A web site is a collection of web pages about related content, located under a single domain name and published on at least one web server by a single person or organization. It can consist of a few static pages or several applications running at the same time.
The Internet is a great equalizer, where a small company can have a well-made and organized website with fresh content as much as a much larger organization. In this way, those who visit the company’s website can deliver its message, its brand, and information about its products and services at no less of an advantage than larger companies. Let’s point out two such best uses of the website that can be critical for small business owners.
Anyone could argue that in this day and age, websites, unless they are e-commerce sites, don’t sell. In a certain way, that may be a true statement, but also very misleading. In most cases, when a business is not selling through its website, it can take advantage of three specific things:
Legitimize your business
WEB pages can help reassure consumers or buyers about the credibility of the company, the product, the services and the existence of the business. It is true that any business can have a website, but if it doesn't, as regular consumers, we start to wonder if the business is legitimate or if there is something irregular about it. What is it hiding if it is not on the Internet? Showing up in a quick Google search can help potential consumers, buyers or regulators find the information they need to know about the company. If they don't find it, they will most likely keep looking for a next option, leaving you with less chances to close a deal.
Offer a Tool for an Indirect Selling
Companies are not always in the business of selling a product or service on the Internet, but they are always in need of talented employees. Make sure those potential employees can select your company, check out what the company does, the history of the company. The updated social media gives them a good preview of the type of company they would be working for, if they signed up to a position there. So, even the company may not be "selling" to consumers, prospective employees are consumers of information about it, to decide if they want to work for your organization. Show them the best information you can.
Automate Tasks:
Even if a small business website does not offer an e-commerce option, certain tasks can be automated and thus help with sales. Some of those potential automations include customer requests for "demos", setting appointments or callback requests. As websites allow us to capture information from potential customers, they also allow those consumers to have their quickly on-demand fulfillment of their needs. Any consumer who can do that on the website, PC or phone is "solving" that call, appointment or demo and then it is up to the company to be the first to respond to them and translate that request into a potential sale.


In a world where 97% of consumers look up information online, not showing up on a search tends to make consumers think that it is suspicious they could not find information. So even if your website is not setup for sales, your company does not have to lose a potential sale or attracting an employee over legitimacy issues or lack of information for the web visitor.
However, and more importantly, when your small business has a website, make the most of the web and use the technology to serve your potential customers on demand. Offer calls to actions, such as options to make an appointment, contact a sales representative, watch or download a demo, request a quote or sign up for future notices.
The time of a business owner is limited and using every tool available is important. A website should be one of those tools in your arsenal when it comes to make your business a success.