Why have a website?
........................because your customers expect you to have one.
In today's business world, having a website is as important and necessary as having a phone or a listing in the Yellow Pages.
A website enables your business to remain open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! It reaches out to prospective customers who are actually trying to reach your business. Your site will educate, inform, attract new customers and even generate revenue while you sleep.
Websites are affordable and cost effective. Annually your cost of having a website may be less than the cost of a one-time print ad. The information on your site can save you time and money. For example, you can save time by reducing the number of informational phone calls that you receive such as “what are your business hours” and save money on printed promotional literature.
Does your competition have a website? If they do, you might want one too. If they don’t, this is a perfect opportunity for you to differentiate your business from your competition.
Why have a website? A better question might be, why wouldn’t you have a website?
10 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Website
1. Your Business is Open to the World 24/7, 365 Days a Year
Unlike your company's office that may be open from 8-5, Monday thru Friday, your company 's website is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There are many different time zones that may affect your business, which is why being on the web makes it time convenient for everyone.
2. It's Your Online Brochure / Catalog That Can Be Changed at Anytime
A website is easier, cheaper and quicker to update than print material. Its' capacities are almost limitless which allow you to provide users with more comprehensive information. This will save you money on printing and distribution costs as well.
3. Reach New Markets with a Global Audience
On the Internet, you aren't that local little business anymore. You have the potential to be seen by millions across the globe. Did you ever think your company would have the possibility of doing business around the world? Well, now you can. Without a doubt, the Internet is the most cost effective way to trade nationally and internationally.
4. Improved Customer Service
By providing answers to questions on your website, sales and information requests can be processed automatically and immediately, whether someone is in the office or not. Online forms can be used to allow customers to request quotations or ask further information. Save costs by allowing users to download invoices, proposals and important documents.
5. Present a Professional Image
For a small business, a well-designed web site is a great way of instilling confidence and looking bigger than you actually are. In this day in age, customers assume that you already have a website. By now, your primary competitors probably already have a presence on the Internet. If they do, keep up with them and find ways to make yours better.
6. Sell Your Products
Why pay expensive rent, overhead, electric bills, and all the other costs that go along with owning a bricks-n-mortar business? Selling in cyberspace is much cheaper and a good way to supplement your offline business. Providing secure online ordering is very affordable for even the smallest businesses.
7. Promote Your Services
Lawyers, doctors, financial consultants, entertainers, realtors and all service oriented businesses should let customers know that they have a choice. Millions of users are referring to the web and are using company's websites to make major decisions when they need a specialized service.
8. Gather Information and Generate Valuable Leads
You can gather information about your customers and potential customers by using forms and surveys. Rather than going out and getting leads, let them come to you. This is a great tool for prospecting targeted customers looking to use your products and services.
9. Provides Instant Gratification
People are busy and don't like to wait for information. Give them what they want, when they want it. If your product is suitable, offer them free samples or trials to download. This includes pictures, brochures, software, videos, Power Point slides, music and more.
10. Great Recruiting Tool
Whether you are looking for talent or posting job opportunities with your company, your website is a great recruiting tool for building your business.
I know, I know, I am supposed to have a website. That said, as I have no plans to sell online, I just don't see the need for a site. My business has been around forever and we have done just fine without one. Am I wrong? — Phil
A: I think you are, for reasons both large and small. Let me give you but one example:
A few days ago on a busy school night, my wife called and asked me to pick up some dinner on the way home. She mentioned a restaurant we like, even though we don't get to it often, and asked me to look up their menu online so we could figure out what to get.
Yet try as I might, I couldn't fine their website. It finally dawned on me that they did not have one. But since we had not been there in quite a while and could not remember everything on their menu, we decided to get dinner from another place.
There are three ways, but for most small businesses, the third is almost always the best:
1. Hire a web developer
2. Use a software-creation program
3. Use an online service
Online services are great because, not only do they point and click you through an easy process, but the best ones will also help you grow your business.
Multiply that multi-fold and that's why every small business has to have a website.
http://www.allamakeewebsolutions.com
