I Don’t Need A Website!….Do
I?
Once
upon a time, in a small home office, a busy entrepreneur
wondered why he wasn’t quite as busy as he would
like to be. “I market my business as much as
possible”, said the entrepreneur, who has implemented
many marketing procedures while running his business.
Our
entrepreneur, we’ll call him Bob, runs a computer
repair business. His services allow him to provide
his clients with his expert advise, either in their
offices, by email, or on the phone. Because of this,
Bob has a large potential market, both locally and
internationally.
Bob
has a great brochure, filled with all his features
and benefits; he attends as many networking events
as he can; he advertises in the local newspapers;
and he has a huge ad in the yellow pages. But, Bob
doesn’t have a website. Why?
“I
don’t need a website, do I?” asks Bob. “I
do everything else possible to market my business
and I also get many customers by referrals. Why would
I need a website?”
Glad
you asked Bob! Let’s see if we can’t outline
some of the benefits of having a website… both
locally and internationally…
Your
website is a live brochure that is available for anyone
to see from anywhere, no matter if they are 5 miles
away or 5000 miles away.
For
potential local clients, they may first find your
company in the yellow pages but, if they are looking
for more information about you and the services you
offer, the Internet is one of the first places they
will look to do their research.
Many
potential long distance clients may be in different
time zones or would rather not make a long distance
call. Because of these factors, the Internet is where
they would go for more information. Having a website
enables your information to be available anytime and,
by including your email address on your site, they
have a cheaper and more convenient of contacting you.
Your
website allows you to create and show much more of
your information than a print ad or brochure. The
more information you provide, the more likely a potential
client will be to buy from you as they can see everything
they need to know. You can even include a little something
extra, such as tips and resources, to help your clients
see your dedication to providing topnotch customer
service.
Your
website also allows you to be more creative in how
your present your information than with something
that is in print. You can add bells and whistles (but
not too many) that show that can be creative in your
efforts.
Many
people use the Internet to find out more information
about products or services that they are in need of.
Your website is a means of offering information to
those who may be researching online before buying.
If you don’t have a website, how are they going
to even get a chance to see what you have to offer?
In
the same respect, if a potential client has heard
about you but can’t find your business card,
they may turn to the Internet to try and locate your
contact information or to learn more about you.
Your
website opens the door to a larger market of prospective
clients. Even if your service is normally only performed
locally, there is always the potential to expand.
And, you are more likely to increase your local client
base if your website is available for them to research
your service.
Even
if you cater to only a specific clientele, your website
can be a place for them to visit or where they can
point others to who they are referring to you.
Your
website is the one piece of marketing material that
is easy to change without a huge cost. So, if you
have a special event coming up or you want to include
more information on a certain service, you simply
have your web designer make the change. And, almost
instantly, your information is fresh and visible,
without the costs of reprinting new marketing material.
We
could go on and on about the benefits of having a
website. In short, having a website is the ‘way
to go’ these days and, if your company does not
have a website, are you losing customers? Are they
finding your competition when using the Internet but
not you? Are they wondering why you do not have a
website when all of your competition does?
Your
website is your company’s 24 hour advertising
medium. Why wouldn’t you consider having one?
Bob?
About the Author:
Janice
Byer is a certified Master Virtual Assistant and owner
of Docu-Type Administrative & Web Design Services
(http://www.docutype.net).
See this and other articles on her website.
jbyer@docutype.net
