by: John Overall

Business will spend hundreds and even thousands on their print materials they also spend hundreds and thousands on their advertising, but they often forget that it is just as important to spend money on their web sites, which will last longer and often reach a broader audience than their other marketing strategies will. Think about it why would you think your web site deserves less attention than your other marketing efforts.

Marketing your business on the internet is no longer a choice for many businesses. Having a website has virtually become a necessity to compete effectively in today’s marketplace. No company can truly continue to ignore the fact that online marketing is a multi-billion dollar business. Businesses without an effective online presence are missing out on a goldmine of potential customers.

Although like everything else, there are exceptions to this rule and online marketing may not suit every business, however claiming to be the exception is often a disguise for making an excuse to not having a web presence. Smart Bomb Enterprises offers quality , professional web sites at a price that will fit into your budget.

The reality is that many businesses fail to appreciate the increase in revenue that a quality web site can bring to their business. Still others fear the change that a web site might bring to their business. Then there are the ones that put internet marketing and having a website into the too hard to do or too expensive basket and hope it will go away. Unfortunately, for these folks the internet is not going to go away it is simply going to get bigger and become more important for a business to have an online presence. The time is here now when it almost costs a business owner clients to not have an online presence.

The number of internet users has increased dramatically in the past few years and is expected to continue to increase. Many of these online users are turning to the internet to locate information about products and services before making a purchase. Microsoft has even gotten into the fray by offering an article online at http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/windowshop.mspx that tells people how to do a search for products and services before making a purchase.

The reasons that a business needs an online presence are many I have listed 12 of the major ones here.

1. Technology to compete – In the days before the internet many small business lacked the resources to compete with their larger competitors. Now even one-man shows can access much of the same technology that is available to the larger companies. They have the ability to use auto responders, accept online payments and even deliver products though the internet.

2. Niche markets abound throughout -- The internet has opened up many niche markets that where simply too expensive to service before and created many new markets that where previously unheard of.

3. Increase your business profile -- With a professionally designed website, it’s now easy for a business to have the appearance and credibility of a larger entity. This appearance of credibility has become very important in today’s marketplace.

4. Low cost – Compared to other media the internet allows a business to advertise at a much lower cost. It may not be a complete replacement for advertising but it is generally cheaper than television, radio or in newspapers, magazines and even direct mail.
        a. For example a 30 second spot on a local radio station can cost as much as $150.00 or more depending on the time and the station it is placed on, which over the course of a year can run thousands of dollars. With a web site that includes sound on it you can accomplish a similar task.

5. Open 24/7 – By automating your site your business is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year, with no extra staff costs or overtime to pay.

6. Serving you local area – Not everyone wants to drive all over town comparing prices and shopping for services. In this fast moving world, we all want things quick and easy. Using the internet is just that a quick and easy way to access information about products and services that we need. This can all be done in the privacy of our own homes with no fuel costs, no traffic to worry about and best of all …… no time wasted.
With more and more people turning to the internet as their first stop when researching a company, products or services to find out if the company has what they need it is becoming more important for a business to be online.

7. Reach a global audience – With more people coming online each year the net is reaching a larger audience all the time. The internet breaks down those geographical boundaries and limitations that where there before. With the help of search engines, people all over can now locate and buy products and services from every corner of the globe.

8. Easy costumer feedback – It is now possible with the internet to capture all kinds of visitor and customer information. Keeping in touch (via email)with these customers and prospective customers helps to cultivate long term relationships and the use of discussion forums is a popular way to get quick, low-cost customer feedback on your product or service.

9. Frequently Asked Questions – Almost all companies receive the same questions from clients repeatedly. You can now handle many of the most common questions that you have had to answer in the past by using your website. Your website can list the most common questions and answers for your products and services, which your customers may have. This can free up time that you can now spend on activities that are more productive.

10. Interactivity – The internet is more interactive and dynamic now than it was a few years ago. Some examples of this include:
- Automatic updates to products and services via a database.
- Easy automatic website content and image updating and changes.
- The increasing use of video and audio streaming online.

These and many other Internet services can save you business money and increase the efficiency of your business. They also open the door to many new marketing strategies and opportunities.

11. Test Market New Products – Having a quality web site can allow you the opportunity to test market new products or services easily and at a low cost. Placing a questionnaire on a website, or sending out email can test very quickly and inexpensively whether a product gets a good response. What’s more, different offers or approaches can be tested at the same time on different pages within the same site.

12. Use time sensitive offers – It’s very easy to quickly change promotions or offers on the internet. Having a time sensitive promotion such as running contests, or product specials can be a good way to attract traffic and sales to an online business. Email can be sent out or website offers changed almost instantly.

For those who haven’t developed a website for their business yet, now is a good time to start. Remember your competition may already have a site and now it is even easier for you to tap into almost any market, from almost any geographical location. Contact Smart Bomb Enterprises and find out how we can help you get going with a quality web design and hosting.

Marketing on the internet is not really a choice anymore. It has almost become a necessity to compete in today marketplace.

Smart Bomb Enterprises creates websites that meet these standards at a price that is fair and affordable. Making sure that your site meets your needs and your business is properly presented in the online world.

The internet has penetrated our lives in multiple ways and its expected to only increase its effect on our lives. This is changing how people research and buy products and services. So it is important to choose your designer with the same care you choose your lawyer, your accountant, and your financial advisor by making sure that the service you get from them will benefit you and your business.

About The Author John has a diploma in Applied Communication from Camosun College. He is also the founder of www.smartbomb.ca & www.smartbombhost.com His educational background is in the area of graphic design, web design & hosting. dragon@smartbomb.ca Permission is granted to reprint & reposte this article provided this box & all links remain intact.

This article was posted on September 6, 2005

 

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