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Does an offline marketer really need a website?

by Daniel LaRusso
21 replies
With being able to get a gmail address, YouTube channel, Google+ profile, Facebook, Twitter, etc, is it really necessary as an offline marketer to have your own domain and website?

If your intent is to seek out customers and prospect, them rely on referrals, could you do all this without your own website?

When asked about it by a business, your response could be basically that your specialty is getting businesses found on the Internet, and having new customers tell them "I found you online". So your focus is growing their business, basically
#marketer #offline #website
  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Yes.. Offline marketers do need a website, otherwise you have credibility issues. If you aren't using the same tactics you would use to generate customers for your clients, for yourself, then why should they believe you?
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    • Profile picture of the author kirbymarketingconcierge
      can the bulk of biz. owners (the average joe biz) tell the difference between
      a website... and an easy, cheap, & fast long landing page????

      if you need "credibility" to make the sale...is it best to sell yourself before anything else????
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    • Profile picture of the author Ethan F.
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      Yes.. Offline marketers do need a website, otherwise you have credibility issues. If you aren't using the same tactics you would use to generate customers for your clients, for yourself, then why should they believe you?

      No, you don't "need" a website.

      It probably wouldn't hurt you. I don't think I've ever lost a sale because I didn't have one. I have a strong offline business going on 3 years now and have no website/business cards etc. All I have is a linkedin but it doesn't get traffic/used. Got my first client cold calling and offering results in advance, from there I've never had problems landing clients in fact 95% of prospects don't ask if I have a website.

      Originally Posted by kirbymarketingconcierge View Post

      can the bulk of biz. owners (the average joe biz) tell the difference between
      a website... and an easy, cheap, & fast long landing page????

      if you need "credibility" to make the sale...is it best to sell yourself before anything else????
      when I'm selling myself the last thing I'm doing is talking about my website.

      Showing them results/giving references of previous clients is a million times more important, and is all I have needed to close deals
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    • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      Yes.. Offline marketers do need a website, otherwise you have credibility issues. If you aren't using the same tactics you would use to generate customers for your clients, for yourself, then why should they believe you?
      That is just silly bro.

      When are you telling them about your website?

      Before the sale? ... as in check out my awesome site for credibility?
      You are losing sales if you are.

      After the sale? ... as in thanks for giving me money.. now check out
      my site so you know i did not scam you?

      Don't ask, don't tell is a great policy.
      A better one is "never mention, ever"

      side note:
      Its been 6 months or so since we talked, how are you doing?
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      Selling Ain't for Sissies!
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        I don't tell clients about my website. But I have a few to promote my offline marketing business. I've had a very few prospects ask if I had a website. But I've had several tell me that they went to my website to check me, and my business, out.

        I also use it to host articles and videos. It helps get them ranked.

        So, I wouldn't rely on it to do marketing for you....but if you are an online guy anyway...why wouldn't you have one? They are practically free. A free blog is a good substitute, I suppose.

        It's such an easy thing to do.

        I never direct prospects to my website. I'll ask hem if they were on it, but I never direct them there.
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  • Profile picture of the author Peter Lessard
    This is a matter of personal choice. I personally always went with having a web site. Later on I branded myself instead of my company and a web site seemed a natural flow of a way to share information. Further to that as the years have passed there have been countless web sites/landing pages created just used in the sales funnel. Send them email, direct them to embedded video on site x. I view my stable of web sites now as a great asset I have built over time. Every once in a while I revisit a niche or trend and drive more leads to that site I built years ago and generate more sales.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    To start with no.

    I did run into prospects who asked to see my website
    and wanted me to have business cards. (I was starting with
    no budget or funds.) I did not bring the subject up. They did.

    But, very, very helpful - just about a necessity - as a credibility tool
    and as part of your sales and marketing process (lead generation).
    (Unless you market like Claude, via writing books and speaking. lol)
    Dan
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    "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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  • Profile picture of the author Huskerdarren
    I agree with iamnameless. I am going online first to check out a prospective vendor. I want to look at portfolios, philosophies and testimonials. I've seen some big boasts on here from people selling this and that, and when I checked their online presence, it frequently screamed 'AMATEUR'. You can trust my awesome copy writing skills, just don't look under the hood at my crappy web design.
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  • Profile picture of the author mckennabrowny
    Of course you need a website. Iamnameless said it best as it is a credibility issue. I can't tell you how many times I been speaking to a business owner on the phone while they are at their desk and ask about me and my website. The second they go to my site and see my services and what I do it puts the client at ease. Plus it makes you look professional as well.
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by kenmichaels View Post

      That is just silly bro.

