The Importance of Commercial Visibility for Federal Contractors
The U.S. Federal Government is the largest consumer of goods and services in the world. Last year the federal government contracted for approximately $566 billion in purchases, and small businesses earned over $154.20 billion of this market. Have you been thinking about how to get your piece of this pie?
When marketing to the federal government or any state or local agency, commercial visibility is an important first step in establishing your credibility. In today’s day-and-age a business, whether large or small, should not be without a website presence and an email address to match.
Your website is one of the first places a contracting officer, program manager or small business specialist goes to learn more about your company and screen you for government contracting projects. If you don’t have a website, you have lost the opportunity before you can even begin.
Studies show that first impressions are 94% design related. Furthermore, 75% of consumers make a judgement on a company’s credibility based on their website design. Does your website make a good first impression?
A showcase website can provide you commercial visibility to highlight your business. It should be a high-quality, aesthetically appealing and engaging representation of your company’s products and services. Included with your website should be a section or page dedicated for the government that allows contracting officials the ability to download your Capability Statement and includes your company’s past performance, core competencies, and other relevant information. You should also make sure your website is optimized for mobile viewing and search engine optimization (SEO) to be found in a search query.
When a contracting official does review your website, one of the first things they are looking for is evidence that you are prepared to do business with government entities, including your Capability Statement, CAGE, DUNS, NAICS & PSC Codes, etc. Does your website site have a Government Landing Page or Section? Can your Capability Statement be downloaded from your current site? If you have a GSA Schedule, is it linked to your current site?
An example of professional sites designed with the government format in mind, review the Showcase one-page scrolling website and the five-page Showcase Plus designed by FedBiz Access. These sites are optimized to make a good first impression of your company and your capabilities to help grow both your commercial and federal contracting lines of business.
