Stay connected

5 Reasons why small businesses need a website

Fay Roe

COVID-19 has challenged businesses across the globe in a way that has not seen before. It’s pushed them to their very limits. Even the bigger businesses and organisations struggled to adapt. However, some of the smaller and homegrown businesses have positively flourished – adjusted, modified, and risen to the occasion.

How have they done it? They’ve upped their game – nurturing their digital presence and boosting their web marketing – and at the heart of every successful online marketing campaign is a website.

A website is a business essential. In today’s digitally driven economy, consumers don’t just want to see businesses online, they expect it. It gives you the opportunity to boost sales, increase profits and grow your business by taking your products and services directly to the very people who are looking for them.

1 – tell your brand’s story

Selling has changed massively over the years. Traditionally price was thought to be the greatest influencing factor in a sale, but there has been a shift in thinking about buying behaviours. It is now recognised that 95% of buying decisions are emotion led. Your website is the ideal place to tell your brand’s story to connect and develop the relationship consumers have with your brand – they want to know how your business’s mission, values and ethics align with theirs.

2 – showcase your products or services

Let’s cut to the chase: a business website is not a vanity project; it exists to make you money. The only way to make people want your products is to show them what you have or what you can do. A professionally designed, brand supporting website will enable visitors to easily navigate the website without having to jump through hoops to hit checkout or find the information they need.

3 – increase your business’s visibility and reach

Your website has the potential to be your greatest marketing asset. It’s the lynch pin to establishing a sustainable business – if used effectively. SEO is a powerful method to increase the number of opportunities to be seen by your target audience by climbing the ranking position of the search engine results pages. Greater visibility means more visitors. More visitors mean more sales.

4 – grow your business

Regardless of the industry you are in a website is central to unlocking the potential in your business. In 2018 Deloitte undertook a study called ‘Connected Small Businesses in the United States’, and the analysis found that the small businesses with advanced levels of digital engagement:

Doubled the revenue per employee.
Experienced nearly four times the amount of revenue growth than the previous year.
Three times as likely to employ a new member of staff.
Three times more likely to export.

5 – be open 24/7

The boom in ecommerce is fuelled by how convenient it is for consumers to buy products online minus the limits of opening times or geography. Whether someone buys from you at midnight or noon, a well-designed and content rich website gives all the relevant information a face-to-face customer asks so the online user-experience is as seamless as real-life.

So, rather than thinking about why your business needs a website, perhaps you should be asking why not!

Digital Presence specialises in helping small businesses achieve their full potential online. We build websites for varying industries and of different levels of complexity– from informational business pages to e-commerce solutions. Our web design services Christchurch team create custom SEO and mobile friendly websites to help your business grow. Call us today or drop us a line to arrange a free no-obligation chat about how we can get your business online.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Get a free consultation

How can we help?

Google optimised websites from $95 p/m

Get new customers with Google Ads

Learn about SEO

Get a free consultation

A person is holding a red and white magnet in their hand.

How to design a website for lead generation: A guide for Christchurch service-based businesses

by Simon Mullinger • 2 April 2025

For service-based businesses in Christchurch, your website isn’t just a digital brochure — it’s your primary tool for attracting, engaging, and converting potential customers. But simply having a website isn’t enough. To generate high-quality leads, your website needs to be strategically designed to drive conversions. Whether you’re a plumber, an accountant, a personal trainer, or any other service-based business, understanding how to design a website that maximises lead generation is key to growing your business. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the strategies and best practices for designing a website that effectively generates leads. From creating effective landing pages and optimising forms, to crafting compelling calls-to-action (CTAs) and leveraging design elements that encourage conversions, we’ll cover everything you need to know to turn your website into a lead-generation powerhouse. Why lead generation matters for service-based businesses For service-based businesses, generating leads is often the top priority. Unlike e-commerce businesses that focus on online sales, service businesses rely on qualified leads who are interested in booking a service, requesting a consultation, or making an inquiry. The challenge lies in attracting the right type of traffic and guiding visitors to take action once they’re on your site. Your website should be your most effective tool for converting website visitors into leads, and this can only happen when it’s designed with lead generation in mind. With the right strategies and optimisations, your website can play a central role in driving business growth by turning website visitors into paying customers.

