Does a Virtual assistant need a website?
There is no hard and fast rule on this. However…
…most well-known and well-established VAs do.
Is it a critical component for VA business success?
Again, there is no scientific proof that it is.
However, if we look at the bigger picture it become obvious that each VA business have in principle 3 main strategic areas (i.e. your clients, your own business and also your competitors) to consider when developing an overall business approach.
Therefore, to decide if a website is necessary and a worthwhile investment for your VA business, it should definitely benefit at least one, but preferably all three strategic areas. Thus, let’s break it down into a few questions and after evaluating each area, you might be in a better situation to make a decision whether you need a website for your Virtual Assistant business.
Area 1: Your Clients / Potential Clients
1. Will your potential clients use the Web to look for information about you?
They may have heard about you from a friend, seen your business card or heard that you’re doing something they’re looking for. If they know who you are and they search the Internet to find out more about you, will they find you?
2. Will potential clients search online for the specific service that you offer? If so, and you’re not listed, that opportunity will be passed on to the next VA who is online
3. Do your potential clients or niche market have web sites themselves?
If they do, they will without doubt consider the Web to be an important business tool and might find it strange if you don’t have an online presence.
Area 2: Your Own Business
1. Do you want to reach a wider customer base?
A VA business can have clients in any part of the world. With a website, you can increase your business exposure and new clients can find you and your services across the globe.
2. Is it important that your business projects a professional image?
Even if you work at home in your pyjamas (who needs to know? 🙂) a well designed web site can project a professional image to the world.
3. Are you running on a tight budget and want to reduce marketing costs?
Getting a website online, can be an initial capital outlay. However, thereafter, continuous on-line marketing is cost effective and using it to drive traffic to your website can lead to more business.
Area 3: Your Competitors
1. Do your competitors have web sites?
The internet opens up the availability of choices and most web users love to “compare before they commit”. If you don’t have a website, but your competition does, you are losing out on potential income. However, with a website you can pre-sell interested prospects into paying clients with all the reasons why your services are better than your competitors’.
2. Are your competitors longer in business?
If you’re just starting out, the Web can help you level the playing field. A professional web site gives the appearance that your business is well-established already and can instil trust and professionalism.
The bottom line: Having a website is an individual choice and there might be many reasons that withhold VAs from developing one. However, there are millions of active internet users worldwide and a lot of them are searching for the services you provide.
I believe it can be compared to the quote of Stuart H. Britt (I just altered it a little bit…)
“For a Virtual Assistant not having a website, is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing but no one else does”
Get in on this debate. We’d love to hear your comments. Do you consider it important for a Virtual Assistant to have a website? What can prevent VAs from having one?
