****JavaScript based drop down DHTML menu generated by NavStudio. (OpenCube Inc. - http://www.opencube.com)****
Web Site Design & Development - Getting Started
Why does my business need a web site?
The key reasons for having a web site center on the benefits it provides to the areas of sales and marketing in your business such as:
1. Information about your business is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and for 365 days in a year
This is tantamount to having a sales representative for your business available to impart information about your products and services to prospects at any time of the year. No overtime payment required!
2. Expand your reach – near or far
With the internet, your web site (and therefore your message) can easily be accessed by anyone in the world, provided they have an internet connection. They can be someone in your suburb looking up your information or they can be interstate or halfway around the world considering your products and services.
3. Communication
Your web site is a great way to keep the communication lines open to your prospects or customers. It’s also a great way to collect feedback from them.
4. Establish your presence on the Internet
People expect to be able to find more information about your business on the internet today because a lot of research is done on the internet. If they can’t find any, your competitors are only a mouse click away.
5. A cheaper and more flexible medium
Unlike any printed marketing materials or advertisements, a web site offers unparalleled ability to change. This means it’s the best and most cost-effective way to offer the most up to date news on your products and services.
6. Collect information for a mailing list
The web site can help to create mailing lists for marketing emails such as newsletters or product specials. Once on your mailing list, your cost to reach them through email is virtually zero.
7. Online Ordering
Sales orders can be processed online without requiring anyone to field sales calls or walk in traffic.
8. Customer Support
There are many ways that customer support can be provided on a web site. For example, if a list of commonly asked questions and answers was provided on your web site, some of the load could be taken off telephone support calls in a DIY fashion since customers can refer to the web site to answer their questions. Another example might be the provision of digital copies of documents your customers might require. If they lose it, they know straight away where they can get another copy without having to call in and ask for one. It’s less work for you and more immediate service for the customer.
9. Improve your branding
By giving customers reason to return to your web site, whether that be for customer support or information on new products and services, the act of continuous interaction with your web site gives you a capacity to maintain strong brand recognition with the customer
10. Market your business
Having a web site opens up the internet as another channel through which you can market your business. It not only reinforces any offline marketing that you do (see point 4), but also enables you to carry out online marketing – a growing market. More to the point, online marketing can often be more cost effective than offline marketing. Without a web site however, online marketing isn’t even an option you can consider.
