Social Media, SEO & Your Business

by Mitch Mitchell




Using Your Website
As A Marketing Tool

by Mitch Mitchell



Embrace The Lead
by T. T. Mitchell




Keys To Leadership
by T. T. Mitchell




Free Download; right-click on book

T. T. Mitchell Consulting, Inc

Promote Your Page Too




Follow Me On Twitter;
Click The Bird!



Listed on BlogShares



«
»


Businesses Without Websites

Posted by Mitch Mitchell on Aug 25, 2010

Many of you know that I write blogs for others. One of the sites I write for is a massive real estate blog. It concentrates on home communities and home builders, though I also get to write some commentary here and there.


World Wide Web
by Anthony Mattox

What surprises me is just how many home builders and contractors there are that still don’t have a website. Sure, they’re listed in some fashion via Yahoo maps and Google maps and Manta and other phone number tracking sites, but beyond that there’s no further information on these companies.

It’s frustrating for me because I try to find out more information about either a community or a home builder, and there’s nothing there. In many areas around the country they don’t have home communities, just neighborhoods, and sometimes it’s hard trying to figure out who built those homes. And when you can find them, there’s nothing about them, just a phone number. You don’t know if they build single family, multiple family, condominiums, townhomes… nothing.

Of course it’s not just home builders, but many brick and mortar businesses in general. My wife and I were trying to research snow removal companies that were in our area, but there were only two online, and neither one specifically near our home. Sure, there are plenty of numbers on the search engine, but it would be nice to know which specific neighborhoods these snow removal people like to work in because my wife leaves the house by 5:30 in the morning and it doesn’t do us much good if the builder is on the other side of our town most of the time.

A few years ago I wrote an article on my SEO website titled Should You Have A Website, and of course I come out on the side that says “yes”. However, I also mentioned some reasons why a business might want a website, and though I could see why someone might, my bet is that most of these companies that don’t have websites do so because they just never thought about it.

In this day and age, when so many more people are internet savvy and would rather look information up on the search engines as opposed to grabbing the Yellow Pages and looking at an ad, it would behoove any legitimate agency to have a website, put up some examples of what they do, and let their online marketing serve their business in ways they’ve never imagined before. It’s the wave of the future; heck, it’s the wave now!

Big House, Little House, Back House Barn

Big House, Little House, Back House Barn


Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Mitch Mitchell

Tags: , , , , , ,

17 Comments »

Keith:

Of course I am on your side on this issue. It baffles me when I find out that businesses do not find the value in a website, especially when the Internet is in all of our lives. I am not saying that because I am in the website business, I truly believe it, as I know you do too.

There are so many ways that a website will increase revenue, build an identity, and provide value to customers.

I know that when I am trying to find a new service the first thing I do is go to Google. All of the businesses that don’t have a web presence are missing tons of opportunities.

Mitch Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 12:50 AM

Exactly Keith. I think I’ve opened a phone book once this year, but I’m always going on Google looking for someone to provide some kind of service for me. How so many small business owners are still missing this is beyond me. Then again, maybe that’s how we increase our businesses, right? :-)

August 25th, 2010 | 4:20 PM
Carl:

Mich, I even can not imagine this, I made my first website 14 years ago and for 11 years I am professional SEO and Internet marketer. All my business is 99% web based. I believe in the power of internet and all the sales are coming exactly from there.

Mitch Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 10:29 AM

It seems unimaginable, but it’s definitely the norm.

August 26th, 2010 | 8:01 AM
Carolee:

This drives me nuts as I ALWAYS go to the web first, the phone book 2nd.

When we were looking for a campground,we had a heck of a time- most are not on the net- some aren’t even in the phone book.

Both places we liked we found by accident.

Guess who is going to try to barter with the campground owner? A blog or website for reduced camping…..

You never know until you ask….

Mitch Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 10:36 AM

That’s a good point; I wish I had that kind of nerve, as I see lots of websites that certainly need the work.

August 26th, 2010 | 10:21 AM
Kim:

Hi Mitch,

I can give you a bit of perspective from the other side. I’ve been in business for 25 years and never had a website. I actually still don’t have one. My business is local and via referrals directly from CPAs, attorneys and existing clients.

I started up my blog for my client’s employees and it happened to take off with web readers. I will be starting a site but only because we want to have a site up for grandfather clause in case we need it in the future and it’s restricted.

50% of my clients don’t have a website because they’re B2B. Their business is via direct sales in very specific niche.

A website is a nice thing but it’s not necessary in some B2B industries.

Mitch Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 6:41 PM

I’m glad it’s all worked out for you, Kim. I dare say, however, that you’re probably in that .001% that’s lucked out working for yourself and never needing to have a website or to even have to advertise. My business is B2B, and without it I’d never have new business at all. I’ve also known people who had your luxury, so to speak, who suddenly didn’t have it and had no idea where to go or what to do next. I know my accountant friends, for whom I built a website, didn’t necessarily need it, but they’ve also gotten new business from it and thus haven’t only had to rely on word of mouth.

So, maybe not necessarily crucial for everyone, but it certainly can’t hurt anyone.

August 27th, 2010 | 12:50 AM
Cole Stan:

There are some industries who haven’t decided to explore the possible advantage of using online marketing for their businesses. Since we are currently facing very visible changes in our technology nowadays, businesses must at least consider these changes.

Mitch Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 9:17 PM

Thanks for your contribution, Cole. I think at least exploring these options makes a lot of sense, as it allows for an informed decision.

Cole Stan Reply:
September 10th, 2010 at 5:20 AM

Yes, you’re right. But most of us tend to be conservative. You know, the old school way of thinking, way of doing everything…

Mitch Reply:
September 10th, 2010 at 10:43 AM

Unfortunately Cole, old school thinking means getting left behind in today’s world. If you’re already doing okay then fine, but how often have you heard of someone doing well and suddenly losing their main client and having no idea of what to do next?

Cole Stan Reply:
September 15th, 2010 at 11:12 PM

The possibility of losing clients will surely increase. Of course, clients want to get more or at least want to satisfy themselves of the amount that they are paying. Businesses have no other option but to compete with other businesses in their industry.

September 8th, 2010 | 4:38 AM
Alex@Jocuri:

Internet is really a growing market nowadays and I think that many businesses that are not on the web is just because they existed before the web started and can’t really comprehend the benefits internet exposure can get bring. I can tell you from real life examples that older businesses don’t care about the internet and they would better place banner on the sidewalk or on poles for higher sums then would take them to open a blog/website about their business.

Mitch Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 9:38 PM

That is a good point, Alex. I know a guy who has a financial counseling business and he doesn’t have a website because he said he doesn’t have any time to even use the internet. There are going to be folks who just won’t see the value, but then again, if they’re already doing enough business then it’s all good.

September 8th, 2010 | 1:43 PM
nigel:

Having a well designed web site is really important today. No question. A web site can serve not just one person or business but a group of people. We support over 325 local artists (some of who are the best in North America) and rely on a web site (as well as our studios) to tell people that its good to support local artists – keeps your $ at home.
http://blog.sidestreetstudio.com/wood/10-reasons-why-you-should-buy-local-arts-crafts/

Mitch Reply:
September 16th, 2010 at 12:05 PM

Thanks for your thoughts, Nigel. I would figure that with the type of thing you do a website is a great way to share some of the types of projects people work on.

September 16th, 2010 | 1:26 AM