Whether or not you sell online, the world of business is no longer confined to brick-and-mortar stores. Building a digital presence is critical — and that starts with a website.
Yet nearly one-third of small businesses still don’t have a website as of 2022.1 Meanwhile, an estimated 3.5 billion searches are made on Google daily, with half of all shoppers using the search engine to research a purchase they plan to make.2
From boosting visibility to expanding reach and attracting new customers, discover why building a website can be a game-changer for small businesses.
There are approximately 268 million online shoppers in the U.S. today, a 16.2% increase since 2020.3 That’s about 70% of all Americans.
When it comes to promoting your small business, developing an online presence is more than just a buzzword. Think of it as the digital footprint your business leaves across the internet, encompassing all the ways in which your business can be found, interacted with, and evaluated online.
Did you know approximately 76% of consumers read online reviews regularly?4 Having a website that highlights your online reviews and testimonials can help establish and enhance the credibility of your small business.
Beyond reviews and testimonials, here's how a website can help build customer trust:
One of the biggest advantages of a small business website is the ability to provide information to your audience around the clock. Unlike physical stores with set operating hours, your website never sleeps.
Here's how this convenience can benefit your business:
Imagine you run a small bakery. If someone in your neighborhood is craving fresh pastries and types "best local bakery" into a search engine, what happens if your business doesn't have a website or any online presence? You may risk going unnoticed.
Having a website can go beyond simply getting your business noticed in your community. Consider it a marketing powerhouse that can:
Once your website is up and running, understanding how visitors interact with it is critical to long-term success.
That’s where website analytics comes in, which refers to the process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data about your website's performance and user behavior. Start by breaking down your website’s:
Ready to build a website and grow your online presence? Here’s a high-level overview of what the process may look like:
Before making a purchase, consumers are likely to pull out their smartphones, tablets, or laptops and conduct a quick online search. They’ll look for product reviews, compare prices, read about experiences others have had with your business — and often form their first impressions based on what they find online.
Whether you sell cupcakes, operate as a home repair service, or run a retail store with a global footprint, having an online presence is key. Learn more about how a PayPal Business account can help you run and grow your business.
In partnership with three expert business owners, the PayPal Bootcamp includes practical checklists and a short video loaded with tips to help take your business to the next level.
We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. May we use marketing cookies to show you personalized ads? Manage all cookies