One: Customer Service
Businesses have adopted fax machines, pagers, voice mail, mobile phones, in an effort to cater to their customers needs. The web is the next extension of making your company accessible to your customers. Whether it is communication via email, or access to the latest information about your company, the web helps make you more accessible to your customers. If customer service is important for your company, you must have a web site.
Two: Public Relations
The Internet is a great tool for Public Relations. If you want to make the latest information about your company available to journalists, investors, business partners and the public, a web site is the best way to get your message out immediately. For many people, using the web is the quickest, easiest way to find the goods and services they want. You may not be using the web -- but you can be sure that your competitors are.
Three: Leverage Existing Advertising
When used in combination with your existing advertising, a web site can help increase the effectiveness of your advertising. If a potential customer sees your web address they are more likely to look at your site to learn more about your products and services.. By providing your customers with the opportunity to become a part of your electronic mailing list, you can be connected to them like never before. Also, putting your new Internet web site address on business cards, letterhead, signs, announcements, advertisements, etc., will communicate to the world that you are progressive and service-minded. It can only serve to enhance your business image.
Four: Make Money
Online commerce is one of the most exciting aspects of the Internet. An interactive online catalog makes your company's products accessible everywhere in the world, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. This incredible tool can be a profit center for your business.
Five: The "Equalizer" Effect
The web in many respects functions as a great "equalizer". On the web, no one knows how big or small your company is. If you are a small company trying to look big, a great looking and functional web site can make you look world class. If you are already a big company you need a world class web site if you want to stay competitive.
Six: Cost Effectiveness
A web site is very cost effective. While it cannot replace your existing sales, advertising, retailing, customer support and public relations efforts, it makes all these business functions more effective. And though web site development is not without cost, the cost is limited. However the reach of your web site is worldwide and 24 hours per day. Publishing on the web is very inexpensive. Changing the information on your web site is also fast and efficient, whereas changing printed material can be costly and time consuming. Considering that a newspaper ad can cost thousands of dollars to be run just one time, web sites are easily the most cost effective media today. In addition your site can include features that no printed brochure or newspaper ad can offer, such as video and sound.
Seven: Customer Demand
Customers expect and demand web access. Communication and commerce via the web is not only convenient, but today it is expected. If you cannot meet customer needs online, you may not get another chance to serve them as they may go to someone else.
Eight: Open 24 Hours, 365 Days
A web site doesn't take vacations. It doesn't call in sick, need retirement or medical benefits. A web site never asks for a raise. If you are interested in controlling the costs of business expansion, a web site can help you to accomplish that goal.
Nine: Customer Tracking
A web site can help you understand your customers better. Web tracking software can track your customers interests, to help you know where to concentrate your efforts. Discovering what your customers really want and need can be a difficult task. With the proper use of survey forms and questionnaires on your web site you can get a clearer view from the customer's perspective. You can also use your site to preview new products and services, and get customer feedback before offering them to the general public.
Ten: Project a Favorable Image
With over 100 million potential customers on the Web today and growing , why not show them what your company is all about. A Web Site shows them that you are current with new technology and at the leading edge, not trailing behind. For many customers, your web site may be their only access to information about your company's services and products. You may not be personally using the web -- but you can be sure that your competitors are.
Eleven: Increase Your Market
The cost of entering a new market for your products or services can be prohibitive. With a web site you can tap into markets in other regions without the expenses traditionally associated with entering new markets. Of course the web site can't take the place of a regional office completely, but it can offer you a chance to establish a "beachhead" before investing in an office.
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