| I am frequently asked, "Why do I need to get on | | | | print web pages they find interesting or useful. |
| the Internet" and I often answer because you should | | | | 6 - Valuable Input |
| and you are already too late. I gave a three-part | | | | Your web site can allow quick feedback from |
| seminar on "Doing Business on the Internet" and one | | | | customers. Comments and suggestions are valuable |
| of my slides was "10 reasons I thought more | | | | input to improve your business and customer |
| Important". As I prepared to write for this article I | | | | relations. New web designs offer easy to install |
| thought it would be appropriate to reprint the | | | | auto-reply forms and "Thank You for visiting" replies. |
| reasons because they still are good. I have updated | | | | 7 - Greater Image |
| each reason because the Internet has changed and | | | | Greatly improve your professional image with your |
| continues to evolve. | | | | domain name ( printed on your business cards, |
| 1 - Identity | | | | stationery and advertising material. Tell people that |
| Let people know your name, who you are, where | | | | you really mean business. The traditional methods of |
| you are and what you do. The information | | | | advertising are still very important and I have learned |
| superhighway has no geographical limit. It is open 24 | | | | the Internet CANNOT be used by itself and be |
| hours a day and 7 days a week. If you are not | | | | successful. |
| there, potential customers may not know that you | | | | 8 - Flexible Tool |
| even exist. Acquiring a domain name(s) is very | | | | Once your business is online, you can use your web |
| important and it is a must for anyone contemplating | | | | site creatively as a flexible marketing tool. The only |
| doing business on the Internet. Getting your DOT | | | | limit is your imagination. You can add and expand |
| com is very inexpensive and there are a number of | | | | your site to perform any additional task as you grow |
| reputable companies offering inexpensive domain | | | | in the future. New web tools allow you to make |
| name registration. | | | | website changes and eliminate the cost of having |
| 2 - Product and Service Information | | | | another person do for you. Many of our clients make |
| Exposure is the key, and information is a powerful | | | | their own changes. If you want to be creative at 2 |
| marketing tool. Educate the public with detailed | | | | o'clock in the morning, let the fun begin. Ask your |
| information about why and how they can benefit | | | | hosting company if you can make the changes |
| from using your products and services. Remember, | | | | yourself, if not; consider moving your site to an |
| content is the key. Provide a site visitor a clear | | | | hosting company that allows you to make your |
| definition of why he/she should buy your product or | | | | changes. (most hosting companies offer "content |
| service. Fill the need and they will buy. | | | | manager" type options that allow you to control your |
| 3 - Search Directories | | | | content). |
| Internet surfers often use search directories to | | | | 9 - Low-cost Investment |
| access information by locations, topics or keywords . | | | | Your web site is truly low-cost advertising. It is a |
| . . How can you get listed in the directories to be | | | | marketing tool you can use again and again for years. |
| accessible by the public when you don't even have a | | | | Please compare the contents and the cost of your |
| web page? You have a "link" or a listing on another | | | | web site with advertisements on newspapers and |
| website. Just having an address on someone's | | | | magazines monthly, quarterly and yearly. Web sites |
| website will not get you found unless the visitor goes | | | | do not have to be expense and I tell people "grow |
| to the address of the hosting company and proceeds | | | | your web site" as you learn what is happening on the |
| to navigate the website in search of a product or | | | | site and the questions you are getting. The only |
| service that might be yours. | | | | other cost is the month hosting fee (the monthly fee |
| 4 - Broader Customer Base | | | | will vary but make sure you REALLY check the |
| Your Internet presence exposes you to greater | | | | hosting company's reputation and up-time). |
| numbers of potential customers, whether you want it | | | | 10 - Why Not? |
| to be local, regional, nationwide or worldwide. This is | | | | Today you see web site addresses shown |
| the real value of the Internet. It offers new markets | | | | everywhere on all kinds of media. Many businesses |
| and opportunities. | | | | now have web sites, and web sites are here to stay. |
| 5 - Point of Contact | | | | In fact, it's very noticeable for you not to have a |
| Use your web site as a storefront where potential | | | | web site even if you only display one page: Name of |
| customers can enter and find answers. Here you | | | | company, address, telephone and fax numbers, E-mail |
| provide names, numbers, addresses and directions to | | | | address and a short description of your product or |
| allow people to get in touch with you. Make sure if | | | | service. |
| you have an existing website, you put all of the | | | | For those who do not own a web site, don't wait. |
| point-of-contact information on every page. People | | | | Act Now! |