The importance of a website
In today’s business world, it is imperative that your business have a website. Nearly every household has internet access, with many having more than one computer. The internet allows people to view companies around the world, not just your hometown. If you have a product or service to sell, you are able to sell it to anyone, anywhere.
Your website is open 24/7 and can be more effective than any other form of advertising. If done correctly, you will have a better return on investment. Your website needs to be professionally designed and be able to transmit your company’s message in a few seconds. It needs to have enough content that can let the user know what you do and what you sell.
Having a website is not to be ‘hip’ any longer. Not having a website is very damaging. Compare it to going to a Business 400 networking event without business cards. In today’s world, people study businesses more and research more on the product/service that they are wanting to buy. If you don’t have a website, you probably just lost a sale.
A website is able to be updated at any time. If you made an error posting a price, you can fix that in a few seconds. How long, and expensive, would it be to have to replace 1,000 brochures that contain the same error? Websites allow you to put endless amounts of information on it. With print and television advertising, you are very limited as to what information you can put out. With the web, you can have as much information about your products and services as you desire.
Now that you have a website, how do you get people to get to it? The best way is through search engine optimization. Being able to get listed high in the search engines will allow more people to find your business. You don’t want to have a great website hidden on page 12 of a google search for your product. You want to be on page 1. Most people quit searching after page 2 of the results. Can you afford to not have a high listing? Other forms of promoting your website online are paid advertising through search engines, links from other sites, and banner advertising.
When deciding to build your website, you need to fully understand that it’s another tool to use to bring in business. If done correctly, it will bring in a lot of business. Your website is your identity, so make sure you have one.
About the Author
Chip Curle is the owner of Charles Curle Design, an Atlanta web design company that develops and manages web sites and drives companies to the top of internet search engines through search engine optimization. His work has earned Chip 14 ADDY (American Advertising Federation) awards including 8 Gold, 4 Silver, and 2 Best of Show.
