21 January 2009
Setting up a new business can be a costly process and a business owner will have to make the decision whether he should initially launch his business with or without a website. This article highlights the advantages of having a web presence.

Did you know that over 90% of potential customers will check out your business online before deciding whether to proceed with the purchase of your goods or services.

A website is the shop window to your business. It allows access to your services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The internet has rapidly become the largest communication tool throughout the world, allowing you to advertise and promote your business at a relatively small cost to a global audience. If your business doesn’t have an internet presence, how are you going to compete with the thousands of others that do?

A simple, fresh and well organised website will present a positive first impression to potential customers who may not previously have heard of you and will help instill confidence in the services and products provided by you.

Website advantages

A large quantity of information can be made available to potential customers to either read on screen or download and print. This information can be updated regularly and far more cost effectively avoiding the production expenses involved with printed brochures or files that may have a limited shelf life.

A downloadable information sheet allows customers to digest details in their own time and at any time.

A well designed website which acts purely as an internet advertisement should pay for itself in a relatively short period of time when compared with more traditional methods of advertising.

Increased Exposure

If your business has an internet presence, you are making it available to a far wider geographical audience than you might otherwise be able to reach if you did not have a website. Search engines are used constantly to source information, products and services on the internet and if your company is not there, then potential customers will not be able to find you.

It is most likely that your successful competitors will already have a web presence and to remain competitive, your website will have to be well positioned. Web content is just as important as design. A good designer will be able to advise you on key words and phrases to ensure that your website maximizes its potential. Not only are these key words placed on-screen but your designer should be able to place them “behind the scenes” in order for search engines to locate them.

In Summary

A good website provides a platform to promote your business, services and products. It can help attract new customers and provide useful information. Stay ahead of your competitors and don’t get left on the shelf!