Why your
small business needs a website:
- Because that's where more than 200 million
consumers are today, who could become your customers.
- According to tech research firm IDC,
online spending will total nearly $1 trillion by 2002. By 2003, IDC predicts 500 million
users of the Web and $1.3 trillion in E-Commerce.
- Irving Wladawsky-Berger, general manager
for IBM's Internet division, says, "Where I see possibly the biggest opportunity of
all is with small businesses--and when I say small, I mean really small, like a restaurant
or a hardware store.
- Those companies that are investing to
build really compelling Web sites are the ones that are going to be getting the
customers."
- Internet business consultant Jakob Nielsen
in his "Top Ten Mistakes of Web Management."
(http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9706b.html), says, "Granted, these days, you need a
Website to be considered a professionally run organization. Not being on the Web is like
not having a fax machine: people think you are a fly-by-night."
- A website is the best way to communicate
with your customers. Customers will visit your website to learn more about your business
or products. Customers, who wouldn’t contact you otherwise, will fill out a form on
your website to receive information. Once they’ve provided you with their email
address you may stay in touch with them with special offerings, etc. Email advertising is
MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE than “snail” mail.
- Having your company name as a domain gives
your business credibility and allows customers to find your website by simply typing your
business name in a search engine.
- Your website can provide your new
customers with a map and directions to your location. They don’t have to call you,
ask directions, and then write them down. All they need to do is print the map you’ve
provided on your website!
- A website is probably the cheapest form of
advertising, other than word-of-mouth, that there is. It can save you time and money by
reducing phone calls too.
- A website allows your customers to place
orders online and have their order ready for pickup when they arrive (example: Best Buy,
Circuit City, Pizza Hut, etc.)
- Your closest competitor has a website (or
soon will)!
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