Why You Need A Web Site

"I have a small business with just a couple of employees and I dont think my product can really be sold online. Do I need a web site?" In this day and time, there is very little that cant be sold over the Internet. There are over million people shopping online, buying everything from movies to cars to real estate property. Research predicts that revenues will be over $ billion in and will grow at a rate of to percent over the next few years. These numbers alone should be enough to persuade you that you and your business should be online. Regardless of whether you sell your product online, you should at the very least have an online presence so that customers, potential employees, partners and even potential investors can easily and quickly find more information about your company, the products and services you have to offer, as well as how to contact you. But Can I Afford a Web Site? Given the competition and current market trends you cant afford NOT to. Think of your web site as your new marketing tool which, when applied correctly, will generate a return on investment. Your competition is probably already on-line and you need to use every possible avenue just to keep up. You should look at having a web site as an investment in you and your companys future. So whatever time or money you currently spend on marketing, supplementing it with a web site is probably a good idea. Your site will help you expand geographically and compete on a much larger scale. Leveling the Playing Field One of the most wonderful things about the Internet is that its helped to level the playing field when it comes to competition with the bigger companies. With a professional-looking web site, your small business can project the image and professionalism of a much larger company. Its also a good signal to potential customers that you take things seriously. Breaking the Ice into e-Commerce Taking credit card orders over the Internet is quite an investment, especially if you dont already have a merchant account. There are several e-Commerce solutions that can be custom-built for you that use payment gateways such as PayPal, which only requires a bank account and an email address. Customers can pay you through their credit card or even their checking account, and its a great solution if youre looking to test the waters. The Bottom Line To be taken seriously, its not enough that you simply have a web site, but you must have a professional-looking web site. Many customers now search for information online before making a purchase; your web site may be the first chance you have at making a good impression on a potential buyer. If your site looks like it was designed by Uncle Bob, your chance at making that good first impression will be lost. No matter what size your business is, and even if you're not planning on selling online, a well-made web site is essential for any business. If you dont have a web site, youre already losing business to companies that do.