Why Your Tara Business Needs a Website (And No, Your Facebook Page Isn't Enough)
A local's guide to getting your Tara business online - from someone who knows the difference between a Chinchilla run and a Sunday drive
G'day Tara business owners! Let's have a chat about getting your business online - and I promise not to mention "digital transformation" or any other fancy city slicker terms that make us all want to roll our eyes.
The Truth About Local Business Websites
You know that moment when you're trying to check if the bakery's open for a quick coffee and smoko, but their Facebook page hasn't been updated since last year's Show? Yeah, we've all been there.
Fun fact: 87% of people check a business online before visiting. That's more reliable than asking at the pub, which is saying something in Tara!
Why Your Business Needs More Than Facebook
Look, I get it. Your Facebook page is working fine. Everyone knows where to find you on Wuth Street, and word of mouth in Tara is faster than the NBN anyway. But here's the thing - we're not just serving locals anymore.
Think about:
- Contractors coming in for work
- Tourists heading to the Festival
- People making the trek from Chinchilla or Dalby
- City folks who wouldn't know a header from a harvester
If you're running any kind of ag service business, having your after-hours contact details clearly visible online could save someone's harvest. No one wants to be scrolling through Facebook at midnight looking for an emergency mechanic.
The "But Everyone Knows Us" Myth
Sure, everyone in town knows your ute. They know your dog. They probably even know what time you grab your morning coffee. But what about:
- The new family that just moved in past the Lagoon?
- Those contractors working on the roads?
- Tourists stopping for fuel on their way west?
If your business isn't properly visible online, you're about as hidden as a road train on Day Street during school pick-up. (Which is to say, not where you want to be!)
What Makes a Good Local Website?
Let's keep it simple. Your website needs to:
- Load faster than a V8 on the Surat Development Road
- Be easier to read than the rainfall gauge
- Work better than the town bore (and that's a low bar, we know)
Check how fast your current website loads
- if you've got one already, it's worth knowing whether it's keeping up with your customers' expectations.
The Local Advantage
Here's where being a Tara business gets interesting. You've got unique advantages that city businesses would kill for:
You know exactly when the busy seasons hit - from harvest time to the Festival of Culture and Catering. Your website can be ready for these peaks before they arrive.Add a simple weather widget to your website. When we're all praying for rain, being the business that shows the forecast makes you everyone's favourite bookmark.
The Real Benefits
Forget the fancy marketing speak. Here's what a good website actually does for your Tara business:
- Lets people find your hours without playing Chinese whispers
- Shows your products/services to folks who can't drop by
- Gives you a professional edge when dealing with city suppliers
- Makes it dead easy for people to contact you
The best part? Unlike your shop on Wuth Street, your website works 24/7. Even when you're at home watching the sunset over the Lagoon, it's still out there working for you.
Let's Get Real
You wouldn't trust a mechanic from Brisbane to fix your header come harvest time. Similarly, you need someone who understands Tara to build your website. Someone who knows that "just past the Lagoon" is a perfectly valid direction, and that "I'll check the website when I get better reception" isn't just a city excuse.
Check Out What We Do
See some of the websites we've built that deliver real results
Ready to Get Your Tara Business Online?
Let's have a chat about getting your business properly set up online. No city slicker jargon, no unnecessary bells and whistles - just a proper website that works as hard as you do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tunoa Johnson
