For success as a factoring broker or agent, having a robust online presence is not just advantageous; it’s indispensable. Your website serves as your virtual storefront of your business. They offer visiting potential clients a glimpse into your expertise, reliability, and the solutions you offer. Commercial finance consulting is an industry where trust and credibility are paramount. Crafting a well-designed website is your ticket to standing out amidst the competition and capturing the attention of businesses seeking financial solutions.
The “good news” is that a wealth of research has been conducted by industry experts on the significance of your business website. Below, we’ve compiled ten compelling statistics that underscore the importance of investing in your online appearance for your business. These insights shed light on the critical role your website plays in shaping perceptions, driving conversions, and ultimately propelling your factoring brokerage business toward success in the competitive marketplace.
10 Website Facts You Need to Know and Understand
- YOUR BUSINESS CREDIBILITY: According to social media giant LinkedIn, a full 75% of prospective clients will gauge your credibility based on your website. Your website frequently serves as the initial interaction with customers, and its professional appearance can determine whether you’re perceived as a trusted authority or merely a dubious entity lurking in the shadows
- BASIC WEBSITE DESIGN: When it comes to website design, Stanford University’s Web Credibility Project says a staggering 94% of initial impressions are influenced by its aesthetics. Surprisingly, it takes a mere 50 milliseconds for visitors to form an opinion about your site. Additionally, research shows that 38% of users will disengage from your website if they find its content or layout unappealing.
- YOU ARE IN GOOD COMPANY: According to a recent article compiled by Forbes Magazine, seventy-one percent (71%) of businesses now have a website. As online commerce and remote work become increasingly prevalent, businesses are recognizing the significance of establishing an online presence to broaden their reach and stay competitive in the modern digital environment.
- TRUST IN GOOGLE: When searching for your site, Google accounts for an astonishing 91.54% of all global online traffic. For your consulting businesses, focusing on search engine optimization (SEO) is not an option but more a necessity. Google is, in essence, the world’s gatekeeper of digital traffic
- DEVELOP CALLS-TO-ACTION: CTAs serve as your virtual website employee. They ask your visitors if they would like to “Apply Now” or “Learn More” by clicking on a button. Neglecting to incorporate them is akin to operating your virtual store without a checkout counter. CTAs are key lead generators you will quickly miss. Ignoring them results in lost opportunities for prospect conversions.
- INVEST IN VIDEO: Web users allocate 88% more time to perusing web pages that feature video content. When comparing the various elements of your site, users tend to dedicate the most time to those websites containing videos. This emphasizes the importance of incorporating high-quality videos about your financing products.
- MAKE IT SMART PHONE MOBILE FRIENDLY: Mobile devices reign as the preferred choice for internet access worldwide, with a staggering 60.67% of website traffic in 2024 originating from these devices. An overwhelming 92.3% of internet users opt to access the internet via their smartphones over other devices.
- DON’T OVERCROWD: A significant majority (84.6%) of web designers polled identify over-crowded web design as the predominant mistake observed on websites. While integrating images, color schemes, videos, and other visual elements is crucial for captivating and retaining user interest, moderation is key. Striking a balance is essential to prevent overwhelming users and ensure smooth navigation throughout the site.
- INVEST IN AI CHATBOTS: In a survey conducted in 2022, an overwhelming 91% of consumers expressed the belief that AI chatbots on company websites were beneficial and enhanced their overall customer experience, contrasting with a mere 9% who held a different view. By incorporating AI chatbots, your website’s customer service capabilities are expanded, significantly enhancing the overall customer experience.
- INVEST HEAVILY IN YOUR BLOG: Studies indicate that 61% of online consumers in the United States have made purchases prompted by recommendations from blogs. This statistic is particularly encouraging not only for businesses seeking direct sales but also for individuals interested in monetizing blogs through affiliate marketing or sponsored content.
Your Blog: What Is it and Why You Need One
Once you’ve established a small business website that offers exceptional user experience, the next pivotal step is to incorporate a blog, as highlighted by these website statistics. Blogs have the potential to significantly increase lead generation, with nearly a 70% boost. As previously mentioned, studies reveal that 61% of online consumers in the United States have made purchases influenced by blog recommendations.
In 1997, Jorn Barger, a blogger for Robot Wisdom, introduced the term “weblog” to describe his practice of “logging the web” as he browsed the internet. This term weblog was later shortened to simply “blog” in 1999 by programmer Peter Merholz. Initially, a blog served as a personal notebook. It was a journal where individuals could share their thoughts, information, or opinions on various topics. Initially, blog content was typically posted in a reverse chronological order, with the latest blog entries appearing first. Today, a blog refers to a regularly updated website or web page, serving purposes ranging from personal expression to fulfilling business needs.
Immediately Begin Your Blogging
Blogs are made up of “blog posts”. A blog post is actually an individual page on your website’s blog that dives into a particular sub-topic regarding your business. In short, a blog post is an article. Your blog and its posts will now offer an excellent means to infuse your brand with personality and humanity by conveying your brand values to your audience. It plays a crucial role in enhancing SEO by signaling to search engine crawlers that your website holds authority within your industry.
While the construction of your “core” pages of your website must come first, creating a blog should be not far behind. For factoring brokers and consultants, one of your primary goals is to establish yourself as an expert and an authority in commercial finance. Your blog posts along with blog article insertions in social media is, with out question, the quickest method you can employ to do just that.