Why You Need A Web Site

by: Nandang S Nugraha | Total views: 91 | Word Count: 531 | View PDF | Print View

 by: Edward Robirds

"I have a small business with just a couple of employees
and I don’t think my product can really be sold online. Do I need a web
site?"

In this day and time, there is very little that can’t be
sold over the Internet. There are over 20 million people shopping
online, buying everything from movies to cars to real estate property.
Research predicts that revenues will be over $200 billion in 2004 and
will grow at a rate of 30 to 50 percent over the next few years. These
numbers alone should be enough to persuade you that you and your
business should be online.

Regardless of whether you sell your product online, you
should at the very least have an online presence so that customers,
potential employees, partners and even potential investors can easily
and quickly find more information about your company, the products and
services you have to offer, as well as how to contact you.

But Can I Afford a Web Site?

Given the competition and current market trends you can’t
afford NOT to. Think of your web site as your new marketing tool which,
when applied correctly, will generate a return on investment. Your
competition is probably already on-line and you need to use every
possible avenue just to keep up. You should look at having a web site
as an investment in you and your company’s future.

So whatever time or money you currently spend on
marketing, supplementing it with a web site is probably a good idea.
Your site will help you expand geographically and compete on a much
larger scale.

Leveling the Playing Field

One of the most wonderful things about the Internet is
that it’s helped to level the playing field when it comes to
competition with the bigger companies. With a professional-looking web
site, your small business can project the image and professionalism of
a much larger company. It’s also a good signal to potential customers
that you take things seriously.

Breaking the Ice into e-Commerce

Taking credit card orders over the Internet is quite an
investment, especially if you don’t already have a merchant account.
There are several e-Commerce solutions that can be custom-built for you
that use payment gateways such as PayPal, which only requires a bank
account and an email address. Customers can pay you through their
credit card or even their checking account, and it’s a great solution
if you’re looking to test the waters.

The Bottom Line

To be taken seriously, it’s not enough that you simply
have a web site, but you must have a professional-looking web site.
Many customers now search for information online before making a
purchase; your web site may be the first chance you have at making a
good impression on a potential buyer. If your site looks like it was
designed by Uncle Bob, your chance at making that good first impression
will be lost.

No matter what size your business is, and even if you're
not planning on selling online, a well-made web site is essential for
any business. If you don’t have a web site, you’re already losing
business to companies that do.

About the Author

Edward Robirds is a success-driven artist and interactive media developer based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Since 1996, Edward has been building business relationships with several association and commercial clients around the world. Founder of www.DreamseaArtworks.com, Edward uses his artistic skills, expertise and passion to design and develop web sites, interactive CD-ROMs, and print media for his clients.

mail@dreamseaartworks.com

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