Benefits of having a Business Website

**richard2** · 08-13-2010 05:56 PM

Hi

Can you believe that just about fifteen years ago most people had not even heard of the Internet? We have been involved with creating business web sites and e-commerce site 1997. We have watched it grow from a very simple way to send email to a sophisticated communication medium. Today everyone is at least aware of the Internet and the majority of you use it at least occasionally.

But even more amazing is the growth in web functionality and the huge drop in the cost of that functionality. In the late 90’s it was not unusual for a company to spend tens of thousands of dollars to build an e-commerce site. Today, any business, small or large, can have an Internet catalog or e-commerce web site for under $2000.00. Part of the reason for the drop in price is the huge number of small businesses now opting for an online presence to augment sales in their physical locations. Another reason is the technology has gotten more sophisticated and available. And the huge number of businesses moving to the web is a result of the number of people who regularly use the Internet.

If you own a business today your customers EXPECT you to have a web site and email. This expectation almost requires you to have some sort of interactive, dynamic web presence. Even so, one of the questions we hear often is “What are the benefits of having a business web site?” The answer to this depends upon your business and your customers. But to understand the most important benefit of having a web site we have to look at the behaviors of today’s customers.

During the 80’s and 90’s US companies were in a cost cutting, increased productivity frenzy. Every major corporation in America was working diligently to drive customers totally mad. New, telephone answering systems that could literally keep you on hold or wandering through a maze of options… Reductions in inventories that lead to products not being available… Fewer choices to further reduce inventories… Part time employees with little understanding of the products and services replaced knowledgeable, full time employees… It seemed that we were doomed to poor customer service while EVERY business bragged about their excellent customer service.

Then, while most of us had given up on any hope of good customer service, the Internet sprang up. What an amazing thing. Any time, night or day, you could look up information you needed. Then Amazon.com began letting us buy books the same way. And the service was great. An email telling you they received your order… an email telling you the order was shipped and you should receive it in a few days… an email telling you that you should have already received the order and what to do if you had not… an email telling you of a great new book similar to the one you just bought.

Sure it was email… sure it was automated. But it was so much better than what we had become used to we loved it. And we still love it. Why wait on hold when you can send an email at any time and you can go do other things while waiting for a reply.

The Internet makes it possible to communicate with your customers on their terms within their time frame. It makes it possible to automate information dissemination and customer service. Even if you don’t use the Internet to increase your market reach and revenue the Internet has made it possible to keep your customers happy.

Thanks

**Ridley** · 08-14-2010 05:30 PM

Hi

A website is not just a medium for representation of your company, it is a form of media from which everybody can acquire information. You can use this media to sell advertising space to other businesses. A recent trend has risen where businesses feature their very own directory of complimentary services, where the visitor can search for information on a business that will enhance the use of your service. The business sells complimentary businesses a listing in their directory.

A good example is a catering company featuring a directory with businesses such as event co-coordinators, electronic equipment rental companies

Thanks

**warner69** · 08-19-2010 12:04 PM

Hi

If you’re going to have a business, it’s common knowledge that you’re more than likely going to have a website for it. A website is a valuable tool for marketing and streamlining a business. It’s obviously bound to have an innumerable return than that of putting your name and number in the phonebook (though still a viable marketing solution) and waiting for calls to come in; and with the advent of e-commerce development and integrated processes for creating automated office systems, not having a website is almost like not having a front door for your customers. You’re bound to lose them without one.

The net is now our biggest supplier of information- and if you’re going to run with the big dogs, getting your information out there is the name of the game. The internet levels that playing field. People like to do research on companies they do business with beforehand. With a 24 hour, 7 day a week venue for people to come to, you’ll be able to put out the information that just may give you the edge over the next guy (especially if the next guy doesn’t have a website). A website gives you credibility in the eyes of potential customers and lends tangibility to your company’s existence. It makes you ‘real’ in a sense and puts ‘a name with a face’. This also leads to another benefit of having a website: creating an image. You can control and decide just what you want your potential customers to see. There are a number of tricks in the bag for doing this. Sometimes it’s by creating a simple page of information or by creating a colorful and savvy interactive site. It’s all a matter of how your company wants to portray to the world.

Thanks

**clvrt** · 08-19-2010 01:33 PM

Hi

Saving money is the main reason most would consider designing their own web site. But by designing their own, are they really saving? It's takes a substantial monetary investment to purchase the necessary software to create a professional looking web site. It also takes a considerable amount of time to learn how to use the various programs effectively. Many business owners don't have that kind of time to spare and are usually better off investing their time in what they know best - running their business.

Thanks