::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Do I really need a website? :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::I hear this question A LOT.
Many small businesses and one-woman- and one-man-bands ask themselves this question, and aren't sure if they *need* a website.
............................................................ "What will a website do for *me*?" ............................................................
Whether you live in a small town or a big city or on a yacht with a satellite connection,
reality is that more and more people turn to internet for information. What do they look for? Anything and everything!
From how to make a martini to how to make a pair of shoes, to what's capital of Uzbekistan ... to how to charm a snake - you can find all of this and much more at click of a mouse.
We are getting used to getting instant answers to all our questions, so if someone wants to find a business like yours in their neck of woods, chances are they might search for it on internet.
They could go to one of search engines like http://www.google.com, and type in kind of business or service they're looking for, as well as area they're looking in, for example:
gumboots wollongong
OK, so you're not sure what "wollongong" is - it's a town in Australia. It could just as easily be a search for :
stetson hat dallas
except it would be better to put stetson and hat together as a phrase like this:
"stetson hat" dallas
If you have a business which sells gumboots in Wollongong, could you be found on internet? If you have a website, chances are pretty high! If not, person searching might find *other* 5 stores in Wollongong which sell gumboots. Even though shops are closed for night, this person might only have time to search after business hours when they get home.
The person can then check out *other* 5 websites, look at their prices, and products, and will choose *emotionally* by what they see on those websites. They may choose friendliest site which appeals to a shopper, rather than look just like a brochure with lots of photos. They may choose website which offers a *free gift* with purchase - which could be something related to all weather gumboots, even an information sheet about care and cleaning. People like to get free gifts.
............................................................ "So - where does this leave *me* and my store/products/services?" ............................................................
Hmmmm. You guessed it.
The person didn't even *find you* on internet, so they don't know you exist.
They may not live in your town, they might even live overseas and want to order gumboots as a present for their uncle who lives on a farm outside Wollongong.
What a shame you didn't have a website so they could find you, too!
............................................................ The scenario above is a simple one, but highlights one of benefits of having a website. ............................................................
:::::: What other reasons are there to think of having a website? ::::::
............................................................ REACH A WIDER AUDIENCE ............................................................
* you may not need shoppers from other side of world, but it would be nice to be accessible to potentially thousands of customers in your own target location
............................................................ SAVING MONEY ............................................................
* internet is one of least expensive ways to advertise you or your business
* where else can you produce a *full colour brochure* which you can change every day if you want to - at no extra cost?
............................................................ CUSTOMER SERVICE ............................................................
* you can have a Frequently Asked Questions page on your website, and also give details on how locals can find your store and let them know when you will be open for service to answer their queries
* there's no *hard sell* when customers go to your site - they might prefer to read all about your business before they venture into your office, or car yard, or shop
* customers might feel a sense of comfort knowing that you are willing to advertise yourself online - after all you have put your business name and all contact details online for everyone to see; this could give them confidence to trust you
* having a website often gives your business credibility it might not otherwise have received; it gives impression that you have a quality business
