Do You Really Need a Web Site?
| Category: Home Based Business - Marketing | Date: 2003-06-24 |
Soon, people will stop asking, Do you have a Web site? and start asking, What is your Web address? So you’d better be ready to give it to them.
In our electronic economy, a Web site is an essential marketing tool. Here are 4 things a Web site can do for your business:
A Web site gives you instant credibility. When you approach a new prospect, you have no credibility. You could be anyone from anywhere. But now, all your prospect has to do is log on to your Web site to see who you are. Two ways to do this are to post a list of clients’ names, and quotes from satisfied customers. People are more likely to believe great things about you if someone else says them.
A Web site provides anytime access to you and your information. Your prospects no longer have to go through you to check you out. They can simply go straight to your Web site and decide whether or not to make real contact, which means that if the fit isn’t right, neither your time nor theirs is wasted.
A Web site can build loyalty among your customers and prospects, which in turn builds your business. By providing useful information, you give people a reason to keep coming back to your site and encourage them to learn a little more each time about you, your products and your services.
A Web site expands your exposure and increases your visibility worldwide. Now people around the world are just a click away. That means your potential market is bigger than it has ever been before. And don’t assume it’s only for connecting with people in faraway places. Many business owners are using it to be accessible to and stay in touch with people right around the corner.
Your Web Site is the First Step in the Interview Process
The World Wide Web has added a new step to the process of shopping for almost any kind of product or service. It’s a step that comes at the very beginning of the getting-to-know-you period and makes everyone’s life yours and your prospect’s easier and more efficient.
Never before have your prospects been able to get information about you without first contacting with you. But now, because even a simple site allows you to convey so much more information than a brochure could, anyone can go to your Web site at anytime and check you out before making contact.
A firm’s Web site gives you an idea whether you want to touch and feel and make the connection, says a Creative Director for Internet-based market research provider, Harris Interactive. The Web gives me the ability to have confidence in someone’s work before I walk through the door.
How to Use a Web Site:
The goal of your Web site, then, is to provide enough information about you and your work to allow a prospect to decide whether to take the next step making real contact. Here are four ways to provide what your prospects need:
1. Explain, in detail, all the different services you offer. This is your chance to elaborate on your offerings, which you rarely have time to do in a conversation. With a Web site, you can use all the space you need to provide the information your prospects need to know. And because they went to your Web site, it’s likely they’re in an open frame of mind to read it.
Give clear and concise details about all the varied services and products you offer.
Offer examples of the kinds of jobs you’ve done.
Tell stories (with happy endings) about the problems you’ve solved for your customers.
Include some biographical information about who you are and what you do. A few personal details about your family, hobbies and work in your community help people get a better picture of who you are and will begin to inspire trust in you and your work.
Always include your contact information.
2. Show examples of your work. Use photographs of samples, an online portfolio, whatever you can to help your prospects see exactly what you offer.
Suggest ways to use your products or services that people might not have thought of. This can help create more business.
Combine these with quotes from customers, explaining how you worked, as well as what you did.
3. Educate your prospects. Provide information that educates your readers and prospects while at the same time, positions you as an expert in your field.
Articles, tips sheets, helpful hints, and links to other resources are all examples of useful information you can provide via your Web site.
People appreciate helpful information and advice, and it makes them more likely to turn to you in the future.
4. Capture email addresses so you can market to your prospects via email on a regular basis, rather than hoping they return to visit your site. This service builds loyalty that in turn, builds business.
Make it easy for customers to contact you and ask questions. Email is a great way to build a relationship with existing and new customers. Make sure to respond promptly!
Learn and Grow
Your Web site is an evolutionary, constantly changing, and never-ending project. In fact, it is likely to be the most time-consuming marketing tool you use. But it doesn’t have to be daunting. Remember, it’s not set in stone!
Work in phases. Don’t think it all has to be done before anyone sees it. Start small, with the basic, most important information. Then get feedback from friends and loyal customers, and learn from what they say. This will help you build a Web site that’s truly useful, both for yourself and your visitors and customers.
A Web site is essential if you want to be a part of the future. It can also be a fun, profitable way to work. Remember, the longest journey begins with a single step so even the biggest site begins with a single click! Let’s go!
