The Benefits of a Website
The ever-growing number of businesses that have embraced the Internet as a powerful advertising venue speaks for itself. However, many business owners aren't aware of the variety of advantages a website offers.
Accessibility
Suppose you'd like to find some new customers. If you place a print advertisement it's likely the only folks to phone are those who have definite interest in securing your services.
But how many others might be swayed if they could learn a little more about you, your company, your products, etc., without having to phone or taking the time to meet you in person? A website provides that opportunity by allowing you to publish the Who, What, Why, Where, and How of your business in a powerful and attractive manner.
Reduce
Publishing Costs
Designing, printing, and delivering marketing materials can be expensive. It’s often one of the largest expenses a business can incur.
With a website you can instantly publish that same information: new product announcements, employment opportunities, contact information, job openings, surveys, coupons, investor information, almost anything, without material or delivery costs. Folks can learn about it instantly just by visiting your website.
Reduce
Marketing Costs
Buying advertising space, whether it's a newspaper ad, billboard, or radio spot, can be expensive. Adding to the burden are the hours spent trying to figure out the perfect set of words to say everything you want within the constraints of your ad.
By advertising your website in addition to your product, you give folks the opportunity to learn far more about your product than you can ever place in an ad.
Test and Expand your Marketplace
Come up with a new advertising campaign and want to try it? Just update your website and tell your customers. Want to see if you can expand your marketing reach? Try placing a few small ads promoting the website in other regions to gauge the interest before you commit to a larger campaign.
Reduce Communication Costs
A website can do far more than sell products, it can supply your staff and business partners with pertinent and timely information. Practically any printed matter can be converted to a webpage and distributed by email at far less cost and time than by fax, mail, or courier.
Increase Sales
An online presence is a wise and inexpensive investment. You can sell to your existing customers 24/7 and expand your reach to a market that may have been difficult or expensive to reach through traditional advertising.
Reduce Support Costs While Improving Quality
How much time does your support staff spend repeatedly answering the same questions by phone? What are the costs to track down and deliver solutions to clients? A website lets you publish support information with up-to-the-minute accuracy. In fact some companies, software companies in particular, only offer support through their website. If the website doesn't offer the answer an online feedback form is provided. This is a benefit that is frequently underrated.
Enhance
Your Image
Since
every website starts as a blank slate the Internet offers the opportunity for a
small-business "David" to portray itself as a big-business
"Goliath': (Or, for the Goliath to fall flat by having a website that
poorly represents its true stature.)