2020 is Here. Are Websites Still Relevant?
The average American spends 5.4 hours a day on their phone. Millennials spend slightly more time on their phones (5.7 hours). Most people check their phones 58 times a day!
In 2018, people spent 20% more time using Apps than browsing the web through browsers from their phones. These numbers reveal major challenges for 2020 and pose the question: do websites still matter, or will Apps control the mobile world?
Websites are still very important because:
- Google doesn’t search the content of an App. When you search on Google, you see results related to search terms “read” by Google on the content of websites, not Apps
- Apps require download, authentication, login and not everyone is willing to do it
- 77% of time spent on Apps by users is spent on market giants like Facebook and Instagram
Websites with relevant content attract visitors, promote actions, and turn visitors into satisfied customers who can become your best promoters.
Three Reasons Why Websites Are Here to Stay
1. Tell Your Story the Way You Want It to Be Told
Websites allow complete control over how your story is narrated through elements such as words, icons, drawings, photos, and videos. These elements contribute to creating a platform that is identifiably and functionally your own. No social media site completely allows for this since your brand will always be one of many.
2. Make the Most of Your Marketing Spend
Websites allow you to track the movement of your guests. What platforms are visitors coming from? What do they want? Where do they live? With this analytical gold mine, you can hone in on your marketing strategy and convert more for less.
3. Get Found Online
More than 80,000 Google searches are submitted every second. Ranking highly on Google is no easy task, especially if your only weapon is on social media accounts. With a website in the mix, you are giving yourself a fighting chance. Just remember that getting someone to click on your website is only the first step. You and your landing page have just 7 seconds to convince them they should stay. Make sure your content and call to action are relevant.
Conclusion
The takeaway here is that websites are still relevant in 2020 and will continue to be relevant for years to come. There is no other communication medium that gives you as much control over your content and message as a website. While apps and social media might work for niche groups or price-points, the relatively small investment in your own website pays off immediately.
