Many people begin their businesses thinking about how they’re going to utterly revolutionize their particular field, and offer a product or service that is so good and innovative, that it’ll inevitably take all would-be customers by storm.

The only issue with this, is that it often represents a mentality of putting the cart before the horse, or at the very least, misunderstanding the importance of some fundamentals in business.

To begin with, having a great product is essential, but without a good and committed approach to marketing, it’s entirely likely that your product will never come to the attention of the vast majority of those who might otherwise be tempted to make a purchase.

Another related area where many people fall short, is in failing to comprehend the incredible importance of leveraging their website for the greatest possible impact.

Here are some reasons why you simply cannot afford for your professional website to be amateurish, and why it matters more to your professional success than you may realize.

In the digital age, your website is your storefront and billboard all in one

You may that the basic website that you’ve cobbled together in an afternoon, containing photos of yourself lifted from Instagram, is a convincing enough platform for your customers, but you might be surprised if you knew just how much of a difference in engagement you might have if you had relied on professional web design services instead.

In the digital age, your website is your storefront and your billboard all in one. It’s the place where the majority of your prospective customers will, in all likelihood, first encounter you, and for that reason, it’s essential that you spare no effort in offering the best first impression possible, via your site.

People will often scan your website before making a decision on using your services

Customers and clients generally look for signifiers of trustworthiness before making a purchase. Whether or not your business is primarily web-based, your website will inevitably be one of the first places where people look when trying to make a decision on whether or not to use your services.

Just as a buyer would shy away from a product that he had found appealing only moments ago, if he noticed that all the reviews were one star, so too can you expect people to shy away from you if, upon visiting your website, they get a sense that you’re unprofessional, amateurish, or otherwise untrustworthy.

Choose your website layout with care, and be mindful of how the text on your landing page is worded, too.

Your website is, itself, a measure of your professionalism and credentials

Related to the last point, your website will, for better or worse, often be used as a yardstick by which to judge your overall professionalism and credentials.

The assumption is generally made that successful, prosperous business have glossy, professionally done websites, with plenty of engaging copy and glowing testimonials on display.

Fall short of this ideal, and you may find yourself unfairly sidelined and undervalued, whether or not you’re a veteran professional in your field.