A good website is a must in today’s business world

A few years back, it was in order to start a business by registering at the Attorney General chambers, getting a PIN certificate, a license from the local authority and then opening a bank account.

Today, that’s not good enough. You need to have an online presence.

A website is an electronic location where someone with Internet can access you from. A website will tell people about your business, what you do and how you can be reached.

Over time, businesses have developed the interface on their websites and now clients can give feedback, make orders and enquiries. It’s like having a permanent advert on the Web, only with interface facilities.

It is important for your business to have an up-to-standard website. Beyond having the website, you might choose to include search engine-optimisation so that each time someone looks for an item of interest to the business in a given search engine, the business name comes first in the list.

Further, the more interactive the website, the better it is for the client and the more the visits.

Your website should be easy and fun to use. If your 17-year-old son does not enjoy using your website, maybe you need to revise it. But it is not how many pictures or videos the website has that makes it popular. Rather, it is about relevance, ease of use and functionality. Aesthetics too matter.

So how does a website help your business?

Imagine you sell chicken in Nairobi and there is a new investor owning a restaurant in Gigiri. He goes to Google, searches for a chicken seller in Nairobi and he doesn’t find you anywhere in his list but your competitors are all over the Internet. Whom do you think he will buy from?

A website will help you be noticed online. Further, some of the lenders you go to always go online to check out your business. You want to create a serious impression online.

More importantly, a website will give the current clients a sense of confidence that you are a serious supplier.

When all they have is a flyer, the feeling is quite different. The serious business profile will make you win bigger orders, long term agreements and even better rates.

If ever you want to do business with international clients, the first impression they get is that of your website. You thus want it up and talking good about you.

Also if your business is to be relevant to young people, you must reach them where they are and make yourself seen. Your website will help you do that.

However, it will not be enough to have a website. Create a Facebook page, a Twitter handle and LinkedIn profile. Further, connect your website to the social network profiles.