Lucky Number 7 - Tips on why a strong website is crucial

Although slightly outside of our usual sphere of operation, we felt it most timely to write a brief article on the importance of a strong website.

1. Far cheaper and much more flexible than print

Content can be amended at a moment’s notice if you use a content management system and a wider audience can potentially be reached.

2. Increases awareness of products or services

A website provides the opportunity to publish the 5 Ws of a business in an effective manner. In the case of The European Safety Bureau, it gives current and potential clients the opportunity to see the full extent of the Bureau’s service offering.

3. Increases hours of operation

A strong website serves as a company’s shopfront; its identity to the onlooking public. The website enables the ESB brand to essentially be open 24/7 which complements the 24/7 telephone helpline offered by The Bureau. A problem facing The Bureau with the last incarnation of its website was that its heavily stylised flash-based approach did not reflect the professionalism of The Bureau’s consultants.

4. Cost Effective Marketing Research

Website statistics and analytics embedded into the site enable The Bureau to ascertain what is most important to our interested publics, how long they visit the site for and which page they were on when they exited the site. Data capture fields will enable The Bureau to contract interested parties should they choose to leave their contact details.

5. Market Expansion

Whilst The Bureau has worked in a great number of European countries, it has historically been through organic growth with our UK client base which has led us to work on the continent. An effective website will provide us with the opportunity to approach continental clients we otherwise would not have had dealings with.

6. Add value and satisfaction

A strong website provides an ideal platform by which to offer added value to your clients. In the case of ESB, e-learning is offered through training pods, technical updates are delivered and the ESB prompt short message service are all available for clients. These touches of individualised customer service ultimately add value to customers, thus they experience a higher level of satisfaction.

7. Improve credibility

A website gives an organisation the opportunity to tell potential customers why they deserve their trust and confidence. This may be through endorsements or via a client list on the site.Designed by Leicestershire-based firm MastersAllen, the new ESB website goes live on 29th September. Please take a look at www.esb.eu.com and let us know your thoughts on twitter @esb_tweets.