What Business Owners MUST Know BEFORE They Commit To Having A Web Site

Q1.Why would I need a web site?
A1.

- Improve my service by providing the existing clients with useful resources

That will help me to build up the loyalty of the clientele and get returning clients.

Examples: my contact details, this month special, technical info on the products.

- Obtain new clients via Internet That is how I am going to make new sales.

Example: local resident searching for "car dealers Geelong" on Google, will find my web site with latest stock details and pricing.

- My strongest competitors already have web sites! That is how I am going to match and beat them in the competition.

Q2.How am I going to achieve my online business goals?

A2.Initially I will have a nice but not an expensive web site.

It will be positioned on major search engines and drive potential clients to my business. It will be supported by a smart Internet marketing strategy tailored for specifically for my business.

That may include pay-per-click, email marketing or other methods. I will be spending more money on my web site only AFTER it starts generating income.

Q3.What is my web site checklist?

A3.Domain name registration, web hosting, web design, SEO - optimisation for search engines, Internet marketing, web site updates and web site maintenance.

These services are provided by different types of businesses. Some companies can deliver a complete web site service. I am going to ask my providers BEFORE I sign up how they are going to contribute to achieving of my online business goals. I will not sign up if they talk megabytes and technologies. I am interested in visitors and dollars!

Q4.What if I already have a web site?

A4.No matter how good is my web site - it will age.

I need to update it every 6 - 12 months. If your web site does not have a consistent targeted web traffic I may never get a Return On Investment.

If it is a case - my web site may need an immediate makeover.

Q5.What are the typical web site expenses, including hidden?

A5

- Web site design and development: $500+ (one off)
- Web site hosting: $240+ (annually)
- Web site marketing: $50+ (monthly)
- Web site update and maintenance: $30+ (monthly)

Q6.What type of web site is for me?

A6.Typically there are 3 types of web sites on the Internet.

Depending on my type of business, its size and targeted audience I should choose from:

1.Basic presence on the Internet

Internet version of my business card and online brochure. Benefits:

- extended branding of my business

- all hours availability of information for EXISTING clients

- improved image of my business

- professional email address instead of my local ISP

Examples: legal and accounting firms, printing.
Costs:$500+, annual maintenance $250+

2.Powerful marketing tool
Interactive web site.

Benefits:

- make existing clients return again and again

- establishing special relationship with clients

- get NEW clients

Example: hardware shop, travel agency.
Costs: $1500+, annual maintenance $500+

3.Additional sales channel
e-commerce web site suits retailers and wholesalers of goods. Works really well if brands and characteristics of products are well known or easy to explain. Great business value if the price is right.

Examples: stationary suppliers, books CDs,DVDs
Costs:$2500+, annual maintenance $1000+

RKD Unger is the founder of Infopulse Pty Ltd (Australia) and Internet Marketing Australia. Infopulse is a developer of SEO Explorer - a free SEO tool for webmasters.

---

Website Imperatives and Solutions

When you take a look at the most visited sites... Read More

Planning Your Website for Success

Most people know they need a website in order to... Read More

High Quality Website at Low Cost

Although designing a great web site is an important part... Read More

4 Rock Solid Reasons For Building Your Own Website

What is the point of having a website, you may... Read More

Eight Deadly Web Site Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Creating and maintaining an effective presence on the Web has... Read More

The Top Ten Benefits of Having a Web Site

Do you need a web site? Are you considering getting... Read More

Get to Know People through Websites

Web sites are not just places to sell things; they... Read More

My Yahoo Search - Beyond Bookmarks

Yahoo has long offered email, an online calendar, notes, bookmarks,... Read More

Five Question-Five Minute Web Makeover Quiz

If you haven't made the sales and built your clients... Read More

Web Measurement: What You Don?t Know Would Make A Great Book

"What's in it for me?" you ask. "Why should I... Read More

7 Golden Rules For Building Mini Sites

First, an eye opener. Making your fortune through affiliate programs... Read More

Study Your Sites Performance Via Hit Tracking

Knowledge is power.And undoubtedly, it is the key to making... Read More

Top 5 Reasons to Track Your Website Traffic

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

Why Is No-one Buying From My Website?

Are you, like many other website owners, frustrated at the... Read More

Website Globalization

Globalize Your WebsiteThe Internet has unlocked a wide array of... Read More

Building Websites with Directory Generator

Directory Generator, a product from Armand Morin and Marc Quarles,... Read More

Find the Purpose of Your New / Proposed Website

Absolutely everything stems from the purpose of your website -... Read More

Should You Design Your Own Website?

If you're anything like most small business owners, you probably... Read More

Ebooks for Webmasters

Internet has opened a whole new world for web developers... Read More

Is Your Website Innovative? Increase Your Business Over Night!

While studying online for IT investment opportunities, I found that... Read More

What is The Google Toolbar?

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

Get a Website!, Register Your Domain!: To Website or Not to Website?

If you're fairly new to the Internet scene, you may... Read More

Top 10 Webmaster Challenges

Webmasters deal with a myriad of complex design challenges every... Read More

Profitable Websites for Exclusive Industries

In the region where my company is located, South Bend,... Read More

12 Essential Tips to a Professional Business Website

1. Choose a big enough font size. A size 12... Read More

Enhance Your Website With A Yahoo-Style Directory

Does your website have a links/resources page?Do you exchange reciprocal... Read More

What Hosting Companies Dont Tell You, Could Hurt You?

Did you know that hosting companies overcrowd their servers despite... Read More

Content Management

More and more businesses are recognizing the importance of content... Read More

50 Ways To Use Your Website

A website is the most versatile and cost-effective marketing tool... Read More

Effective Webdesign

D.zigns dzignerwebs The Basics Before starting on... Read More

5 Tips For A Better Website

Having an eye catching website is great, but are you... Read More

Beautiful Web Sites Seldom Make More Sales

Designing an E-commerce Web site is not as simple as... Read More

You Need To Treat Your Website Like An Employee - Heres 5 Ways To Do It

People often come to me in a state of crisis... Read More