might want to hold off on building and launching a website.

The first reason you might want to wait is that websites and domains aren’t free (learn more about “How to buy a domain name and what is DNS” here). At a minimum, you need to pay for a domain name and website hosting. If you’re getting your website professionally built, which is always the best idea, you’ll also need to pay to get that done. If you don’t have the resources to get that done right away, you’ll need to wait until you do have those resources.

Another consideration is that building a website puts more work on your plate. If you’re building the website all on your own, that’s a lot of planning, writing, and just hours of work you’re going to need to put into website making. Hiring professionals to build the website for you will certainly take most of the work off your plate, but you will still need to consult with them and ensure everything is going to plan. If you’re already extremely busy, this could be too much for you.

Finally, websites require a lot of maintenance. Even after the website is built and launched, work will need to go into it to ensure it’s up-to-date and working properly. An optimized website will also need a steady stream of content and assets to make sure it’s ranking in search engines. Maintenance is going to require either extra work in the long term on your part or extra money paid to someone else to cover these tasks.

Set Up Your Website as Soon as You Can

Having a website is essential for pretty much any business these days to be successful, and it’s important to get a website going as soon as possible. However, there are some drawbacks to having a website, especially early on for a new business. Once you have the resources, prioritize building a website or hiring experts like In Context SEO to get the work done for you.

At In Context SEO, we’re creating a series of blogs to provide you with the information you need to help you develop and grow your business. For more insight into creating an online presence, SEO, and all things digital marketing, check out our blog or sign up for our newsletter.

If this is something you need help with for your Business or Organization and are ready to get started – please click the link below to schedule a meeting to discuss!