If you’re like most business owners, you know you need a website, but you may not be clear exactly why. Are you using your site to sell products? To convince prospects your service is superior to the competition? Or simply to have a presence online?
I always advise my clients that there are three main categories of website, and when you choose to build or rebuild your website, you should be aware of what type of site you need (and what type you’re building).
The first type of site is what I refer to as a billboard: this is a site that just sits there, and serves primarily as a brochure. This kind of site can be helpful when you only need to “prove” you are a legitimate business, and to give visitors basic information on who you are and what you do. This is a static site, and doesn’t actually “do” anything for your business.
The second type of website is a step up from the online brochure. It may look nice. It may convince a few people to buy from you. And it’s well-built enough so that someone searching online might be able to find you. However, this type of site still is not a main factor in growing your business—it may help you close a sale, but it won’t do much to generate business for you.
The third type of website is a site that actually makes money for your business—a website that literally acts as your #1 employee, actively bringing in new connections, new customers and new sales. It is this kind of website that can take your business to heights of success you never dreamed possible.
As you are thinking about your business, ask yourself: what type of website does my business need? One that is static, or one that is a workhorse, building my customer base and dramatically growing my sales?
Steve Johnsen is a marketing strategist, a business coach, and the Founder of Cloud Mountain Marketing. He is also the author of the Amazon #1 best-seller, 5 Easy Steps to Make Your Website Your #1 Employee.