Our guest blogger this week is Mark Bowley of Bowley Design. With over 15 years' experience in London design agencies, Mark now runs his own small consultancy, focusing on branding and web design. He helps people and businesses create simple, good quality designs that work well and have impact. 

If you run a business, large or small, a website of some sort is pretty much expected these days. But there is a difference between merely having a website and having a good quality website. Investing some time and money into its quality will benefit your business in a number of ways.

1. Building a credible image

If you have your own good quality website you can start to take control of your online reputation and build credibility through it. For example, a well designed website will provide a better experience for visitors – they will start to associate this with your business.

2. Getting found by new customers

A website is like having a shop window for your services, where potential customers can discover you at any time of the day. If you have a good website with some quality content and some basic SEO, new customers could be finding out about you without you having to do anything.

3. Making it easy for customers

Potential or existing customers may want to find information on your business and sometimes they will want to do it without engaging you by telephone. Without an effective website with easy to find information, they may be frustrated or if they're comparing companies they may go elsewhere.

4. Publishing and interacting

A good website is also a good way to promote interaction with your customers. On a basic level it could be something as simple as encouraging them to send you a message or feedback via a form. Or you could incorporate a blog or forum into your website to really start communicating with people.

5. Increasing your reach

An effective website can help you expand into new areas by either promoting a new product or service, or by simply exposing your business far beyond your local geographical area or current marketing reach.

These are just some of the benefits a good website will bring your business. Over time and with continued effort and investment – even on a small scale – your business will start to benefit in many more ways.