I
Don't Need a Website... Do I?
by Janice Byer, CCVA, MVA
Docu-Type Administrative & Web Design Services
www.docutype.net
Once
upon a time, in a small home office, a busy entrepreneur wondered why he
wasn’t quite as busy as he would like to be. “I market my business as
much as possible”, said the entrepreneur, who has implemented many
marketing procedures while running his business.
Our
entrepreneur, we’ll call him Bob, runs a computer repair business. His
services allow him to provide his clients with his expert advise, either
in their offices, by email, or on the phone. Because of this, Bob has a
large potential market, both locally and internationally.
Bob
has a great brochure, filled with all his features and benefits; he
attends as many networking events as he can; he advertises in the local
newspapers; and he has a huge ad in the yellow pages. But, Bob doesn’t
have a website. Why?
“I
don’t need a website, do I?” asks Bob. “I do everything else
possible to market my business and I also get many customers by referrals.
Why would I need a website?”
Glad
you asked Bob! Let’s see if we can’t outline some of the benefits of
having a website… both locally and internationally…
Your
website is a live brochure that is available for anyone to see from
anywhere, no matter if they are 5 miles away or 5000 miles away.
For
potential local clients, they may first find your company in the yellow
pages but, if they are looking for more information about you and the
services you offer, the Internet is one of the first places they will look
to do their research.
Many
potential long distance clients may be in different time zones or would
rather not make a long distance call. Because of these factors, the
Internet is where they would go for more information. Having a website
enables your information to be available anytime and, by including your
email address on your site, they have a cheaper and more convenient of
contacting you.
Your
website allows you to create and show much more of your information than a
print ad or brochure. The more information you provide, the more likely a
potential client will be to buy from you as they can see everything they
need to know. You can even include a little something extra, such as tips
and resources, to help your clients see your dedication to providing
topnotch customer service.
Your
website also allows you to be more creative in how your present your
information than with something that is in print. You can add bells and
whistles (but not too many) that
show that can be creative in your efforts.
Many
people use the Internet to find out more information about products or
services that they are in need of. Your website is a means of offering
information to those who may be researching online before buying. If you
don’t have a website, how are they going to even get a chance to see
what you have to offer?
In
the same respect, if a potential client has heard about you but can’t
find your business card, they may turn to the Internet to try and locate
your contact information or to learn more about you.
Your
website opens the door to a larger market of prospective clients. Even if
your service is normally only preformed locally, there is always the
potential to expand. And, you are more likely to increase your local
client base if your website is available for them to research your
service.
Even
if you cater to only a specific clientele, your website can be a place for
them to visit or where they can point others to who they are referring to
you.
Your
website is the one piece of marketing material that is easy to change
without a huge cost. So, if you have a special event coming up or you want
to include more information on a certain service, you simply have your web
designer make the change. And, almost instantly, your information is fresh
and visible, without the costs of re-printing new marketing material.
We
could go on and on about the benefits of having a website. In short,
having a website is the ‘way to go’ these days and, if your company
does not have a website, are you losing customers? Are they finding your
competition when using the Internet but not you? Are they wondering why
you do not have a website when all of your competition does?
Your
website is your company’s 24 hour advertising medium. Why wouldn’t you
consider having one? Bob?
© Docu-Type - All Rights Reserved ~
Website Designed & Maintained by