When I ask petrol station owners whether or not they have a website, those who don’t usually say the same thing: “There’s currently no need.” While this may be an easy thing to believe, the facts show that it simply isn’t true. In today’s day and age, all small businesses can benefit from having a working, updated website, no matter the industry they’re in. If you’ve been on the fence about building a website for your petrol station, here are some of the reasons to get online today.
1. Help Your Customers Find You
We live in an online world. Much like social media, equipping your business with a website is simply one of the best ways to make sure you are engaged with your customer base. Between computers, phones, and tablets, the average Australian spends up to seven hours a day wired in. With this much time spent online, failing to put your business into the webspace is inevitably a missed opportunity to directly connect with customers. A website can help you develop your brand, build customer loyalty and engagement, and sends the overall message that you are actively engaged with the modern world of business.
2. Google Can Find You
Be it local restaurants or a place to refuel, Australians searching for a business are most likely to turn to the internet to find a business to meet their needs. If your petrol station is going to become a search result, and therefore become an option for thousands of customers in your area, you’ll need a website. Without an online presence, major search engines such as Google may as well have no idea that you exist.
Once you are online, you have a chance to show up in Google searches. This means that customers searching for petrol and service stations will be able to find your business quickly, drastically increasing your outreach and expanding your potential customer base. The more your website is visited by potential customers, the higher it will rank in search results and the wider your business’s reach will become. If your petrol station is not online, it’s a guarantee that another in the area already is, and their visibility is giving them the upperhand.
3. Keep Your Customers Informed
Have you struggled with keeping customers up to date and informed with changes being made at your petrol station? Trying to figure out how to reach your customers with information about changing hours, services, or new products and promotions? A website is a 24/7 way to keep current and future customers up to date with everything happening at your service station. Not only are you given the tools to provide essential information such as business policies and hours, but you also are given a completely open platform to advertise promotional material and new products. Repeat customers will know to visit your website for updates and changes that may affect them, and you will be able to effectively convey critical information.
This has been prominently demonstrated this year. As the situation with COVID-19 rapidly unfolded and continues to develop, petrol stations hosting a website were given a quick and effective way to communicate policy and service changes with their website. Those without may have been forced to rely on in-store signage, or other, less effective methods of communications. In today’s world, efficacy of communication with your customers is key, and a website is the best way to accomplish it.
4. A Website Adds Credibility
Studies have shown time and time again that consumers consider businesses with a strong website to be more credible than those without an online presence. While a social media presence such as a Facebook page can go a long way in increasing your customer engagement, having an official website gives your petrol station a more professional and legitimate appearance to potential customers. Overall, a well maintained website is an easy and effective way to add credibility to your business, as well as give a stamp of professionalism to your service station. In a market where branding and first impressions are everything, a website is the perfect way to get a leg up.
5. It’s Free With Your ServoPro Membership
If your last hurdle in your decision to build a website for your petrol station is simply the cost, then there’s some good news. One of the many benefits provided to our ServoPro members is a free website. We know that today’s market is competitive, and we’re committed to helping our members have an upperhand by providing them the tools they need to thrive. Part of this is establishing a strong online presence. If you need help or would like to inquire about starting your free website, please reach out. We’d love to help you get started today.