do i need a website?
There are no simple answers to that question, but it is increasingly true that having a web page is as important as having a business card. Many people looking for products and services will start with something that is always at their fingertips, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week — the internet. They can be vague about what they are searching for. The extremely vague will be punished mercilessly by search engines which will dish up thousands of mostly unrelated pages. But those with discernment will find what they're looking for. And if your business is not there, they will look elsewhere.
More importantly, if they happen to be looking for your business in particular "do you remember that great day spa we went to in the Blue Mountains?" If you have no web presence, they will find your competitors who do.
Whilst the answer may require in-depth analysis of your specific situation, here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Are most of your customers likely to use computers and the internet? If the answer is no, then a web presence is unlikely to be worth the investment. Concentrate your marketing on mediums most likely to reach your market.
- Is there information about your business or products that it is useful to have access to at any time? People booking holidays, tours or adventure activities don't always do so during business hours, and the web is the natural place for them to their research options.
- Is your business highly specific, and people often find difficulty finding you? Sometimes people don't know where to look for suppliers or services that are very specific, or niche. The internet is increasingly the place that cutomers turn to find such goods and services.
- Do most businesses like yours have a web presence?If most of your competitors have a web presence and you don't, then potential, and even existing clients, may find it more convenient to deal with someone they find on-line.
- Are there lots of businesses like yours, competing for a very selective clientele (B&B's for example)? If you have a business where clients are browsing a lot of options, looking for something reasonablyy unspecific, and are influenced by images, atmosphere, etc. then the web is for you. Ideally you should register with a directory site that specialises in your business area. They may, as part of their fee provide you with a simple web page, which in many cases will be sufficient for your needs. If you need a more comprehensive web page, then you can link from the directory to your more detailed site.
- Do you have brochures or information packages that people often ask for? If yours is the type of business where people take brochures or information packs away to think about, it may well be worth the investment of having that material on-line, for their convenience and your printing costs.
Remember, a website is just a tool, like business cards, brochures, information packs and advertising.
If you decide to invest in a website, make sure you don't pay for the Rolls Royce when you only need a Corolla , or buy a zippy little car when you need a truck. Start simply is the key, you can always grow your site when you find out how well the web is working for you.
If you're not sure whether you need a website, please contact us, and we can help you assess your business needs.
TOP ^