If you run a small business and are still wondering whether or not a website benefits you, the answer is yes. There are a wide range of benefits to having a website, even if you don’t sell products or services online. It acts as a free advertising tool, helps get you more visitors, gives you a platform for showing informative blog posts or having contact information, and getting sales if this is related to your business. Here are the most important aspects and benefits to having your own website.

Cheap Advertising

First of all, you get cheap or free advertising with your website. It can get you more visitors in different ways. For one thing, you can utilize advertising campaigns, like AdWords by Google or other campaigns, in order to get more visitors. You can also have content with search engine optimization (SEO) that lets search engines crawl your site, in order to show up in search engine results. Once the site is up and running, it costs very minimal money for upkeep.

Various Revenue Streams

Another benefit to having your own website is the ability to have multiple revenue streams. Not only can you can products or services from your website and advertise the services you provide local customers, but you can also earn revenue from other sources. This might be selling other products, becoming an affiliate, selling your own written eBooks relating to the genre or industry your business is in, or even earning some revenue by having others advertise on your website.

Online Portfolio

If you are trying to show the work you have done, whether you are a writer, editor, artist or photographer, the website is the best way to do this. You can create an online portfolio through your website to show interested parties, sell your works of art and provide a sample for prospective customers or clients. For many businesses, such as photography, they want good samples of your work before giving you a chance.

Easy Contact Information

Even if you have your number and address in the phone book, the majority of people looking for a local business is going to do a quick search online. If you have a website, you can include local information and data, and also give all of your contact information. List your business phone number, fax number, email address and physical address, and potential customers or clients have everything they need.

Provide Information to Potential Customers

Other types of businesses have vital information they can give potential customers, which will help them decide if this is the business they will go with. For example, if you are a contractor, your customers might want to know exactly what type of projects you offer. You can have a “Services” page where you list exactly what services you provide, such as framework, electrical work, drywall, carpet and flooring installing, residential and commercial contracting work.

With a website, you have the opportunity to advertise your business and draw in potential customers that are doing local searches online.