Staying web savvy vital to rankings

IF YOU don’t embrace the internet in business and don’t have at least a website, then you are living in the dark ages.

Websites are key to business growth, as is social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

Most business operators know the value of having a good website that is attractive and easy to navigate. Unbelievably there are still many businesses that do not have a website or any online presence. They say they are more than happy with their performance and don’t want to expand.

Furthermore, company websites must be upgraded to be easily seen on mobile phones.

In April while visiting Cairns, Sensis chief executive John Allan said nearly half of the city’s residents used their smartphones instead of computers to access the internet. He warned that businesses were losing trade after Google introduced changes that gave priority to websites designed for mobiles and tablets.

Mr Allan said there was evidence of businesses losing out because their searches had dropped dramatically in Google rankings.

Almost three-quarters of websites are not mobile responsive. Sensis research shows 74 per cent of Cairns residents searched for a product online in the past month and almost 70 per cent used social media.

Bransfords Discount Tackle Shop, whose site had not been refurbished for years, has seen how vital an up-to-date website is. Not only is a full upgrade under way, but it will be easily used by smartphone and tablet operators.