      When are you telling them about your website?

      Before the sale? ... as in check out my awesome site for credibility?
      You are losing sales if you are.

      After the sale? ... as in thanks for giving me money.. now check out
      my site so you know i did not scam you?

      Don't ask, don't tell is a great policy.
      A better one is "never mention, ever"

      side note:
      Its been 6 months or so since we talked, how are you doing?
      If I were a regular business owner and someone called me wanting to bring me more leads via the internet and they don't even have a website then why on earth would I use them? If an SEO company is calling wanting to JV on some stuff and they aren't even ranking for the keywords they're aiming for, why would I do anything with them?

      That's like you selling mobile renegade, but not ever using it for yourself. It's like Claude selling Vacuumes without having any inventory whatsoever. It is like Jason Kanigan selling the little unsure technique but him not believing it to be useful for himself.

      I think a problem people have on this forum, is they believe making sales is all it takes in running a business. Look at all the threads in the offline forum, half are about how to acquire customers, or generate sales.

      There is a difference between being in sales, and being in marketing. An offline marketer certainly does need a website. A salesman, of course doesn't need a website.

      A poll on the Chicago Tribune website last year asked readers, Does a business need a website for you to become a customer? Almost 70% said yes.

      I think you absolutely have a credibility issue if you do not have a website but you're selling websites... or selling the importance of an offline presence.

      This really shouldn't even be up for debate. Are people really lazy enough to not get a website up for themselves when they're offering related services?
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
    A website is one of the ways you convey how you are the right person to help them with their online needs. Without a website, how are you relevant to them? That's like going to a baker, that's never baked any bread. Of course you need a website now days.
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    • Profile picture of the author midasman09
      Banned
      I'm sorry BUT...all of the above is "Crapola" (imho) The ONLY thing biz owners are interested in NOWADAYS is...."How You Gonna Git ME more Biz! (Excuse my "South-Side Chgo Lingo)

      What if "little ol' you" were to .....GIT YER POTENTIAL PROSPECTS PHONE TO RING AND....Your Prospective client picks up the phone and hears, "Howdy! Here's another Lead from "Joe Blow Marketing"...and connects to a REAL, LIVE consumer....wanting to do business?

      So....it is NOW 2013! TIME to provide PROOF of how, little ol' YOU can git their phone to ring!

      FerGit da SEO and Social Links and "Ya Gotta have a Website" bingo, bango! ALL THEY WANT IS NEW CUSTOMERS/PATIENTS!!!

      If little ol' YOU can bring them ....YOU are the "Go To Guy"!

      And.....there's no better way to PROVE that...YOU....are THE guy than to send them some BONAFIDE Leads.

      My long-time 2-fold "Closer" is;
      1) Here's what I did for "This" client

      2) Howdy....it was ME who sent those last 3 LEADS to you! If ya wanna git some more o dese HOT PROSPECTS.....respond to dis email or gimme a call at...555....

      My old saying is....."THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING"

      My goodness folks..... this Internet Stuff is so much easier to sell than anything I've ever sold....it is PATHETIC!

      My Goodness.....YOU can set up a Demo Video with YOUR prospect's biz....send an email with subject line that says;
      "Google Your Biz Name to see the Video I created for you!"

      WOW! Excuse me but....this does NOT take "Rocket Science" to start collecting $200....$300... or even $500 a MONTH!

      Don Alm.....marketing guy
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      • Profile picture of the author eperkins153
        Originally Posted by midasman09 View Post


        WOW! Excuse me but....this does NOT take "Rocket Science" to start collecting $200....$300... or even $500 a MONTH!

        Don Alm.....marketing guy
        What a long rant.... When I finally reached the bottom I understood how you could possibly think a website is not vital to a REAL COMPANY.

