10 reasons why exporters need a website

Exporters are reluctant to create a website for their export business despite it being a business necessity.

We give 10 reasons why exporters need a website

Today online sales have derived more importance than offline sales. Traditional brick and mortar stores

go the extra mile to recreate their offline presence online. Like other small and medium businessmen,

exporters are also on the constant lookout for ways to increase their sales and break into target export

markets without spending an inordinate amount of money.

While it is clear that an online presence can help exporters enhance their sales and build a global buyer

base at no huge marketing cost, exporters are reluctant to take their business online. Some of the

common reasons that all exporters cite is that there is no need for a website or that it costs way too much.

With more and more businesses jumping onto the digital bandwagon, website creation and maintenance

has not been easier or more cost-effective. We give you top 20 reasons why you should get your website

up and running quickly.

1. It’s a 24/7 shop – While previously working hours were strictly 9-5, today businesses are accessible

24/7. Different geographies mean different timelines. How will you appeal or catch the attention

of buyers whose time zone does not match your own? This is where a website proves useful. Your

export business will be accessible to buyers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

What’s more, holidays will not have an impact on your export business anymore.

2. Let me Google it – Customers are increasingly taking to searching for a business online before

purchasing any product. Likewise, when buyers are on the lookout for prospective sourcing

partners, they are more likely to Google for them. A lack of the website means you are losing out

on lucrative business opportunities. 90% of the people who use the internet every day have

bought something or contacted a company online in the last 12 months.

3. Market penetration – There are always those export markets you are looking to break into.

Making your presence felt in new markets means attending an international trade show in that

country. Which means travel and marketing expenses. A website however makes it easier for you

to go global. Buyers from the target markets will find you without having to spend much.

4. Online competition – Exporters who have taken to creating a website before it became a business

necessity have seen their business benefit greatly. As a majority of exporters are yet to build an

online presence, these exporters continue to enjoy what might seem like an unfair business

advantage. Want a share of the online business pie? Then get your website today.

5. Online brochure – When you attend a trade fair or a prospective client, you are sure to share

printed brochures that highlight the benefits of doing business with you. How will buyers who are

searching online for your products chance across your business? That is where a website comes

in. It serves as an online brochure for your business.

6. Much valued credibility – You have almost managed to get a big deal from a new buyer. This buyer

is keen on knowing more about your business searches online for you. But he draws a blank. Your

business credibility has taken a hit already. The buyer might decide not to go ahead with you. A

website=instant credibility.

7. Makes changes instant – You have added or stopped exported a particular export product. But

how will the buyers you are dealing with know that you a said product is no longer available or is

now being exported by you. With a website, changing or adding new information has never been

easier. Remember, it is always important to keep buyers informed.

8. Strengthen your business – Buyers are always skeptical of the quality of products they are sourcing

from you. If you are a manufacturer as well as an exporter, then you can create various videos

that capture the manufacturing and processing to induce confidence in your exporter. But these

videos also need to feature on a platform that is accessible easily by your buyers. That platform is

your website.

9. Cost-effective advertising – Big businesses have a huge marketing budget – Online, newspaper,

radio and television ads. What if you have an ad pops up 24/7 at no additional cost? That ad is

your website. All you have to do is choose the right keywords and write attractive content.

10. Know what buyers want – Research is key when deciding to expand your business. How do you

know what buyers really want to import? How will you know that the demand is not just limited

to a buyer? That’s where a website can help you. Buyers are likely to leave comments enquiring

if you export a XYZ product helping you analyze the demand cost effectively.