Webmaster Papers




Google
 
Web webhostingpapers.com




/pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">

6 Reasons Why A Website Is Crucial To Your Business


Since I'm a web designer, I have a tendency to think everyone understands that having a website is important. Every once in a while, I have to remind myself that some people just haven't heard yet!

Why is having a website such a big deal? Here are 6 reasons:

  • A website increases your credibility.

    Your website has a powerful impact on a potential customer's confidence in you. A professional design, well-written copy, helpful product information, and good contact info can tremendously increase trust in your company. It lets people know you're knowledgeable and up-to-date. If you take the time to develop a good-quality site with helpful information, visitors will have no choice but to be impressed.

  • A website makes your company visible anytime, anywhere.

    As of April 2002, there are roughly 165.8 million people online in the US alone. Some of them are looking for your products and services. With a website, you open yourself up to a world of opportunity in reaching people who might not otherwise find you. With the click of a mouse, anyone can get to your company's website 24/7.

  • A website makes it easy for people to refer new customers to you.

    For many businesses, referrals are a crucial source of new customers. Having a website makes it easy to encourage referrals, because customers can simply send friends and business contacts to your site. Website addresses are easier to remember than phone numbers. Plus, giving people multiple ways of contacting you makes it more likely that they will do so.

  • A website is a powerful sales tool.

    Selling your products through an online store is often a killer way to expand your business. You have a perpetual, easily-accessed storefront--one that costs a fraction of a brick and mortar store and can reach many more people. Effective sales copy can do an incredible job of hooking visitors on your products and compelling them to click that "buy" button.

    Even if you can't sell your services directly over the internet, a website is still a powerful asset. It's a primer that you use to convince visitors of why they need your services. You get them salivating to buy, then invite them to contact you through your site.

  • A website increases the value of your advertising.

    Adding your website address to all your advertisments, business cards, and company literature is a great way to draw potential customers to your company. Providing a website gives people a way to act on your message whenever they hear about you or see an ad for your company. Going to a website is easier than writing, visiting a store, or even making a phone call. Customers get the information at their convenience and don't have to wait for a salesperson to help them. Also, it's often more comfortable to visit a website, because there is no obligation. Visitors don't feel pressured.

  • A website helps you stay in contact with potential customers.

    There are frequently people who are interested in what you have to offer, but they might not be ready to buy right now. You need to stay in contact with them so that you immediately come to mind when they ARE ready. A website is a great way to facilitate this. You can use your website to collect email addresses from visitors. Then you can periodically send out promotional emails or a newsletter. Staying in contact keeps your company fresh in visitors' minds.

    Well, there you have it--6 ways a website benefits your company and helps you sell more. Do you want to leave this opportunity to your competitors? Surely not! Each day you wait, you're letting them establish themselves online as THE resource in your field. Stop giving them that advantage!

    About The Author

    Jamie Kiley is the editor of Passing Notes, a web design newsletter. Get a hot, fresh web design tip delivered to your inbox every two weeks! Sign up now at http://www.kianta.com

    jamiekiley@kianta.com

    RELATED ARTICLES


    Website Re-Design?
    My site is working fine. The links work. Content is added regularly. We have new features. Why does my company need a re-design?
    Build It And Build It Cheap! Part II
    If you are familiar with my work, then you have probably taken a look at the first part of this article, and may well be on your way to having your website up and running. Congratulations!!! It's hard work, but having pride in the accomplishment is worth it! Now you have to find the people who want to see it, AKA--site traffic.
    Keep Your Navigation Simple!
    Navigation must be simple. Since it's the backbone of your site, it's imperative that visitors be able to understand it. Here are two tips on how to make simplicity a reality in your site:
    Dos and Donts in Web Design - part 2 (content)
    Do know your audience
    Save Time and Boost Profits with Free Content
    Public domain gives you a head start creating ebooks, ecourses, newsletters, teleconferences, website content and email registration incentives you need to keep in constant touch with clients and prospects.
    Hiring The Right Webmaster
    The Questions You Should Be Asking ? The Answers You Should Be Receiving
    Web Design: How To Get Your Visitors To Stay
    Remember the famous line from the movie Field of Dreams, "If you build it, they will come"? In the world of Internet marketing, you not only want them to come, you want them to stay.
    How To Choose A Website Designer
    Now that you have decided that it is time to create a website for your business there are many questions you must answer. One of the most important questions is "Who should create my website?"
    File Types For Icons Explained
    An application is not ready for use unless you have the proper icons for using into the application. Having the right icons for your application is not difficult if you have the help of a specialist or a specialized company to design the icons. The icon designer takes care of the whole design process starting from understanding what kind of icons are you looking for, designing them, submitting them for your approval and finalizing the icons to be used. The designer can also help you with choosing the most appropriate file types for the icons used into your application. But because you know better then anybody else the application for which the icons are, it is understandable that you'll be one of the people involved in choosing the file type for the icons. This is why it is a wise thing to know few things about the most common file types for icons.
    Will You Site be a BIG SUCCESS. 7 Reasons Why It Might Not!
    With so many new websites going up, it is hard sometimes to tell if your site will be a BIG SUCCESS or an unexpected flop? If you are unsure of whether or not your site will fly with visitors or crash and burn, this article is definitely for you. Now we all know the importance of great service, but if your website doesn't communicate this, then you could be headed for failure.
    Stop Sabotaging Your Sales
    Do your web pages, sales letters or personal presentations include subtle distractions that unnecessarily cause you to lose sales?
    Web Site Accessibility
    Making your site accessible means making it available to be used by all. It's too easy to think that what looks ok to you will do for all. Unfortunately, things aren't that simple.
    Caveat Scriptor: Use the Advice of Those Who Know Before You Build a Site
    ~A man [woman] is a success if he [she] gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he [she] does what he [she] wants to do. Bob Dylan~
    Website Design - Choosing Your Colors Wisely
    Colors convey emotions and emotions heavily influence the decision-making process. Your choice of colors for your website should mirror the message and feeling you to hope to communicate to the viewer. Let's take a look at some colors and what they mean to you and your website. Blue - the color of stability
    Do You Want To Save Time With Your Web Design?
    It starts off simply; a few HTML pages, a few hyperlinks, some affiliate links. Your mother is proud of her clever son. Then you install a forum, some more content, maybe consider using a Content Management System (CMS).
    How to Find Inexpensive Web Design
    Web design is a very competitive area and there is no longer any reason why people should pay large amounts for website design services.
    To Hire or Not to Hire a Website Designer
    In the early years of the internet the actual design of a website was either very basic or had to be done using a software package that needed a specialist to use it. Not surprisingly, website designers were in short supply and could command huge fees for their services. All that has changed dramatically and website design is not such a complicated procedure as you might think.
    Good Web Design ? What Is It?
    There is unlimited possibilities when it comes to designing a website. Flash, Database, content management, Client Login, etc,etc. A question to ask yourself when deciding how to do your website is:
    The Most Important Question To Ask About Your Web Site!
    When you design a website how do you start ?
    4 Things That Make A Web Site Great
    First you need original content. Content is the heart beat of any exceptional Web site. The ability to take a common subject and give it some interest and originality is a rare talent,but necessary to keep visitors coming back. Add a dash of humor, be sure to update once or twice a month and look out, you're on your way.