If I am a local pizza shop, why do I want a website? I don’t want somebody across the country calling me and asking me to deliver a pizza! As a business consulting and a business web design company, we hear comments like this from small business owners.

Well, the most important reason is that more people use the Internet more often today than use the yellow pages. People search the Internet for what they want. Make it easy for them to learn about you. Newspapers are quickly losing ground to the Internet as the primary source for local shopping information. Times have changes and the Internet is now the most widely used media around. Here are 7 reasons small and local businesses need a website.

1. A website makes your business more credible. In today’s world, all businesses should have a website. Your customers expect it.
2. You can be found in local searches by using the cities that you serve and the service (or product) you provide in the text on your website. It is the text on your website that is important to the search engines.
3. Your customers want to find you, make it easy. Include your address and phone number. Include a map with driving directions so you can be found.
4. Include good descriptions of what you have to offer, If you are a restaurant include a menu. If you have products, include details, advantages and benefits of your products.
5. Include the hours you are open. Someone can be looking over your website at 2AM and wants to know when they can come in. Don’t make them wait, post it on your website.
6. Include a coupon or Internet special that customers can print out from your website. This way you will know when your customers are coming from your website.
7. Include an “About Us” page. People want to know about you, your history and what your philosophies are toward business. Include things such as a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee or we your business is best. This where customers learn about your company.

Related posts:

1. Local Search for Local Businesses
2. Web is Growing Toward Local Search for Local Businesses
3. 7 Ways to Get More Local Website Traffic
4. Google Mobile Search for Local Businesses
5. An Easy Introduction to Marketing Your Local Business on the Web