WHY SMALL BUSINESSES?

EVEN A SMALL BUSINESS CAN BENEFIT FROM A WEB SITE

Research indicates that small businesses need web sites to compete. According to Gene Marks, CPA, is the owner of the Marks Group, roughly 10 million small businesses in this country do not have a Web site, but 20 million of the competitors do. The survey reports that 40% of small businesses do not have a Web site (another survey put the number closer to 60%).

While major corporations would never consider it, many small businesses mistakenly cut corners by using template web sites that do not effectively portray their company. Having your own custom-designed web site with your own Internet address is like having a high-quality display advertisement in a phone book with millions of readers.

In the new millennium, the letters www._____.com have the same customer draw as the numbers 1-800 did in the last century.

HOW SMALL IS SMALL?

Well, actually, we don't believe that there is any such thing as too small. No business is too small to benefit from a web site, even a startup with only a home page and one or two interior pages.

EVEN JUNIORS HAVE SENIOR MOMENTS

At times people will see your store or hear about your business, but only remember the name. Many of them will try looking for a web site to get more information (such as where you are or how to order something) rather than calling Information - which they have to pay for.

MAKING $$$$ WITH A SMALL WEB SITE

• Compete with other companies - The Internet has become an online phone book. If your small business is not on the web, the consumers will buy from your competitor.

• Enhance your Professional image - A well designed small business website creates image of an already established company. It allows a small business to compete with larger companies leveling the playing field.

• Expand the market reach of your product or service - you may be a local company targeting your marketing to the surrounding geographic area.

• Provide technical information for your customers 24/7 - A website can provide you leads without the additional labor costs.

• Advertise - Advertising in local papers and magazines is very expensive and targeting a general audience not likely to buy from your business. Everything is moving to the web. A website is up 24x7 and can provide detailed information about your product or service. People on the web are a specific audience who are searching for your products and service unlike TV, Radio and newspaper.

The point is that you do not have to sell anything directly off of the web site to make money. Instead, a web site can display your products and provide the information necessary to contact you. According to Internet World Stats, there are 227,719,000 million active online users of the Internet in the US as of February 2010. Prospects are searching for your products and services. Having a small business website allows consumers to find your small business. If your prospects were currently looking for your product or service, would they find you?