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I Don’t Need A Website!….Do I?
by: Janice D. Byer, MVA
Once upon a time, in a small home office, a busy entrepreneur
wondered why he wasn’t quite as busy as he would like to be. “I market
my business as much as possible”, said the entrepreneur, who has
implemented many marketing procedures while running his business.
Our entrepreneur, we’ll call him Bob, runs a computer repair
business. His services allow him to provide his clients with his expert
advise, either in their offices, by email, or on the phone. Because of
this, Bob has a large potential market, both locally and
internationally.
Bob has a great brochure, filled with all his features and benefits;
he attends as many networking events as he can; he advertises in the
local newspapers; and he has a huge ad in the yellow pages. But, Bob
doesn’t have a website. Why?
“I don’t need a website, do I?” asks Bob. “I do everything else
possible to market my business and I also get many customers by
referrals. Why would I need a website?”
Glad you asked Bob! Let’s see if we can’t outline some of the
benefits of having a website… both locally and internationally…
Your website is a live brochure that is available for anyone to see
from anywhere, no matter if they are 5 miles away or 5000 miles away.
For potential local clients, they may first find your company in the
yellow pages but, if they are looking for more information about you and
the services you offer, the Internet is one of the first places they
will look to do their research.
Many potential long distance clients may be in different time zones
or would rather not make a long distance call. Because of these factors,
the Internet is where they would go for more information. Having a
website enables your information to be available anytime and, by
including your email address on your site, they have a cheaper and more
convenient of contacting you.
Your website allows you to create and show much more of your
information than a print ad or brochure. The more information you
provide, the more likely a potential client will be to buy from you as
they can see everything they need to know. You can even include a little
something extra, such as tips and resources, to help your clients see
your dedication to providing topnotch customer service.
Your website also allows you to be more creative in how your present
your information than with something that is in print. You can add bells
and whistles (but not too many) that show that can be creative in your
efforts.
Many people use the Internet to find out more information about
products or services that they are in need of. Your website is a means
of offering information to those who may be researching online before
buying. If you don’t have a website, how are they going to even get a
chance to see what you have to offer?
In the same respect, if a potential client has heard about you but
can’t find your business card, they may turn to the Internet to try and
locate your contact information or to learn more about you.
Your website opens the door to a larger market of prospective
clients. Even if your service is normally only preformed locally, there
is always the potential to expand. And, you are more likely to increase
your local client base if your website is available for them to research
your service.
Even if you cater to only a specific clientele, your website can be a
place for them to visit or where they can point others to who they are
referring to you.
Your website is the one piece of marketing material that is easy to
change without a huge cost. So, if you have a special event coming up or
you want to include more information on a certain service, you simply
have your web designer make the change. And, almost instantly, your
information is fresh and visible, without the costs of re-printing new
marketing material.
We could go on and on about the benefits of having a website. In
short, having a website is the ‘way to go’ these days and, if your
company does not have a website, are you losing customers? Are they
finding your competition when using the Internet but not you? Are they
wondering why you do not have a website when all of your competition
does?
Your website is your company’s 24 hour advertising medium. Why
wouldn’t you consider having one? Bob?
About The Author
Janice Byer is a certified Master Virtual Assistant and owner of Docu-Type
Administrative & Web Design Services ().
See this and other articles on her website.
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