| > | | | | difference between a customer using your business |
| Does every business no matter how large or small | | | | or not using you. |
| need a presence on the Internet? Absolutely, and | | | | 3. You need a sound way to gather data about your |
| not just for the traditional reasons, but primarily | | | | customer’s opinions and needs. You need to |
| because your website is an extension of your brick | | | | know what is on your customers mind so you can |
| and motor, your home based business, or your | | | | provide cutting edge customer service and anticipate |
| business on wheels. Everyone in the business of | | | | their needs. |
| making money can benefit from letting potential | | | | 4. Your website will provide another essential way for |
| customers know who you are and what | | | | your customers to contact you, i.e. email and online |
| you’re all about. | | | | forms. |
| Competition in the new millennium is unyielding. You | | | | 5. Your website will make your company more |
| are a success today and a failure tomorrow. It is | | | | accessible and demonstrate to your customers that |
| your website that will tell customers that you are | | | | you are willing to move into the world of global |
| ready. Ready for what? Whatever changes come | | | | exposure. |
| your company’s way, you are ready to | | | | 6. A website presence allows you to tell your |
| compete. | | | | company’s story. You can provide testimonials |
| Your business needs a website because: | | | | from satisfied customers and acknowledge superior |
| 1. You want to offer 24 hour customer service. Your | | | | employees. |
| customers will be able to visit your Frequently Asked | | | | 7. Your website will allow you to recruit employees |
| Questions (FAQs) page and learn immediately your | | | | and publicize the great career/freelance opportunities |
| hours of operation, phone and fax number, address, | | | | at your company. |
| directions and a map if necessary. Remember | | | | 8. Your company website will allow you to have a |
| customers are not mind readers and if you make | | | | competitive advantage over those who don’t |
| getting information about your business too difficult | | | | have a website, while equally competing with those |
| they will simply look elsewhere. | | | | who do. |
| 2. You want your business to provide more | | | | 9. A company website allows you to create an |
| bang-for-the-buck. Customers trust business | | | | awareness of social issues, acknowledging to |
| owners that know their craft and are leaders in the | | | | customers that you are a sensitive committed |
| industry, even if your business is located in a town | | | | humanitarian. |
| with a population of 652. Providing articles, news | | | | 10. Should the business owner decide to sell the |
| information about your area of expertise and | | | | business, a company website would definitely be an |
| statistical data on your web site may mean the | | | | asset. |