Competition is no longer just about the products and services offered but also, and especially, about the visibility of one’s company. The website has proven to be the quintessential communication tool of the 21st century.
Globally, two out of three inhabitants (precisely 66.2%) use the internet. 5.35 billion people use the internet, marking an increase of 1.8% in a year. 96.5% of internet users connect via their smartphones, while 61.8% connect via a computer (desktop or laptop). According to the annual report by FEVAD on e-commerce, online purchasing in France continues to grow, reaching a figure of 39.3 billion euros in revenue in the second quarter of 2023, an 8% increase.
Product sales remain steady, but the growth of e-commerce is sustained by service sales. There were 571 million transactions recorded in the second quarter of 2023 (a 5.3% increase in a year). The average basket value increased by 2.8% to 69 euros. The number of online merchants increased by 7% in a year.
These figures speak for themselves in measuring the importance of being present online. Regardless of a company’s size, but especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the internet is a rapid and effective communication tool to offer more information, more services, and more convenience to customers.
In our globalized context, companies must increasingly focus on international markets. The internet undoubtedly helps overcome geographical constraints: every internet user, wherever they are in the world, becomes a potential customer! A company’s competitiveness is the essential factor in its growth and even survival!
Developing an Attractive Website
Your website is the direct image of your company. If your competitors’ sites have a better “look” than yours, you risk pushing your customers straight to them. Properly representing your company is essential. Regular updates are necessary, and users are particularly sensitive to the animation of your site. The goal is to make them want to come back to your site, to learn more about you.
Interactivity is equally important: the ability for a potential customer to contact you directly via your website significantly increases your responsiveness to the questions and expectations of your audience. This takes time but can prove very beneficial.
Brochure Site or E-commerce Site?
In implementing your website, you need to ask yourself if you just want a showcase for your company or if you want to offer services. By doing so, you turn it into an e-commerce site, allowing online purchases. You thus have a store open 24/7, and you have the opportunity to better manage your stocks in real-time, an important factor in reducing marketing costs.
However, the decision to create a web presence is not arbitrary, nor is it free. The cost is far from negligible. Faced with increased demand, we are witnessing a proliferation of website creation assistance software, which are relatively easy to access. You can also hire a specialized agency or enlist the help of a freelancer.
In this case, you need to consider the amount you want to invest, thinking about developing your company’s visibility and brand image! You can create it internally, but don’t expect wonders. However, it will at least have the merit of existing.
What Are the Reasons for Creating a Website?
Your interest is twofold: for individuals, it is your primary means of making yourself known, in addition to word of mouth, and to respond to various media requests. Having a website has become essential for reaching them. Regarding businesses, it is essential, and the quality of your site is a guarantee of security and seriousness for your customers. It is one of the elements that sets you apart from your competitors.
Direct contact with customers through the website allows you to tailor offers to their demands.
