BACK
Five Reasons Why Businesses Need a Website
Taylor Tunnison • January 21, 2022

There are many reasons why businesses need a website, but about a quarter of small businesses don’t have one. This may be because small teams rarely have the time, skills, or spare capital to build their own. Some might even think they don’t need one if they already have a strong social media following. In reality, every business needs a website because it builds trust, customers expect it, and the ROI is undeniable.

1. Customers Are Online

The internet has transformed the way modern businesses operate. In the past, entrepreneurs were able to build a company with nothing more than a single physical storefront. This is rarely the case these days, as the average American spends about 7 hours online per day. Customers now expect to find information about products and services online. Whether they need new shoes, directions, or a question answered, internet users usually begin with a search engine.


Search engines rank websites based on hundreds of factors including content, activity, and optimization. Highly ranked websites receive a majority of search engine traffic, which means they attract the most attention. In fact, over 70% of users never go past the first page of Google Search results. Businesses that take advantage of this position themselves for success since consumers conduct research online before making a purchase. They use websites and search engines to verify business phone numbers, locations, hours of operation, and products or services. If you don’t have a website, it communicates that your company doesn’t prioritize customer service. That’s certainly not the signal you want to be sending.

2. Websites Build Trust

Websites serve a wide variety of purposes. From online shopping to education and entertainment, the potential applications are nearly limitless. This presents an excellent opportunity for companies to establish and develop their credibility from the very first click. A report from Stanford University found that 75% of internet users judge a company’s credibility based on web design. Businesses which adapt to this fact may gain a leg up on their competition over time.

 

Consumers are becoming tech-savvy, eagerly discovering and researching their new favorite brands online. They want to know whether or not a business is authentic. That’s why it’s so important to have a website that displays an address, if possible, and a phone number. This encourages individuals to get in touch with you at a moment’s notice. A custom domain name also shows that you genuinely value the user’s experience. Ideally, it should be short, simple, and directly related to your company’s name or industry.

3. Identity Creates Connection

An optimized website builds a solid online foundation for any organization. It can be thoroughly customized with unique branding elements like logos, slogans, colors, and designs. This helps to establish any company’s brand identity, which affects how individuals perceive its goals, vision, and purpose.


Consumer behavior is often driven by what others have to say about a company. They expect to be able to view a website for more information about a particular brand. Providing this digital reference is a great way to develop long-term trust with diverse audiences. People tend to respond best to brands that prioritize innovative insights, greater usability, and global perspectives. Over time, companies that acknowledge and orient towards such priorities separate themselves from competitors. Distinct brand identities encourage connection with those who share values through genuine emotional responses.


Truly genuine brands are widely recognized as industry leaders. These companies set the competitive pace and pave the way for others to follow. Their websites are visually appealing, user-friendly resources that educate visitors, showcase achievements, and make it easy to get in touch.

4. Ecommerce Boosts Sales

Online sales are exploding, and this trend is expected to continue. Put simply, websites are basically digital storefronts. Even if you don’t consider yourself an ecommerce company, an online store can boost in-person sales. It supplements revenue by allowing new customers to easily find your products and services with a quick search.


A website isn’t only for reaching customers across the country, either. It’s also a great way to attract nearby shoppers because many online searches come from locals looking to buy. This is especially true of mobile users searching for a store, restaurant, or service provider while on the go. If your company’s website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re missing out on opportunities to attract nearby customers. Online shopping is the new normal, and mobile users expect high-functioning digital stores. Brands across various industries recognize this digital shift and are investing in online shopping experiences. In fact, data suggests that 10 years’ worth of ecommerce growth occurred in the first quarter of 2020 alone.


Consumers often prefer brands that provide free shipping, delivery tracking, and are environmentally conscious. They expect easy online browsing, simple customization, and secure payment across a wide age range of browsers and devices. Not only are online stores helpful for shoppers, they benefit businesses, too. Google research shows that consumers who interacted with business websites and mobile apps together spent more money on average. Their loyalty seemed to improve, as well, which translated to higher customer lifetime values. Meet your customers online and they’re much more likely to make return purchases moving forward.

