Should I get a web site for my business? 

There are several reasons for having a web site; including
-                       marketing
-                       information dissemination
-                       e commerce

Marketing

The number of users on the Internet is growing very fast, and more and more consumers are using the Internet to gather purchasing information, including
-                       availability
-                       price
-                       options
-                       etc.

If your business involves any type of marketing then an Internet site should be considered in the same way as any other advertising media, e.g. press, leaflets, etc.

As someone said ‘half my marketing budget is wasted, but I don’t know which half’.

Some of the benefits/disadvantages of an Internet site are:
-                       world wide audience, but only for those with Internet access and knowledge. Access if your market is likely to appeal to those with Internet  access. Remember the adage that the Internet is only for yuppies and students is disappearing fast, and many people are now compulsive surfers.

-                       available 24 hours a day

-                       can be kept right up to date; ideal for promoting prices and offers etc

-                       a poor site will be a waste of money; and the following will effect the quality of your site.
Time it takes to down load
Clarity of the message it purveys
Ease of navigation around the site
Ease of use of contact forms, etc.

 Also ensure your site is well promoted by being on all the major search engines with applicable search words, on applicable directories and promoted via your media outlets, e.g. business cards, documents, adverts, etc.

 Information dissemination 

The Internet is an ideal way of broadcasting information to a known audience (e.g. current customers).

 This information can include:
-                       press releases
-                       announcements
-                       prices
-                       offers
-                       day specials (e.g. for restaurants)

These type of sites will be different from marketing sites as the audience will know what they want to find out and will expect it to be consistent formats and up to date.

These sites can only be seen as complementary to other means of information broadcasting, e.g. newsletters, price lists and catalogues; as not all of the target audience will have access to the Internet, but in due course more and more will have Internet access as Internet via Digital TV becomes more widely used.

E Commerce

This is where customers order and purchase via the Internet.

This is also growing fast, but many consumers are hesitant to buy over the Internet owing to the publicity surrounding credit card fraud.

The costs of producing and operating an e commerce site are far higher than a marketing or information site, therefore before proceeding do the necessary market research to ensure that consumers will buy your products over the Internet; e.g. without seeing and feeling the products. Again, there is evidence that consumers will buy many different types of products over the Internet.

Also, ensure that you put the procedures and logistics in place to cope with and satisfy Internet orders, which may be placed in high numbers, from all over the world.
Again, ensure that you have the procedures in place to cope with queries and returns. These procedures can be built into the same web site to allow for queries to be registered and authorisation for returns to be given.

Also, ensure that the web site will attract customers and will encourage them to make purchases; key to this are:
-    speed of operation
-    ease of use
-    quality of information
-    presentation