Why You Need A Web Site

"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

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Creating Websites that Cater to Exam Preparations

One of the things that Internet excels is disseminating information... Read More

How To Get Your Customers To Trust Your Website

Research reveals three important facts:1) The Internet is one of... Read More

4 Marketing Tips for Resourceful Webmasters!

The internet is a sea of knowledge. Getting your information... Read More

Whats Your Business Online Attitude?

This article was prompted by some customer support work I... Read More

Three Things Every Website Should Do

When I started my company in 2002, I knew I... Read More

Server Stats ? Analyzing Traffic To Your Site

Analyzing traffic to a site is a key factor in... Read More

How Disabled Users Access The Internet

In 1995 a new era of accessibility for disabled people... Read More

12 Tips To Great Websites

Why do some sites succeed while the vast majority of... Read More

The Number One Reason Most Websites Fail

Failure, just like success, is measured differently by each and... Read More

Streamline your Business Website with a Content Management System

I talk with so many people who have small businesses... Read More

Ten Ways NOT to Set Up a Website-based Service Business

1. As the first step, "Hire a web designer."First create... Read More

17 Tips to Plan a Website

Everyone wants one.Everyone wishes they knew how to make one.SOME... Read More

Art, Artists, and the Web:Part: 2--First Steps in Building an Artist?s Website

What you should do and know if you are an... Read More

Pick Up Your Own Domain Name

Think up a name and check if yourname.com is available.... Read More

Web Site Promotion: How To Advertise Your Website For Profits

Making money with your web site is the dream and... Read More

Top 5 Reasons to Track Your Website Traffic

#5 User Satisfaction: Learn what your visitors and site users... Read More

Your Biggest Mistake When You Create a Website?

--------------------------------Why Should You Create a website?--------------------------------A. What do you want... Read More

Sticking To Your Plan

So you have a good idea for a business and... Read More

Why You Really Need Your Own Web Page In-order To Make Online Business!

How many Web Sites did you stumble over telling you... Read More

Website Value - Whats Your Business Website Worth?

If you were asked to put a value on your... Read More

How Does Your Website Make Me Feel?

When people think about the Internet, they think about technology.... Read More

Your Content for Nothing and Your Clicks for Free

The first thing my business consultant (read brother-in-law) asked me,... Read More

From Search to Sale

The Internet car buyer is an elusive animal. Trying to... Read More

Effectively Using Robots Meta Tags

The "robots" meta tag, when used properly, will tell the... Read More

What is The Google Toolbar?

No matter what browser you may want to use, you... Read More

The Number 1 Reason Most Websites Fail

Failure, just like success, is measured differently by each and... Read More

Make Your Own Website - General Website Design Tips

Wow, we`ve already taken a domain and chosen a web... Read More

How to Maximize the Value of Every Visitor to Your Website

While most marketers are beginning to understand the critical importance... Read More

The 2 Most Common Web Site Mistakes

When we review the sites of potential clients, there are... Read More

Selecting a Web Content Management Product

So you want to take a look at a real... Read More

Setting Up Your First Website

Q. Hey, Cathy: I'm just setting up a website. What... Read More

Introductory PHP For Non-Programmers

When you started reading this sentence you assumed lo acabarķa... Read More

Improve Conversion Rates ? Effective Content

Your site is fast and getting traffic, but conversion rates... Read More