5. Digital Marketing Works

Companies without a website often use traditional methods like print, TV, and radio ads to promote products and services. However, placing ads in expensive and outdated channels is rarely the best use of funds. Fortunately, digital approaches are a great way to improve marketing efficiency. 


Websites are now fairly affordable and give businesses access to a far wider audience than conventional marketing channels. Furthermore, hours spent online increase year-after-year, as do the total number of internet users. By maintaining a stellar website, your business can offer value and connect with both new and repeat customers.


One of the best digital techniques is known as content marketing. This strategic approach involves consistently offering engaging resources that answer questions and provide people with real benefits. It often increases sales, generates more leads, and costs less than traditional advertising methods. The value of content cannot be overstated in a world with countless sources of online education and entertainment. It can take almost any form, such as eBooks, blog posts, news articles, podcasts, videos, and live webinars. Business websites can easily feature any of these resources for free or a fee. Effective content marketing promotes brand loyalty and genuine emotional connections which can last a lifetime.


Websites are essential for marketing in the 21st century. When designed properly, they load quickly, provide value, and can even support 24/7 online shopping. Consumers expect to find their favorite brands on the internet, especially via search engines like Google. Companies that wish to be competitive in the digital age owe it to themselves and their customers to be online. If your business still needs a website or you have questions, we hope you’ll contact us for more information. We’d be honored to help you successfully navigate the rising tide of digital marketing strategies.


Originally published on January 21st, 2021

Are You Interested In More?

SCHEDULE A MEETING

Share This Post With Your Friends

Latest Posts

How AI Helps Search Engines Understand Your Website Better

October 7, 2025
Search engine optimization (SEO) has come a long way from simply stuffing pages with keywords. Today, search engines are far smarter, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that analyzes, interprets, and ranks content based on real-world relevance. If you’ve ever wondered why some websites consistently appear at the top of Google while others lag behind, AI is a huge part of the answer. In this blog, we’ll explain how AI helps search engines understand your website better and why integrating AI-friendly practices like structured data can boost your online visibility. The Role of AI in Modern Search AI allows search engines to move beyond literal keyword matching. Instead of only scanning for exact phrases, AI evaluates: Context and meaning: Understanding what your content is actually about. User intent: Determining if your page answers the searcher’s question. Content quality: Evaluating whether your website provides value, clarity, and expertise. Behavior signals: Analyzing click-through rates, time on page, and bounce rates to assess usefulness. Google’s AI models are designed to interpret language more like a human does. This means search engines can understand nuances, synonyms, and even implied meanings, making AI critical in determining which websites deserve top placement. How Structured Data Fits In While AI is powerful on its own, it performs best when combined with structured data, such as JSON-LD schema markup. Structured data helps AI interpret the meaning of your website’s content more accurately. For example: Without structured data, a page about a landscaping company might just look like a block of text. With JSON-LD schema, AI can see: Business type: Landscaping Service Services offered: Lawn Care, Tree Trimming, Garden Design Location and hours Reviews and ratings This extra context allows search engines to display rich results in search listings, making your business more visible and clickable. Why AI + Structured Data Matters Integrating AI-friendly SEO practices like schema markup has several benefits: 1. Enhanced Search Visibility Rich results like star ratings, FAQs, and event listings help your page stand out in search. AI can identify the most relevant content and present it in ways users are more likely to click. 2. Improved User Experience When AI better understands your content, it can match users with the pages that best answer their questions, creating a smoother journey from search to conversion. 3. Higher Click-Through Rates (CTR) Pages with structured data often see higher CTR because search results are more informative and visually engaging. 4. Future-Proof SEO As AI becomes more central to search engines, websites optimized for AI understanding will outperform competitors who rely solely on traditional SEO techniques. Final Thoughts  AI is no longer the future of search but it’s the present. The better search engines understand your website, the more likely they are to rank it prominently and deliver it to the right audience. By combining AI-friendly strategies with structured data implementation, your website becomes not only more visible but also more relevant, more clickable, and more effective at converting visitors into customers. Ignoring AI and structured data means leaving potential traffic and revenue on the table. Embrace it, and your website can work smarter, not harder, in today’s competitive search landscape.

