Brick-and-mortar stores are no things of the past—how they operate is simply changing. With a year of avoiding in-store shopping and opting for online or curbside pickup, customers now expect accommodations to help keep them safe. An online presence is paramount for a business to succeed today. Check out some of the top ways having a website helps your business.

It Builds Trust

When people hear about your store, one of the first things they’re likely to do is to look it up online. If nothing comes up about your store or if your store lacks a website altogether, they may not investigate further or bother visiting your location. Having a website builds trust between you and your customer by adding a layer of legitimacy to your business.

It Helps People Find Your Brick-and-Mortar Location

Suppose a potential customer wants to visit your store because they heard about it from a friend. In that case, they’re most likely to look up either your Google My Business listing or your website for the correct address and the hours of operation. Having your own website legitimizes the information about your business’s location and operating hours. Customers will feel more inclined to visit your location if they can find the address from the source.

It Opens Up the Possibility of Online Sales

Whether you want to run an e-commerce business or you’re just thinking of ways to expand your audience, launching a website can help you achieve these goals. Offering some of your products online is a great way to expand your business. With a website comes more responsibility, though, so be sure to monitor your website and be on the lookout for signs it might have been hacked to avoid compromising your customers’ information.

Having a website doesn’t mean the end of your brick-and-mortar store—rather, it could mean gaining an extra layer of trust and legitimacy. These are just a few of the ways having a website helps your business.