Reasons you should Embrace the Web

In difficult economic times, it's natural to want to cut down on marketing dollars spent. However, we believe that the Internet is a marketing tool that will help you to survive tough economic times and not something that should be cut. In other words, web-based advertising is more important now than it ever has been.

A website is quite simply a gateway to your business, organization or thoughts. It provides instantaneous communication to anyone with an internet connection.

What you do with your website can be as unique as you are. A church may use it as an evangelistic tool; a politician may use it to gain support for his platform; a small business may use it to collaborate on projects or sell products. The world is quite literally at your fingertips.

Here are some reasons why you should be on-line:

• The web is cost effective

  A modest website costs roughly the same as a large advertisement in a daily newspaper, and can convey much more information. A newspaper ad has a limited lifetime and geographical reach, whereas a website is longer term and global in scope.

• Your website can adapt and grow with you

  Using a Database Driven Website, you can build content over time. A website is dynamic, not a one-shot deal like other traditional media.

• The web is timely

  You can keep a website up-to-date far more frequently than traditional media. You can change and adapt your message daily, if need be.

• Improved customer service

  A website is the perfect place to put product manuals, hints and tips, photographs, video and articles about your products to provide extra support for users of your products.

• The results are measurable

  Using traffic analysis, you can get a clear idea of the visitors to your website, and what they view. No other medium shows you such results-based detail.

• The web provides improved communication

  Using the web, you can engage in direct conversations with your customers and build a stronger, more loyal following.

• A website is now expected

  More and more businesses and consumers are using the web to find suppliers or products. Not having a website in this age is much the same as not having a telephone.

• The web reduces customer service costs

  How much of your staff time is taken up answering typical questions? Your website can answer these in more depth and with better results, over and over without the costs associated with staff answering these questions.

• The web is your on-line brochure

  Customers who hear about you can check you out later on the Net. Current customers can find out what your new offerings are.

• The web has a large potential audience

  Studies show that about 80% of us now spend as much time online as we do watching television. If you don't have a website, you're missing that entire potential.

• The web improves systems

  From downloadable and printable brochures, to internal and external communications and other systems, the web costs less than paper shuffling and telephone calls.

• A picture is worth a thousand words

  Sharp, clear color pictures can take the place of long, drawn-out explanations and show off your products and services to excellent advantage without the cost of printing new brochures every time you introduce a new product.

• The web builds brand awareness

  People use the web to speak about products or services whether you have a website or not. Using the web, you can join and engage the community.

• The web is global

  You can sell to your town or city, or you can use the web to sell globally. The web is an exporter's dream platform.

• The web works while you sleep

  The web is 24 hours, seven days a week. Your office or shop is not. Why should you stop selling or marketing when you go home at the end of the day?

• The web is faster

  Using a website, web-based coupons, email newsletters and campaigns means instant communication, not time lagged direct mail or traditional advertising.

• Your competition is already here

  If you don't have a website, we can assure you, your competition most likely does. If people can't find you, they will find your competitor. Why let them have the advantage?

Websites are fantastic at getting extra customers through the door. A website provides customers an excellent first impression, like a radio or newspaper ad. Unlike a radio or newspaper ad, a website also provides in depth detail for customers who wish to know more about your products and services.

A website keeps your brand visible 24 hours a day 7 days a week to a global audience. Today, more people have access to the internet than read a newspaper.

These days, most customers are happy to be referred to your website to find details about your products and services. This will save you time and money answering enquiries. It also ensures every customer is provided the same information about you and your offerings. It is a good practice to ensure that your web address is advertised on every piece of literature you have printed, including business cards, brochures, letterhead, etc.

The point is that there is no reason for any small business not to be on-line and on-line in a professional, powerful manner. That way, when a customer wants to find your menu of products, they will.

If not, they'll go somewhere else.

It's time to embrace the web!

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