Does my business need a website?

What type of website is right for me?

Reasons for having a website

There are many reasons why you should consider having a website:

• To generate awareness
  
• To do business online (e-commerce)
  
• To improve communication
  
• To receive information
  
• To improve competitive advantage
  
• To capture customer details

In general a website provides a more cost-effective way of communicating, and widening the horizons of your business to a global community.

All businesses should view a website as the key to keeping up with even if not ahead of the competition.

• Your competitors are probably already on the Web
  
• Your customers and potential customers are already searching the Web
  
• A potential customer will most likely visit a number of sites before he decides on his final choice of product.

You need to be certain that you are one of the sites that he has visited if you are to stand a chance of gaining his business. If you have no web site, you have no chance.

Benefits of a Website

A well designed website for a small business can have the same presence on the web as the website of a FTSE 100 company.

• Your web site will promote your business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  
• Your customers can buy your products and pay for them while sitting at their computers.
  
• Your web site gives you a much bigger advert for less money
  
• You can change the information on your website whenever you want.
  
• Your website can reach potential customers locally, nationally and worldwide - at no extra cost to you.
  
• Your website can save you money.
  
  - Lower printing costs because you need much less printed letters and brochures.
  
  - Lower postage costs for the same reason -
  
  - email becomes a major (and much cheaper) distribution method.
  
• Lower advertising costs because your web site lasts longer and produces greater results than adverts.
  
• Lower wage costs because your web site can be like an extra person with the automated processes it can carry out.
  
• Your web site can help you give improved customer service
  
• By providing information visitors can access. For example there can be a list of 'frequently asked questions' about your service or product.

This is an area that is often overlooked by web site owners. The simplest example of this is putting up a FAQ page (frequently asked questions) on your web site.

• You can send details of new offers by email to your current customers and contacts,
  
• You can combine email marketing with your website.