4 ways a website helps your service-based business
In part, this ties into the age-old question of, “Do I really need a website?”
There are so many trends that seem far more effective, like TikTok and Reels, to increase exposure. While I don’t doubt they can be powerful tools in marketing, I don’t believe it should be your sole marketing strategy as trends and social platforms come and go.
Websites, on the other hand, are consistent and a brilliant long-term strategy.
Without further ado, let’s jump into the 4 ways a website can help your service-based business.
1. Online Presence
2. Build Credibility
3. Increase Exposure (AKA: find clients)
4. Time Flexibility
1. Online Presence
Your website is always working… even when you don’t.
Websites work on autopilot 24/7 so even outside your business hours, your website (if done well) will continue to move the needle in your business.
What does that specifically mean for you? It means that while you’re sleeping or on holidays, your website will continue to:
Reach new clients globally
Exchange information to your potential clients
(eg. answer their questions such as; what you do, who for, why they should work with you, how to work with you or where to find you on social media).Convert and land those new global clients while you sleep.
Your website helps to expand your online presence, making it a lot easier to scale your business in the long-run.
2. Build Credibility
An online presence builds business credibility and reputation.
When you look for a photographer, a copywriter, virtual assistant, or literally ANY business, what do you look for first?
An online presence to ensure they’re reputable.
You do this by looking for proof, for evidence that they’re legit.
For me personally, I research, research and research some more (just call me Sherlock Holmes).
Most people will look for at least these 3 things before deciding whether or not they’ll give you their business:
Evidence - your portfolio + reviews, location / contact information
Services - what’s included, what’s the process and…
Prices - how much can they expect to invest in your business?
Also a bonus if you have a good vibe!
At the end of the day, a website has a lot more flexibility in terms of design, processes and technology compared to many of the social media platforms out there.
In fact, if you don’t have a website, you could be losing out on a lot of potential business!
A good website will make your client feel like they are in the right place.
If your website is good quality, easy to use and clearly demonstrates that you understand your client, the fact is, your client will feel more comfortable hiring you.
Added to that, they’ll expect to have a positive experience.
A positive experience for your client will mean more client referrals to you!
Don’t you just love how an online presence leads to building trust, which in turn leads to our next point: more clients?!
3. Increase Exposure (AKA: find clients)
Your website isn’t limited by location or business hours.
By now, we have established that your website is active 24/7 on a global scale. This means that quite literally, the world is your oyster when it comes to finding clients. You’re no longer restricted by border barriers or official business hours.
Your website can do so much for you even after you ‘clock-off’ for the day.
Such as:
Bring in new leads
Answer potential clients’ questions
Get clients to book a discovery call
Grow your mailing list
+ so much more!
Advertising your website on a global-level, requires keyword research and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) to bring in new leads to your business.
Put verrryyyy simply, if you incorporate those researched keywords throughout your website, this will help Google bring new leads to your website and services.
Google loves new content. The more regular content you can put on your website, the better for your ranking on Google and gaining new clients (eg. blogging or free downloads etc are a great strategy for SEO).
Please keep in mind that SEO doesn’t happen overnight. It is a long-term strategy but does help generate new leads and clients over time.
Remember too, that your online presence builds trust, which increases your likelihood of being hired and gaining new referrals!
4. Time Flexibility
Websites are like a member of the customer-service team.
Have you ever received a bunch of DMs on social media or numerous emails asking the same questions on repeat?
It can be so time consuming (and let’s be honest, frustrating!) having to respond to each enquiry, answering the same questions over and over again - particularly for all my fellow solopreneurs that don’t have a team to delegate tasks to.
This becomes costly to your business as it takes up a lot of time, giving you less time to focus on the areas that *actually* make money.
If this is you and you DON’T have a website, it’s time you get one.
If this is you and you ALREADY have a website, it’s time for a FAQ page / section (or at least update your existing one to include these new frequent questions).
Websites are there to provide more information, such as:
Answer the frequently asked questions
Tell your clients where to go or what to do next
How to work with you
What they can expect when working with you
Prices including ongoing fees they might not be aware of
Already this provides your clients with an instant response, saving you both time and encourages positive client-relations.
Websites can also act like an assistant.
You’ll see on my own website that I have integrated Acuity (Squarespace) Scheduling.
This allows clients to book their discovery call and fill out a questionnaire with the relevant information I need for the call directly through my website.
Even better, I connected Acuity with my Zoom account to automatically create a meeting link and email to the client in their confirmation email. Acuity then sends reminders of the upcoming appointment to reduce no-shows.
Already you can see how this saves myself and my client time in trying to coordinate a time, manually creating a meeting / then manually emailing the link, and we are both prepared for the meeting in advance.
This is, of course, just one example.
You can use your website to:
Build your email list
Grow your social media followings
Integrate your podcast / YouTube channels
Create passive income (make money while you sleep via courses, templates etc)
In Summary:
Websites are powerful, modern tools that help to bring in new leads and convert clients. They save you a lot of time and establish credibility with an online presence.
Just keep in mind that the magic doesn’t happen overnight. The clients won’t come flocking straight away.
It’s a long-term strategy that takes time but so so worth it!
Ready to grow?
Book your complimentary discovery call today
What is your favourite website feature for your business?
Let us know in the comments!