10 ways Small Business can benefit from a professionally designed website
George Susini – Small Business Web Design, eCommerce, CMS and SEO
1. Save money on advertising! A website is easier and quicker to update than printed brochures and price lists. Its capacity is almost limitless, so you can provide more comprehensive information. You can also save money on printing and mailing costs by referring potential customers to your website.
2. Your business is open 24/7! Improve customer service by providing answers to frequently asked questions on your website. Sales and information requests can be processed automatically and immediately, whether there’s anyone in the office or not. Online forms can be used to allow customers to request quotations or ask for further information.
3. Set up an online shop – rents in cyberspace are much lower than they are in the real world! Providing secure online ordering is now affordable even for the smallest business.
4. Expand your market. If you want to trade internationally, or even nationally, and your customers have access to the internet, the Web may be the most cost-effective way to do it.
5. Gather information about your customers at minimal cost – using online surveys or simply analysing the traffic information collected by your web server can provide valuable information about who your online customers are and what they want.
6. Provide personalized information to individual customers based on their preferences. No other medium allows you to do this so cheaply. Your website can add value by providing something extra for your customers.
7. Get ahead of your competitors! If they don’t have websites yet – get in there first! If they do, study them and think of ways to make yours better!
8. Boost your image. For small businesses, a well-designed website is a great way of instilling trust, and looking professional and bigger than you are!
9. Keep in touch with existing customers by sending out a monthly HTML e-mail or e-newsletter. Announce new products or services or offer useful advice and industry advances to motivate customers for repeat sales or to upgrade their existing equipment.
10. Advertise your business. Think of your business website as an online brochure. What makes it different from the traditional print brochure is that your existing and potential customers can access it anytime and anywhere.
George Susini of Raleigh Tech – Web Design