        What your describing is a small service that you offer for a small price. What others on here with some sense are saying is that if you want to be a COMPANY that does $10,000+ monthly contract agreements with other REAL CORPORATIONS.

        THEN YOU NEED A WEBSITE !!!

        If you want to keep selling your leads for quick couple hundred dollar pay days then do that and you could probably make it without one. But if you want to step up to the big leagues and sell to become a multi million dollar real company then YOU NEED A WEBSITE.
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        • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
          Real corporations?

          Puma and 10 #1 retail brands are my clients.

          Had no website when we contacted them.

          No referral.

          Approached cold.

          Still no website.

          Never asked to see a website.

          They re-order by phone or a gmail account.

          Puma re-ordered yesterday by phone.

          Best,
          Ewen
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          • Profile picture of the author eperkins153
            Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

            Real corporations?

            Puma and 10 #1 retail brands are my clients.

            Had no website when we contacted them.

            No referral.

            Approached cold.

            Still no website.

            Never asked to see a website.

            They re-order by phone or a gmail account.

            Puma re-ordered yesterday by phone.

            Best,
            Ewen
            Real corporations have websites.

            Those "retailers" you have as clients supposedly also HAVE WEBSITES.

            Its about having pride in your company, and what you do for a living which is help people have a more professional online presence and achieve online success marketing their business.

            The very foundation of that requires for the company to have a website, and if I'm trying to get someone else to do something that I'm not even doing myself well to me that's a scam artist NOT a professional consultant.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeffery Moss
    You could just as easily use your Google+ or Facebook page as your website and buy a domain name to point to it. Then you would simply publish your domain name on business cards, flyers and other advertisements distributed offline. The page would serve the same purpose as a website.
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  • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
    When you're getting started you don't need a website
    to get your first clients.

    It is wise to have your own website though for multiple
    reasons.

    Generally speaking you don't want to be relying wholly on
    sites you have no control over.

    Remember that sites like Facebook can can do change the
    rules overnight and you can lose everything you've built
    if it's the only channel you're using.

    Kindest regards,
    Andrew Cavanagh
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

      Real corporations?

      Puma and 10 #1 retail brands are my clients.

      Had no website when we contacted them.

      No referral.

      Approached cold.

      Still no website.

      Never asked to see a website.

      They re-order by phone or a gmail account.

      Puma re-ordered yesterday by phone.

      Best,
      Ewen
      But you aren't offering web design.
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      • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        But you aren't offering web design.
        Correct.

        If you think in terms of getting your message in front of your target audience,
        then it broadens where that can be.

        Using myself as an example.

        I post replies to help wanted on this Forum.

        I post things that members may find valuable.

        In my sig I have a way for readers to find out more what I have to offer.

        I get consulting clients and ad writing clients from this.

        My trust and reputation is all here for people to see.

        Clients get to see how I interact with people.

        They get to see my level of expertise.

        Your own website and blog doesn't allow the same interaction as a forum.

        A client does the same thing on Linkedin.

        She works in the areas of lead generation and website optimization.

        Has had founders of yoghurt and pizza chains contact her.

        She has built trust and reputation.

        She has no website.

        When people come to you with that built in trust and reputation,
        a website becomes a non issue.

        If people bring up the topic of your website,
        then the root cause is you haven't built the level of trust and reputation
        needed for the prospect to hand over money.

        Best,
        Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    I really can't believe people are debating this.. if you're offering online services and you don't have a website then you either don't take yourself seriously, or you're just lazy. You can offer plenty of rebuttals about why you don't have one or don't need it but come on now.. lol.
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      I really can't believe people are debating this.. if you're offering online services and you don't have a website then you either don't take yourself seriously, or you're just lazy. You can offer plenty of rebuttals about why you don't have one or don't need it but come on now.. lol.
      Well, not having a website hasn't stopped a food chain with 25 locations across USA, a Pizza chain across USA with plans for international expansion,
      a marketing guru to a large group of contractors, seek out my client.

      They are real as another client of mine has spoken with one of them.

      Bit like the debates as whether cold calling, emailing, Yellow Pages ads, direct mail, newspaper ads don't work.

      They all can work, if you know how to do it.

      Never have said one shouldn't have a website.

      Best,
      Ewen
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