A woman is using a laptop computer and holding a sign that says seo.

Website design for local SEO: How to optimise your website design for local search rankings

by Simon Mullinger • 2 April 2025

For small businesses, getting noticed online is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. With over 90% of customers using Google to search for local businesses, your website’s ability to rank well on search engines can make or break your business. But how do you ensure that your website is optimised for local SEO and stands out in your local Christchurch market? The answer lies in both the content and design of your website. In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into how to optimise your website design for local search rankings. We’ll discuss key strategies that can help your Christchurch business get found by more local customers, including Google My Business (GMB) integration, optimising your website for local keywords, and using location-specific content. By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid understanding of how website design plays a critical role in boosting your local SEO and driving more traffic to your site. What is local SEO and why does it matter for small businesses? Before we jump into specific strategies, let’s first understand what local SEO is and why it’s so important for small businesses in Christchurch. Local SEO refers to the process of optimising your website and online presence to rank higher in search results for location-based searches. These are searches made by users looking for businesses in their area, such as “plumbers in Christchurch” or “best cafes near me.” As more and more people use their smartphones and Google to search for local products and services, it’s essential for businesses to optimise their websites for these types of searches. For Christchurch businesses, ranking well for local SEO can lead to increased visibility, more foot traffic, and a greater number of customers. By designing your website with local SEO in mind, you can ensure that you are reaching potential customers who are actively searching for the products or services you offer in Christchurch.

A city tour trolley is parked in front of a building.

How to use Google Ads to attract local customers in Christchurch

by Simon Mullinger • 2 April 2025

Whether you run a local café, a plumbing service, or a retail store, attracting local customers can be a major hurdle. However, the good news is that Google Ads is one of the most effective tools to help you reach your audience right when they’re actively searching for your products or services. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use Google Ads to attract local customers in Christchurch, ensuring your business gets the attention it deserves. Why local businesses should use Google Ads Google Ads is a powerful tool that enables businesses to drive targeted traffic to their websites, particularly businesses that are focusing on local customers. With over 90% of people using Google to search for products and services, your business cannot afford to miss out on the opportunities Google Ads offers. Google Ads is especially beneficial for local businesses because it allows you to target customers within specific geographic areas. Whether your customers are in central Christchurch or outlying areas, you can create a strategy that targets people in your vicinity, ensuring your ads reach people who are nearby and ready to take action. This is particularly important for Christchurch businesses wanting to attract customers in their local area.

A computer monitor with a rocket flying out of it.

Domain and conquer: how to launch a new website design

by Fay Roe • 1 April 2025

Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. A well-designed, strategically launched website can be the difference between converting visitors into customers or losing them to competitors. Whether you're refreshing an existing site or building from scratch, launching a new website requires careful planning and execution. Here's how to ensure your website launch delivers maximum impact for your business. Planning your website launch strategy Understand your website's purpose Before diving into design elements or development frameworks, define what you want your website to achieve. Are you looking to generate leads, sell products, provide information, or build brand awareness? Digital Presence, a leading web design agency in Christchurch, begins every project by understanding these core objectives to ensure your website serves your business goals. Know your audience Your website should speak directly to your target audience. Understanding their needs, pain points, and online behaviours will inform everything from design choices to content strategy. This customer-centric approach is what sets professional web design services in Christchurch apart from DIY solutions. Set a realistic timeline A comprehensive website launch typically takes 8-12 weeks, depending on complexity. Working with Digital Presence means having a structured timeline with clear milestones, ensuring your project stays on track without compromising quality.