Building a strong web presence is crucial for business growth. In this article, we will discuss how websites build credibility and enable seamless expansion for businesses. Given the importance of staying ahead with these technologies, especially for SMEs, the DigiAdvance project offers tailored courses on web and cloud technologies to exploit their potential fully.
Today, a company’s website is often the first way customers interact with the brand. It is like a digital business card. A professionally developed website that loads quickly, looks appealing and offers secure transactions helps build trust and confidence in the brand.
Moreover, by leveraging data collected from user interactions, businesses can refine their offerings and create more personalised experiences that meet customer needs. Therefore, a website not only increases a business’s visibility but also provides the framework for growth and scalability.
Nearly 80% of businesses in Europe are online
In 2023, 78% of European businesses had a website. While 95% of large enterprises were online, only 75% of smaller companies had one. However, businesses of all sizes can benefit from having a website, as shown in this video: Why is a Website Important for your Business.
Online shopping has become increasingly popular among European consumers, particularly in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, with 70% of people in the EU purchasing goods or services online last year. This trend has driven e-commerce to account for 5% of Europe’s GDP, generating €958 billion in revenue in 2024 and projected to reach nearly $900 billion by 2028.
How a website can boost business growth
A website amplifies your reach, connecting you with a broader audience across different regions and time zones. Many businesses have already experienced a significant boost in their revenues thanks to their websites.
Ferretería y Herrajes García, a family-owned hardware store founded in 1938, shows how small businesses can grow online. By adopting e-commerce tools, they have expanded into the global market without needing physical expansion. Today, 80% of their sales come from online channels, with nearly half of those from customers outside of Spain. Now, they are a referent in their sector, recognised both nationally and internationally.
Having an online presence allows companies to strengthen their marketing strategies. For example, Pet Sitters Ireland used their website to share practical tips for pet owners, which helped them stand out as experts. This allowed them to build trust and engagement with customers, leading to a 25% increase in revenues.
Moreover, by using data analytics from their online platforms, companies can personalise advertisements and improve their efficiency. A European retail chain applied this approach by tailoring product recommendations and optimising its ads, which resulted in 11% more online sales in just six months.
Seamless scalability with cloud-based solutions
One of the most efficient ways to support your online business is by adopting cloud-based solutions. As the demand for your business grows, cloud infrastructure allows your web applications to grow in parallel, ensuring uninterrupted services for your customers.
Besides, cloud-based web applications ensure that your team can collaborate from anywhere, at any time. As remote work becomes more common, cloud technologies make collaboration between teams and departments much easier.
A good example of how cloud-based solutions can transform operations is Clio. Clio is a Canadian legal tech company, that transformed the way law firms manage their cases, clients, and documents through cloud-based platforms. This shift not only streamlined operations but also enabled Clio to expand globally.
SMEs can also benefit from cloud services as explored in this video: How Cloud services can help SMEs. This approach allows to reduce IT costs and initial investments while offering the flexibility to scale as needed. A study by Google found that SMEs using cloud solutions grow 26% faster and are 21% more profitable than their peers.
Level up with DigiAdvance courses
Within a rapidly changing digital landscape, advancing key digital skill capabilities in the SME sector is crucial to adapt to these trends. The DigiAdvance project aims to address digital skills gaps in the SME sector through the provision of low-cost, demand-driven, tailored training in key digital technologies for SME owners, managers, and employees.
With this objective in mind, DigiAdvance offers three dedicated courses on web development and cloud computing. The course on Cloud Computing trains participants in the practical development of cloud infrastructures using the most current tools and environments to create applications. Front End Web Development focuses on the development of the front-end part of a website (the interface and interaction with the end-user) using the most current tools and environments for developing web applications. Finally, PHP Back End Web Development introduces web systems and architecture, providing participants with the skills to build robust and scalable backend systems.
Web presence can boost the success of any business. An engaging presentation (front-end) is as important as ensuring smooth performance and reliable features (back-end). Having an attractive and high-quality website can unlock new growth opportunities for both big and small companies.