About the Author
Ilise Benun is the publisher of the Web site for The Art of Self Promotion, a quarterly (print) newsletter of manageable marketing ideas, and the author of Self Promotion Online, an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning effective strategies to promote oneself via the internet.
artofselfpromotion.com
selfpromotiononline.com
(201) 653-0783
To contact see details below.
http://www.artofselfpromotion.com
http://www.selfpromotiononline.com
In our electronic economy, a Web site is an essential marketing tool. Here are 4 things a Web site can do for your business:
A Web site gives you instant credibility. When you approach a new prospect, you have no credibility. You could be anyone from anywhere. But now, all your prospect has to do is log on to your Web site to see who you are. Two ways to do this are to post a list of clients’ names, and quotes from satisfied customers. People are more likely to believe great things about you if someone else says them.
A Web site provides anytime access to you and your information. Your prospects no longer have to go through you to check you out. They can simply go straight to your Web site and decide whether or not to make real contact, which means that if the fit isn’t right, neither your time nor theirs is wasted.
A Web site can build loyalty among your customers and prospects, which in turn builds your business. By providing useful information, you give people a reason to keep coming back to your site and encourage them to learn a little more each time about you, your products and your services.
A Web site expands your exposure and increases your visibility worldwide. Now people around the world are just a click away. That means your potential market is bigger than it has ever been before. And don’t assume it’s only for connecting with people in faraway places. Many business owners are using it to be accessible to and stay in touch with people right around the corner.
Your Web Site is the First Step in the Interview Process
The World Wide Web has added a new step to the process of shopping for almost any kind of product or service. It’s a step that comes at the very beginning of the getting-to-know-you period and makes everyone’s life yours and your prospect’s easier and more efficient.
Never before have your prospects been able to get information about you without first contacting with you. But now, because even a simple site allows you to convey so much more information than a brochure could, anyone can go to your Web site at anytime and check you out before making contact.
A firm’s Web site gives you an idea whether you want to touch and feel and make the connection, says a Creative Director for Internet-based market research provider, Harris Interactive. The Web gives me the ability to have confidence in someone’s work before I walk through the door.
How to Use a Web Site:
The goal of your Web site, then, is to provide enough information about you and your work to allow a prospect to decide whether to take the next step making real contact. Here are four ways to provide what your prospects need:
1. Explain, in detail, all the different services you offer. This is your chance to elaborate on your offerings, which you rarely have time to do in a conversation. With a Web site, you can use all the space you need to provide the information your prospects need to know. And because they went to your Web site, it’s likely they’re in an open frame of mind to read it.
Give clear and concise details about all the varied services and products you offer.
Offer examples of the kinds of jobs you’ve done.
Tell stories (with happy endings) about the problems you’ve solved for your customers.
Include some biographical information about who you are and what you do. A few personal details about your family, hobbies and work in your community help people get a better picture of who you are and will begin to inspire trust in you and your work.
Always include your contact information.
2. Show examples of your work. Use photographs of samples, an online portfolio, whatever you can to help your prospects see exactly what you offer.
Suggest ways to use your products or services that people might not have thought of. This can help create more business.
Combine these with quotes from customers, explaining how you worked, as well as what you did.
3. Educate your prospects. Provide information that educates your readers and prospects while at the same time, positions you as an expert in your field.
Articles, tips sheets, helpful hints, and links to other resources are all examples of useful information you can provide via your Web site.
People appreciate helpful information and advice, and it makes them more likely to turn to you in the future.
4. Capture email addresses so you can market to your prospects via email on a regular basis, rather than hoping they return to visit your site. This service builds loyalty that in turn, builds business.
Make it easy for customers to contact you and ask questions. Email is a great way to build a relationship with existing and new customers. Make sure to respond promptly!
Learn and Grow
Your Web site is an evolutionary, constantly changing, and never-ending project. In fact, it is likely to be the most time-consuming marketing tool you use. But it doesn’t have to be daunting. Remember, it’s not set in stone!
Work in phases. Don’t think it all has to be done before anyone sees it. Start small, with the basic, most important information. Then get feedback from friends and loyal customers, and learn from what they say. This will help you build a Web site that’s truly useful, both for yourself and your visitors and customers.
A Web site is essential if you want to be a part of the future. It can also be a fun, profitable way to work. Remember, the longest journey begins with a single step so even the biggest site begins with a single click! Let’s go!
About the Author
Ilise Benun is the publisher of the Web site for The Art of Self Promotion, a quarterly (print) newsletter of manageable marketing ideas, and the author of Self Promotion Online, an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning effective strategies to promote oneself via the internet.
artofselfpromotion.com
selfpromotiononline.com
(201) 653-0783
To contact see details below.
http://www.artofselfpromotion.com
http://www.selfpromotiononline.com
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