The Power of Visual Content in Digital Storytelling

October 7, 2025
In today’s fast-paced digital world, people don’t just want information, they want experiences. And the most powerful way to deliver those experiences is through visual storytelling. Whether it’s a striking photo, a behind-the-scenes video, or an animated explainer, visual content has the ability to capture attention, spark emotion, and move audiences to action in ways words alone cannot. At True North Technologies , we believe storytelling is the heartbeat of effective marketing. Here’s why visual content is such a critical part of that story and how your business can use it to make a lasting impact. Why Visuals Matter in Storytelling The human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text. This means that when your audience sees a compelling photo or video, they absorb and connect with your message almost instantly. Pair that with the fact that people retain 80% of what they see (compared to only 20% of what they read), and it’s easy to see why visuals are the backbone of digital storytelling. Visuals also add depth to your narrative. A photo of your team working together says “collaboration” without needing a single caption. A video testimonial from a customer brings authenticity that written words can’t fully capture. By layering images and video with written content, your story becomes more immersive, memorable, and impactful. The Emotional Power of Visual Content Storytelling isn’t just about facts—it’s about feelings. Visuals tap into emotions quickly and effectively. Consider these examples: Photos : A vibrant product shot creates desire. A candid employee photo creates trust. Videos : Music, motion, and facial expressions stir emotions, making your story relatable. Graphics & Animation : Simplify complex ideas and make them accessible. By evoking emotions like excitement, trust, or even nostalgia, visuals create a connection that drives loyalty. This emotional layer is what transforms passive viewers into engaged customers. Visual Storytelling Across Digital Platforms Every platform your business uses is an opportunity to tell your story visually: Websites : First impressions count. Hero images, banners, and explainer videos introduce your brand instantly. At True North Technologies, we design websites that integrate photography and video seamlessly to keep visitors engaged longer. Social Media : Eye-catching visuals are the key to standing out in crowded feeds. From Instagram reels to LinkedIn infographics, strong visuals encourage shares, likes, and comments. Explore how our Social Media Management services can help maximize your presence. Email Campaigns : Emails with visuals have significantly higher click-through rates. Including photos, GIFs, or short videos makes your message more engaging and memorable. Digital Ads : A well-designed ad with striking visuals grabs attention and drives conversions. Pairing imagery with precise targeting increases ROI. When used consistently across these platforms, visuals create a cohesive brand identity that audiences can instantly recognize. Visual Content and SEO: A Winning Combination Visual storytelling isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s also a critical component of search engine optimization (SEO). Optimized images and videos improve your website’s performance by: Increasing time-on-page Lowering bounce rates Appearing in Google Image and Video search results Improving accessibility with alt text and descriptive captions At True North Technologies, our SEO strategies integrate visual content to ensure your brand not only looks great but also ranks higher in search results. Practical Tips for Strong Visual Storytelling If you’re ready to make your content more visual, here are some practical steps to get started: Invest in Professional Photography & Videography – High-quality visuals elevate your brand above competitors. Be Authentic – Use behind-the-scenes photos or real customer stories to build trust. Stay Consistent – Align colors, styles, and tone across platforms to reinforce brand recognition. Focus on Your Audience – Tailor visuals to the preferences and behaviors of your target market. Measure and Refine – Track engagement metrics to see what resonates and refine your strategy accordingly. Why Work with True North Technologies? Visual storytelling requires more than just pretty pictures—it requires strategy. At True North Technologies, we combine creative visuals with data-driven insights to craft stories that align with your business goals. Our team can help you: Develop a unified brand aesthetic Capture professional photos and videos Integrate visuals into websites, ads, and social media Optimize visual content for SEO performance Build scalable marketing systems that grow with your business By blending creativity, technology, and strategy, we help businesses tell stories that inspire action. Final Thoughts The power of visual content in digital storytelling cannot be overstated. It’s the difference between being noticed and being remembered. By integrating photography, videography, and graphic design into your marketing strategy, you can create stories that resonate deeply with your audience and drive measurable results. Ready to transform your brand’s story? Explore our Services or Contact Us today to see how True North Technologies can help bring your story to life through the power of visuals.
Google search results

