Why Word Of Mouth Isn't Enough For A Small Local Business

How often have you said, "I don't need a website, or SEO, I get all of my business from word of mouth"? I can imagine quite a few. Don't get me wrong, word of mouth is one of the most valuable ways to grow your business, but your website is still important even if word of mouth is your biggest source of leads!

The Limitations Of Word Of Mouth

An Increasingly Digital World

With the world becoming more and more digital, and less connected face-to-face, people simply don't talk as much as they used to. When we talk, we are talking for a specific reason and businesses we've used are less likely to come up in conversation. 81% of consumers will check out your website before deciding whether or not to do business with you, and 88% of users won't return to a website after a bad experience.

Like it or not, your website reflects on you as a business, and you will be losing out on valuable customers by not investing in a fast-loading website, with 47% of customers not willing to wait longer than 2 seconds for a website to load, that has been designed well and made accessibly.

Inconsistent Flow Of Leads

When running a small business, every single lead matters. When relying solely on word of mouth, you are out of control and referrals can be sporadic, with no consistency to your revenue. You need to be front of mind for anybody locally in need of your services, and they will turn to Google as the place to find the business they need. You need to make sure you:

1. Are visible to search engines
2. Have a website which looks professional, and has the information they require
3. Have an easy way of being contacted

Some Word Of Mouth Can Be Bad Word Of Mouth

Not all word of mouth is a good thing, and one mistake can spread like wildfire and take out your main source of leads as a business. Without a professional website to tell your side of the story or showcase your expertise, you risk leaving potential customers with a biased and negative impression.

Your website is your opportunity to take control of your own narrative. It allows you to showcase your best work, share testimonials from happy customers, and demonstrate why you’re the best choice in your sector. A strong website and online image can not only counteract negative word of mouth but also establish trust with new prospects who might otherwise never hear the positive things your clients have to say.

Why a website is essential to a local services-based business

Visibility to the Local Community

Imagine this, someone in your town needs a service you offer. Where do they turn? Google. They pull out their phone, search for 'xyzxyz near me' and start browsing. If you don’t have a website, or your website doesn’t show up, you’ve already lost them to a competitor who does. Make sure you have a website filled with relevant keywords, is usable on a mobile device, that loads quickly and can be easily indexed by Google.

Your website is so much more than a box to tick, it’s the place where local customers can find you, learn about your services, and decide to get in touch. Without it, you’re invisible to the people right around the corner who need what you offer.

An effective website ensures that when someone searches for businesses like yours, you’re the one they find. Being visible online is the first step to bringing in new customers consistently, especially in today’s fast-paced world where Google is everyone’s first move.

Anytime, anywhere...

Your website is live 24/7, 365 days per year (and if it isn't then you really should be speaking to someone about fixing that), it should be used accordingly, as a way to generate you leads consistently. The world is fast-moving. People need to find out about your services at any given time. You need to make sure you have a website, optimised for multiple devices, and able to be quickly loaded no matter the WiFi or cellular connection your customer has.

Users form an opinion on a website, and therefore an opinion on your business in 0.05 seconds. You need to make sure that impression is a good one.

Credibility and Trust Leads To Success

Let’s be honest, people judge a book by its cover, and they’ll judge your business based on your website. A clean, professional, and well-designed website immediately tells potential customers that you’re legit. It’s your first impression, and we both know how important those are.

If your website is outdated, slow, or nonexistent, what does that say about your business? If you can’t be bothered to keep your website up to scratch, how can your customers trust you’ll be able to take care of their needs?

Testimonials, photos of your work, and clear information about what you offer. These are all things your website should include to build trust. In a world where 81% of people check out your website before deciding who they will use, having a great site isn’t just a nicety, it's a necessity.

Consistency

Here’s the thing about running a business, especially a small one. Consistency is everything. Whether it’s income, leads, or customer inquiries, you need a steady flow to keep things running smoothly. Relying on word of mouth alone is like playing the lottery, you might win big one week, but you could go quiet the next.

Your website changes the game. It works for you 24/7, generating leads and inquiries even while you’re asleep. Whether someone is searching for your service at 2pm or 2am, your website is always there, ready to show them exactly why someone should choose you.

And don’t forget about updates. With a website, you can keep customers informed and up to date about new services, special offers, or any other news you want to share.

Final Thoughts, You Should Get Yourself A Website

As a local business providing services, you should absolutely get yourself a website. It will generate more leads, give your business a positive image and allow you to control your own narrative. When getting started on your website journey, consider the following:

• Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) - Am I going to be put in front of people?
• Design - Does the design of my website represent me as a business?
• Speed - Does my website load quickly, no matter the location or device my customer is on?
• Clarity - Is it clear what it is I do, and how people can get in touch with me?
• Accessibility - Can everyone use my website, even if they are disabled?
• Mobile - Does the website look good, and load quickly on mobile?
• Security - Is your customer's data secure, or do you have copious amounts of plugins to keep up to date?

Struggling to figure what's best, we're happy to help out. Get yourself a Free Website Audit video, or book a call with one of our team!