Digital Marketing Company, Lounge Lizard, Shares 3 Reasons Why Local Businesses Need Websites to Compete on Google

NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Lounge Lizard is a Long Island SEO company that is recognized within the web design and development industry for their amazing designs. Lounge Lizard's brandtenders are creative, tech-savvy, and passionate in developing innovative strategies that drive conversion for both startup and established clients of all industries, making them the "best of breed since 1998."

With Google's shift towards providing their users with usable information via Google-owned interfaces on search results rather than just direct to website links, some small businesses are questioning the value behind creating and maintaining a website. A case could be made that a website is redundant for a local business if they are already appearing in a Google Knowledge Panel in direct name searches. Today the Digital Marketing Company, Lounge Lizard, shares 3 Reasons why Local Businesses need Websites to compete on Google.

Most local businesses are qualified as "small" by general analysis when discussing small, medium, and large businesses. When looking at statistics it is rather surprising that in today's digital, online culture that 45% of small businesses have no website. That means almost half of the small business competition is already behind on Google. Additionally, 27% of Google My Business listings have no website link which means even some of those competitors who take the time to utilize GMB aren't using it as effectively as possible; in tandem with a website.

In some cases, this occurs because a small or local business might not see the benefit of having a website if they already obtain traffic due to proximity based on their Google My Business page or regularly appearing in local pack results. However, the later aspect is never assured, and a website can provide numerous benefits that rudimentary directory listings or review sites simply do not provide. It is true that the Google Knowledge Panel does provide basic information about a business without visitors going to an actual website, that also means settling for less.

On a local level a website can provide:

• Increased chance to end up in local pack results – Research has indicated that businesses that rank highly organically have a greater chance to appear in local pack results as their resulting local pack rankings are higher. Websites that can rank on page 1 or page 2 of organic search results tend to appear in local pack results at a 4:1 ratio to those sites that do not rank that high organically.
• Platform for earning links to increase organic rankings – Links play a valuable role in establishing Domain Authority and building organic rankings, which is turn boosts local rankings. Local businesses do have an advantage over larger businesses in this regard as good local link-building can be accomplished based on relationships built locally in the real world. Being involved in the community opens the door for link building based on sponsorships, business associations, service group connections, local news stories, participation in events, and cross-promotions with business partners. Without a website, there is not a platform available to utilize this advantage.
• Publishing platform for brand-controlled content – While the Google Knowledge Panel is a place where useful information can be posted along with reviews and even a microblog, it is not an equal platform compared to a website where the brand controls every aspect. Brand-controlled content is a terrific way to earn more business with everything from How-To videos that solve common problems in an industry to posts which showcase a businesses authority and expertise.

It is folly to overlook the benefit of organic search results. While they aren't as powerful compared to being in the local pack results, they will generate traffic, which for businesses without websites means a new stream of visitors. When taken in tandem with local pack results, it simply increases the ability of your business to generate traffic online. According to a Bloomberg study, 80% of small businesses fail within the first 18 months and lack of revenue is a common issue plaguing those failures. Limiting online traffic means limiting the potential number of opportunities a business will have to create conversions.

Lounge Lizard is an award-winning, high-end design boutique specializing in website and mobile app development, social media agency, UX/UI, branding, and marketing. Lounge Lizard excels in creating the ultimate brand strategy, fully loaded with expertly crafted visuals that work together to increase sales and effectively communicate a client's unique personality.

Media Contact: Ken Braun, Lounge Lizard, 631-581-1000, ken.braun(at)loungelizard.com

SOURCE Lounge Lizard