7 Reasons to Have Your Own Business Web Site

Nielsen Media Research estimates the number of Internet users in the United States has reached 168 million, with the average user spending 10 hours online per month, and they predict that more than 106 million will shop online this December. When you have an Internet presence and promote your web site locally (in your other advertising, on your business cards, flyers, etc.) and encourage people to go to your site for "Internet only" specials, you're branding your name. When these people have a need that is a product or service you offer, you'll be the first call they make and have an excellent opportunity to turn them into loyal customers.

Shoppers who use the Internet are looking for answers. What are your hours? What lines do you stock? What lines can you order? Do you offer financing? What about rentals? Do you accept American Express? Where is your store? When is your next sale? Why should anyone do business with you? What are your interest rates? Do you have any special deals/rebates going on? Do you ever get any used stuff in? Do you take trades?

Even when your store is closed, your web site is working for you. The Internet is a cost-effective way to provide your customers with immediate access to your products and service information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No other media is so immediate and with so much potential for providing customer information.

If you've been in business for awhile, you probably hear the same old questions over and over again. Answer these questions before they're even asked by posting the answers on your Web site. You'll save your customers and your sales staff valuable time.

Successful companies are constantly looking for any advantage they can find over their competitors. Thousands of businesses go online every day, including your competition. Also, if you think your present markets are safe -- think again! Your client base is under attack, and not just from your traditional competitors, but from the business in the next town, the next state, or the next country. Use the Internet to compete with all of them.

Compared to other media, an Internet web site is relatively inexpensive to set up and maintain. Changes and additions are easily made. Think of what it would cost to run a full-page, full-color ad in the local print media for 365 days a year. Also, when a visitor is on your site, you have his or her exclusive attention. You do not have to share your space with anyone else such as you do with newspapers, magazines, or television, and radio ads.

Think of all the unique ways you can make your customers' lives easier. How about taking online loan applications, or helping customers find rare or hard-to-find items? All they have to do is type in their names, addresses, and phone numbers, and you can call or e-mail them back with the answers. You can easily add value to your products by providing information not readily available elsewhere. For example, if you owned a greenhouse business you could provide information on the proper care of cacti and other plants, watering guidelines, and soil mixes. This free information adds value to your site. When you add value, visitors easily make the transition to becoming customers when they have a need for your products and services.