According to Internet World Stats, there were 46,870,422 internet users in Kenya as of 21st December 2019. These stats are important to every business owner who targets audiences in Kenya.
One out of every four Kenyan consumers browses for products and services. (Source: Global consumer research firm Nielsen). Even without reading the rest of this article, this is just full proof why you need to have a website in Kenya.
This post will explain to you in detail why you need a professional, well-designed, responsive website in Kenya.
Why Do You Need To Have a Website in Kenya?
Suppose we have two business persons; James and John who are in the same business field, the clothing industry. Both have beautiful well-stocked stalls in the city and provide incredible services. John has a website & James has none.
Owning a website in Kenya gives you credibility
84% of today’s consumers think a website makes your business more credible than companies who only have social media profiles. Your website is also the perfect place to show off any professional certifications or awards your business has. (Source: Verisign)
A business person who invests in a website gains more credibility from the consumer. With the rise of fraudulent online business in Kenya, it is imperative to own a website in Kenya. This is because you will gain more credibility from your clients. A fraud rarely invests in permanent things like a website.
So many people, when they want to find out more about a business or product, they research online. Making payments to a recognized brand online is safer and easier than sending cash directly to a mobile number. In our case scenario, it will be easier for a client to buy directly from John’s website than send cash directly to James’ mobile number.
A website advertises you 24/7
According to Google, 97% of consumers go online to find and research local businesses.
While James will be busy posting on Facebook Groups and disturbing people’s peace on WhatsApp with product catalogs, John’s website will advertise him all around the globe even when he is asleep.
Suppose both of them do an ad on a WhatsApp Group – James’ will post photos of his products and an Ad text like this (Fancy ladies’ dresses in Kenya with unique colors and designs. Call: 0722 123 XXX)
Instead of posting photos to spam the group, John will post a link to his online catalogue and an Ad text like this (Fancy ladies’ dresses in Kenya with unique colors and designs. Explore our wide range of products on our website – www.johnswebsite.co.ke/products. Call: 0722 234 XXX or Email: info@johnswebsite.co.ke)
While James is advertising one product, John advertises all his products at a go as he directs his clients to his website where they will not only explore ladies’ dresses but also tank-tops, hoodies, T-Shirts etc.
A website tells the consumer who you are about
A website helps you answer three major questions: Who are you? What do you do/offer? How to contact you?
While we (in our WhatsApp Group) know James for spamming us with photos and ads, we, on the other hand, know that John runs a credible clothing business because we have visited his well-designed, professional, and responsive e-commerce website.
A website provides accessibility around the clock
James get’s tons of inquiries on his WhatsApp account. He has to answer every simple inquiry he gets and send and resend photos of new stock that he has. He also has to update the client whether a particular clothing is in stock or not.
Since John has a catalog online? He doesn’t have to send and resend photos to clients on WhatsApp but rather send them an updated link of his online catalog which automatically notifies clients if an item is in stock or not.
As a client, I cannot contact James in the middle of the night because probably he is asleep but I can always access John’s website at any time.
Having a website in Kenya makes you look professional
Verisign says that 74% of clients would trust a company-branded email address more so than a free email address.
James includes his email in his text ads. He adds something like; email us at jamesclothes2673@gmail.com. John, on the other hand, says: email us at info@johnswebsite.co.ke. As a client, which company will you trust?
Payments made easy
A website offers easy and secure online payments. John can integrate an online payment system with diverse payment options e.g. VISA, Mastercard, Lipa na MPESA etc.
It will be easy for John to sell his products even to expatriates who have got no MPESA than James who only sells on his social media. People visiting Kenya can visit John’s Website and buy online using their VISA & Mastercards because of payment convenience.
As a client, will you rather browse through John’s website, add your items to cart and checkout through Lipa na MPESA or keep waiting for James to send you items on WhatsApp and for him to finally give you another number to send the payment?
How much anxiety will you have when that number reads some weird name on MPESA? This is why owning an e-commerce website in Kenya will make your clients feel safer.
A website saves you money
Let’s look at John and James’ business processes. James has to go to social groups and post his stuff and when he gets potential clients, he will have to send them individual items because his catalog is on his phone.
When a client is interested, he will then have to negotiate with the client on pricing and answer so many questions about his location, delivery, and to prove his credibility since there are so many frauds in Kenya and owning a website in Kenya improves the chances of you not being marked as a fraudster.
A client visiting John’s website will not need his interaction. He/she will go online, shop for the item they wish and they might even provide their residential address as they are checking out to get their product delivered.
John has not only created a business for a delivery guy but he has also diversified his business since he earns from the delivery business too. All information about John’s business is online. He saves immensely on data, calls, and time and we all know that time is money.
Conclusion
There are tons of reasons why you need a website for your business and we have just summarized to the top 7 reasons why you need to have a website in Kenya.
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