Reasons Why to have a website?

The importance of having a good website

Your website is your online shop window; everything about it tells your potential customer something about you from the graphics to the ease of navigation. You only have to think about the good or bad websites you have come across and whether or not they made you want to do business with that company to see how important it is to get it right.

Websites for Small Businesses

Any small business thinking about investing in a new website needs to start with a couple of key questions. What are your business goals? Will being able to reach new and existing customers via a website help you to achieve them? If you decide that a website will help your business the next question is what do you want it to do for you? Do you want a site that can take orders
and payments from customers or do you want a site that acts as an online advert? How many visitors are you expecting to come to your site? What do you think your customers are looking for? A good website is clear and up-to-date, tells your customers what they need to know, guides them quickly and easily through your product range, makes it safe and secure for them to submit any payment, and provides contact details for questions and queries.

Doing business via the internet is very much about confidence and trust and your site should inspire both if it is to succeed. If developed and managed well, a new website can provide a significant boost to sales. It can enlarge your potential market while keeping overheads down. It is also an ideal way to quickly communicate change in product and stock information. If used to its full potential, it is a perfect way to build networks and relationships with your customers and suppliers.

Websites & Search Engines

There are billions of websites online and the search engine is king. People looking for the product or service you provide will increasingly find you through a search engine such as Google or Yahoo. You need to think about how to stand out and help customers to find your site perhaps through online listings and directories. Most importantly, a good website is not a static, stand alone feature. Websites are just one aspect of how your business reaches and takes care of its customers.

To succeed, websites need to be kept alive and updated, backed by human contact and products and services that live up to their online claims. For more information on ways in which technology can help your business visit the free Business IT Guide created by e-skills UK at www.businessitguide.com (Article reproduced with permission from e-skills UK)

Online Sales & eCommerce

Internet shopping currently accounts for 30% of all retail sales and it is estimated this will increase to 50% by 2011 according to IMRG (Interactive Media in Retail Group). The CEBR (Centre for Economics and Business Research ltd) says the increasing speed of broadband and lower prices is turning web-based buying into a way of life for UK consumers.

If you don't have a website, you could be losing out on potential sales every day. A good website represents a good business and visitors judge your business on the impression your media gives. Websites provide 24/7 worldwide advertising and can be updated very quickly to reflect the latest changes in your prices and products.

The Internet is also used as a research tool and many people will want to gain further knowledge of your services before making any kind of decision. The more control you have over this the better.

Whatever your requirements, we can create you a fresh web presence to ensure your company reaches as wide an audience as possible.

Top 10 reasons to have a website.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.