Marketing
A Web presence is a great way to compliment your existing marketing plan. You
can use your site to inform customers about your business's services and it
makes word-of-mouth advertising easier.
Educate
Use your Website to educate. Potential clients will want to know what you can
do for them. Besides giveing them information about you, provide resources to
educate them on why they need your services.
LeaderShip
Companies who embrace an online strategy will quickly find themselves
in a leadership position because of their increased exposure in
the global marketplace. Companies that ignore the web run the risk of having
their existing competitors and emerging "dot coms" exploit the web to their
advantage.
24/7 Access
Having a website can help broaden the scope of one's business. Customers shop
and compare prices now more than ever before and the Internet offers a powerful,
quick and efficient way to do so. If your competition is online, you should
be there also. Your customers can go online 24 hours a day, seven
days a week to get answers and information about your business, even
if your business is closed for the day.
Resource
Being online also helps to to reach new clients as your website gives customers
and potential customers all the information about your business they need. Online
customers will have an immediate resource in their office for
reference and referals.
Interact with Customers
Your best customers are repeat and referred customers. There is no better way
to keep customers coming back than keeping in touch with them. Through your
website you can interact with clients by way of online newsletters, polls or
surveys, chat rooms and special deals. When you keep in contact it shows customers
you care, one of the best ways to keep them coming back.
Instant Legitimacy
As a customer you want to know the company you are buyiing from is legitimate
and runs a reputable business. A well designed website lends legitimacy to your
business and leads to increased sales.
Survey Your Audience
The Web is two-way, interactive, and quick
communication. When a visitor comes to your website they want to know
about your products, services or information. How can you find out exactly why
they came or what they're looking for? To get a handle on your potential customer
base you can set up a survey to figure out exactly what visitors are interested
in. By finding out what they are looking for you can also learn what new trends
are on the horizon or features you need to add.
Level the Playing Field
Look and act bigger than you really are. By using multiple e-mail accounts (e.g.
Sales@, Info@, shipping@, etc) even a one-person business can look like a multi-person
or multi-department operation through a company website. Having an online presence
will enable you to compete with much larger and better capitalized companies
to promote your goods and services. A well designed website presents a more
appealing image than a larger competitor who's web presence appears weak or
amateurish.
Customers Expect It
In today's business world, the Internet is the fastest growing source for information.
Without a web presence, your business risks never being found by prospective
customers.
Just imagine the possibilities!
About the Author
Jean-Pierre "PETE" LeClair
President, The AgentZ
Everything from A to Z @ the AgentZ
www.agentz.com
Cost Effective Web Site Design and Hosting for Small Businesses and Individuals
The AgentZ has been offering
cost effective website design and hosting since 1994
