Is it necessary for a business to have a website in Singapore?
Not every business needs a website, but having one has its advantages. The main concerns about having a website are technical complications and web development and maintenance costs. In this article, let us discuss the benefits and drawbacks of having a website and if it is necessary for a business to have a website in Singapore.
Benefits of having a website
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Attract new customers
A website is always accessible 24 hours to users during and after regular business hours and can help provide information and introduce products and services. According to Ge Capital’s research, 81% of customers research a company or service online before purchasing the product or service.
A website can be accessed globally, and because of this, overcoming geographic barriers is now easier than before. An online presence can attract new potential customers outside of their geographic area and provide opportunities to expand regionally. Therefore, anyone can become a potential customer, no matter where they are.
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Increase Credibility
First impressions matter and websites allow users to know a business professionally. According to research from Mintel, 56% of individuals mentioned they would only trust a company with a website.
Websites provide customers with important information about a company and address their frequently asked questions. Without having a website and its information, potential clients and customers may not trust a company.
A high-quality, user-friendly website also encourages clients to use the services. They most likely will presume the company will provide them with the same satisfying experience.
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Gather Online Data
Learn more about visitors’ behaviour, interest and demographics using the website’s analytics. Having online data can allow a business to make better decisions to improve its marketing strategies, such as locations to target, opening hours, promotions, and product selection.
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Improve customer service
With relevant information on a website, visitors would not need to find a representative to contact for information such as the business address, operating hours, or frequently asked questions on the product or service. This will allow front-end employees to free up their time and service customers with more complicated or urgent requirements.
Semi-automated chatbots can also be installed on websites and help with simple tasks such as answering frequently asked questions. This allows visitors to contact customer service regardless of the time.
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It helps edge out the competition
A successful website enables a business to compete and outrank larger companies with a weaker online presence. An original, interactive, unique website with interesting content and designs can create a better overall experience for online visitors. A good website can give visitors the sense that the business cares for them and understands their requirements better than anyone.
Drawbacks of having a website
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Difficulty in reaching the right target audience
It can be difficult to reach the target audience with a website, as millions of websites are online. Many companies are fighting to get a spot on every search engine’s first page, especially if a website is new; there is a high chance that it will not appear on most search engines. There are marketing solutions to get past this, such as search engine optimisation and online advertisements. It is essential to make website content relevant to visitors to result in having keywords ranking on search engines.
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Bad Publicity
Customers may feel the urge to express their displeasure online in reviews if they are dissatisfied with the service or product. This can easier affect a business’s online reputation and search engine ranking, which could be harmful. Having a website will not stop such events from occurring, but it might allow a business to keep track of them and be aware of them. The best way to address this issue is by constantly improving by learning from the feedback.
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Website crash
A website that keeps crashing can affect a business’s branding and image. People will not be able to learn more about the company or make purchases if a website frequently crashes or is inaccessible.
Most visitors will not wait for a website to load, even if it has captivating content and a stunning design. According to research by Google, if a website takes longer than three seconds to load, 53% of visitors will leave. That could result in significant losses when conversion rates decline by 7% due to a 1-second page response time delay.
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Secure the website
Corporate websites have several security drawbacks and risks, ranging from hacking to spamming to scammers. Due to the frequent use of third-party software, websites are susceptible to hacks. With minimal control over the software’s data, it can be vulnerable to unforeseen issues.
Professional companies must be able to secure a website, especially for businesses that require visitors to input their personal information. Fortunately, many several solutions can help with assist with securing a website.
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Spam Advertising
Users find it annoying when a website they visit opens up in numerous tabs when they click on it, and occasionally these advertisements include viruses or are exploited by hackers. Extreme pop-ups that interfere with reading can be quite aggravating, especially if the advertisements are intended to make visitors feel guilty.
Conclusion
Despite the drawbacks, having a website in Singapore is useful for lead generation, visibility, social proof, and authority. A significant portion of buyers will want to visit a website before choosing to make a purchase. A website can improve the chances of making sales and expanding a business regionally.