Why JSON-LD Is the Hidden SEO Boost Most Businesses Ignore

September 19, 2025
When most business owners think about SEO, their minds jump straight to keywords, backlinks, and content creation. And while those are still important, there’s another powerful factor quietly shaping how your website performs in Google search results: structured data, specifically JSON-LD. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. Many businesses, even those actively investing in SEO completely overlook this hidden boost. The good news? Once implemented, JSON-LD can dramatically improve how search engines interpret and present your site, helping you stand out from competitors and attract more clicks. What Exactly Is JSON-LD? JSON-LD (JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data) is a type of structured data markup. Think of it as a translator between your website and google. While humans can easily read your page and understand context, search engines need a little extra help. JSON-LD provides that help by telling Google what your content means, not just what it says. For example: A human can tell that “Main Street Coffee” is a coffee shop. Google only knows its text, unless you use structured data to label it as a Local Business with a specific location, hours, and menu. That’s where JSON-LD comes in. It helps search engines display rich results (sometimes called “rich snippets”) like star ratings, FAQs, event times, recipes, product prices, and more. Why Most Businesses Ignore JSON-LD There are two big reasons structured data is often skipped: It sounds too technical. Business owners hear “schema markup” or “JSON-LD” and assume it’s something only developers need to worry about. It’s not as visible as keywords. Because you don’t “see” structured data when browsing a website, it’s easy to assume it doesn’t matter. But ignoring it leaves opportunity on the table. Google itself has confirmed that structured data helps search engines better understand your site and can unlock enhanced visibility in search results. The Real Benefits of JSON-LD for SEO So, what happens when you actually implement JSON-LD on your website? Here are the biggest advantages: 1. Increased Visibility in Search Rich results like product images, reviews, or FAQs make your listing stand out. A plain blue link is easy to scroll past, but a listing with stars, pricing, or a Q&A section catches the eye. 2. Higher Click-Through Rates (CTR) More visibility means more clicks. Studies show that websites with rich results consistently earn higher CTR compared to those without. 3. Future-Proof SEO Search is evolving quickly with AI and voice search. Structured data makes your site easier for these technologies to interpret, setting you up for long-term success. 4. Better Local Search Performance For local businesses, JSON-LD can highlight hours, reviews, and location details directly in search which is crucial for customers deciding where to go next. A Simple Example Let’s say you run a local coffee shop. Without structured data, Google sees your page as just text: “We’re open Monday–Friday, 7am–6pm.” With JSON-LD, you can tell Google: Business type: Coffee Shop Address: 123 Main Street, Lincoln, NE Hours: Mon–Fri 7am–6pm Menu: Linked to your site The result? When someone searches “coffee shop near me,” your business has a higher chance of showing up with enhanced details that grab attention. Why Now Is the Time to Act With AI-powered search rolling out and Google continually prioritizing user experience, structured data isn’t optional anymore, it’s becoming the standard. Businesses that add JSON-LD now will gain a competitive advantage, while those who wait risk falling behind. And the best part? Unlike ongoing SEO tasks like blogging or link building, structured data setup is typically a one-time project that delivers lasting benefits. Final Thoughts SEO is about more than just ranking; it’s about being noticed and clicked. JSON-LD may be behind the scenes, but its impact on how your business shows up online is front and center. If you’ve been investing in SEO but aren’t seeing the results you expected, structured data might be the missing piece.  Don’t ignore this hidden boost. With the right setup, you can turn your website into a search-friendly powerhouse that gets found, clicked, and chosen.