I might be biased, but it’s hard to imagine a reason for any company of any size not to have a website.
As a multi-year member of BNI (Business Network International), when you think about BNI’s VCP (Visibility/Credibility/Profitability) process, having a website is a no-brainer. If you are unfamiliar, the key concept in BNI’s referral marketing is relationships. Referral marketing works because these relationships work both ways: They benefit both parties.
A referral marketing plan involves many different kinds of relationships. Among the most important are those with your referral sources, with prospects these referral sources bring you and with customers you convert from the prospects. These relationships don’t just spring up full-grown; they must be nurtured. As they grow, fed by mutual trust and shared benefits, they evolve through three phases: visibility, credibility and profitability. BNI calls this evolution the VCP Process®.
Advertising Reach: The Web has a far wider reach than any other form of advertising. At the end of 2017, nearly 55% of the world’s 7 billion population had access to the web. At the time of this post there were nearly 1.9 billion websites on the planet, of which a little over 644 million were in the United States.
Visibility: Increasing your visibility is one major factors for having a website. But just having a site, doesn’t automagically let potential customers know you or it exists. You need to communicate/announce your web presence to potential customers where they’re looking. That is most likely in one or more search engines, social media platforms, your networking groups and your other marketing materials.
Accessibility: A website is online and accessible 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Because of this, your customers and potential customers can visit your site for support or information about new and upcoming products and services whenever, and ideally, ON whatever device is convenient for them.
Credibility: Being aware of you AND being able to access your information 24/7 isn’t all that needed. Once they find your site well designed, easy to navigate and your content inviting and useful, your credibility will increase. Your website is a valuable referral partner through which your visibility and credibility with visitors/customers will be shared and referred to other potential customers.
Sales: Your website can sell your products or services at any time. Potential customers are not restricted to business hours. Instead, they can go online and purchase products whenever they want. A website with an online shop can provide a dramatic boost in sales. All which ‘can’ lead to increased PROFITABILTY.
Who do YOU know that wants more V.C.P. out of their W.E.B. marketing? We’re only a CLIK away.
