It’s easy to build a Web site. Anyone can do it for little or no money. What is not easy is building a successful business with it. So how do you do it? Start by asking yourself: “Why do I need a website? What will it accomplish for my business?”
The biggest mistake you can make is to build a Web site that doesn’t do anything for you. This may seem obvious, but too many companies build Web sites simply because they believe it would be neat, or because their competitors have one. Without a real purpose, a Web site is just a complete waste of time.
By the way, there is always a good purpose for starting a website – you just have to discover it. Just look at all the great things that will happen to you when you start your own website.
1 - Your business will be open 24 hours a day.
This means you won’t have to stay open on Thanksgiving or Christmas day. If you live on the East Coast, people from California will still be able to shop in your store after you close. Any time someone wants to know your hours, location, directions, or any other details about your company, they can get it without disturbing you.
2 - Low staffing costs.
3 - Gain thousands of new customers.
Because anyone in the world can see your website, you will gain customers from other states and countries while you are putting in the same amount of effort and money.
4 - Create an image of a well-established company.
5 - Save on postage and printing costs.
Think of how many cards you mail out to let customers know about your sale. All of that can be eliminated by putting the sale information on your website and inviting your customers to visit it. You can collect your customers’ E-Mail addresses and keep in touch with them about special events in your store via E-Mail.
6 - Unlimited advertisement.
If you ever advertised in a local newspaper, you know the costs. You are being charged per line, per inch, and per color. On the Web, there is no limit to how much you can put. You can add pictures, articles, newsletters, rates, product images and so much more! With just one website, you can have an almost unlimited advertisement for the same low monthly cost (under $25 a month!)
7 - Improve communications.
If you have employees or suppliers, your website is the best way to communicate between you and them. Changes take effect as soon as you post them on the Web, and everyone can see updated information without having to wait for a new database of products, and without contacting you directly.
8 - Impeccable customer service.
9 - A website will become your best friend in meeting the needs of your customers.
10 - Online presence - in step with your competitors.
You must think of the Internet as a gigantic Yellow Pages book. More and more people use the Web to shop for information, services, and products. If you are not there – your competitors are! Can you imagine not being in Yellow Pages and try to reach the local market? Unless you spend a lot of money on newspaper ads and other local promotions – no one will know your business exists. The same thing with the Internet. If people can’t find your company on the Web, you might as well not exist.
11 - Provide an alternate purchasing method.
12 - Showcase your work.
13 - Promotional Costs are very low.
14 - Beat your competition to the top.
Competition online is huge today! There are over 3,000,000 sites on the Web and this number is growing. Still, I see at least 5 businesses a month who are not online, and getting a website is not in their near future plans. Why am I telling you this? Because if THEY don’t get a website – YOU have a better chance at succeeding. Insurance, home improvement, gift shops, and other companies are among those I see dragging their feet in putting their businesses online. This means if you do it now before EVERY company is online, you will be among the pioneers!
15 - Yep, that's right
Internet is still in its babyhood, no matter how many websites there are out there. It has been less than a decade since companies decided to use websites as part of their marketing strategies. Can you imagine what it will be like in 20-30 years??
I could go on and on, but I hope you are convinced: YOUR BUSINESS ABSOLUTELY NEEDS A WEB SITE! Click here to request a Free Quote TODAY!
Even if you are not planning to sell directly online, people will find your website and contact you about the services you offer. You can place your website address in your newspaper ads and any other promotional materials to make people aware of your website.