Top 5 Reasons to Have a Web Site by Stephen Brown

It was predicted over a decade ago based on indicators at that time that a large portion of future business revenues would be derived from online transactions or as a result of online marketing efforts. It is now demonstrated that 85% of consumers now search for information online prior to making a purchase even if that purchase is at a traditional store. Your site may be the first chance you have at making a good impression on a potential buyer.

The point to be made here is that you should at the very least have a presence on the web so that customers can quickly and easily find out more about your business and the products or services you have to offer. The ‘Top 5 Reasons to Have a Website’ below is by no means exhaustive but might help you to make your decision on launching your business for others to view on the World Wide Web (www).

1. To Establish a Presence

Over 260 million people in North America alone have access to the www. To be a part of this growing community and demonstrate that you are interested in communicating and serving them, you need to be on the www. A website is easier, cheaper and quicker to update than printed material and allows you to provide users with more comprehensive and updated information. This also allows savings on printing and distribution costs. In essence you are open to the World 24/7 to inform, educate, market or make forms and information available for download.

2. Improved Customer Service

Answers to commonly asked questions can be posted on your website, sales and information requests can be processed quickly whether someone is in the office or not.  Posted information can be as simple as what do you do, your business hours, how can someone contact you, what methods of payment do you take, and where are you located.

Online forms can be used to allow customers to request additional information, receive quotations or ask further questions. Save costs by allowing users to download documents such as invoices, proposals and various brochures. Making general (or complex) business information available is one of the most important ways to serve your customers.

3. Present Your Professional Image and Reach New Markets

On the Internet, you have the potential to be seen by millions nationally and internationally and have the possibility of doing business around the world. A well-designed web site is a great way of displaying your companies’ image and/or products and services. Most if not all potential customers assume that you already have a website. But let’s not forget your local market and your ability to serve them as well. If you live in or near even a moderate population area there is probably enough local customers with Web access to make it worth your while to consider Web marketing. One example is that many local restaurants take lunch and dinner orders through the Internet.

4. Sell Your Products

This is not the only reason to have a Web-Site but imagine reducing your overhead and not paying expensive rent, electric bills, and all the other costs that go along with owning a traditional 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. When you are ready to sell, the information people need to help them decide is on your web site.

5. 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.

Upcoming blogs will have such topics as deciding what types of information should I put on my web-site, choosing a web-site developer and how often do I need to update my web-site.

Design Pathways – Web Design and E-Commerce Specialists provide Custom Web Site Design, E-Commerce Web Sites, Internet Marketing and More.  Contact us today for more information www.designpathways.com.