Why Do You Want a Website?
| Category: Net Business Start ups | Date: 2003-10-10 |
Do you really need a Web site? Well of course you do... Everybody does, don't they?
I have to tell you, "It ain't necessarily so!" The truth is that maybe you do, and maybe you don't. It all depends on what you're trying to achieve.
A Web consultant used to use a trick to bring business meetings to a standstill. When he met with new corporate clients, he'd straight away ask "What do you want to do with the Web site? What's it for?"
The question usually had the effect of turning an organized meeting into a chaotic cacophony of voices, all with their own agenda. The consultant knew that most of his clients hadn't thought the issue through. They 'knew' they needed a Web site; they just didn't know why!
So, before you set up a Web site, consider why you need it. Otherwise you'll just end up wasting a load of time, money, and enthusiasm. Plan what it is you want to do first, then create your site.
Now, go back and "really" ask yourself the question... "Why do you need a Web site?" By the way, "to make money" simply isn't a good enough answer. How do you want to make money? What are you selling? How will you attract customers? How will you take orders? How will you ship orders? You may not be able to answer some of these questions at first, but you should answer them before you begin your Web site.
Here is a short list of possible reasons to set up a Website:
...to sell your products or services
...to sell somebody else's products
...to promote an idea, hobby, political movement, religion or other consumer passion
...to take orders on-line for an existing business
...to distribute information about your company/organization
...to distribute samples
...to provide customer service and technical support
...to meet new customers
...to forge a stronger link between your company and your existing customers
...to provide an internal communications system for your company
...to make shareholders feel more like part of your company
...to make money selling advertising
But let's be honest - as individuals, most of us launch into Website ownership as a way of getting rich. And there's nothing wrong with that... except that it's really not quite as easy as some 'gurus' would have us believe.
Yes, believe it or not, there are still people suggesting that the Internet is paved with gold. It's not, of course. There are people who have made money on the Internet, but probably fewer than you'd imagine. Unfortunately, many Internet books and magazines have declared "successes" of Web sites that have not actually made money.
You can sell products on the Web, but it is not the ultimate get-rich-quick solution nor the lazy man's way to riches. Some people have managed to make money on the Web, but many more have failed.
You think I'm being negative?
Certainly not, but I'm a realist and, until you acknowledge reality, you're always going to be disappointed.
In my ebook, TheTrafficJam Formula, I point out what I believe to be the crass stupidity of remarks by some of the so-called 'gurus'. Things like... "What is so fun is that every time you need money, you post a message to your group. It becomes a real money machine."
That was an actual quote (grammar and all). Here's another one... "Last month, I needed a new car. So I said to myself, 'Well, ok it's time to post a new message. It took me 30 minutes to write it and bang! Here comes the brand new car."
I'm all for a little enthusiasm, but those sorts of comments are untrue, misguided and misleading. The damage they do is that, by creating false hope in would-be netrepreneurs, the newcomers, believing themselves to have failed, quit the Internet before they've given themselves a chance to succeed.
Here are the facts for individuals (different rules apply to corporations)...
...Website ownership is seldom a silver bullet to instant wealth.
...If you aren't prepared to learn how to write html documents, you should consider promoting only affiliate schemes.
...If you need a profit by next week or next month - forget it!
...If you're prepared to commit time, energy and money to it, the Internet is fun and can provide a decent living.
Now, back to the question posed at the beginning of this article: Do you really need a Web site? Perhaps not. There are many businesses that really won't benefit from one. Like any business decision, the choice to establish a Web site has to be made based on all the available facts.
Think carefully before you decide.
About the Author
Graham Hamer produces the TopProfits weekly ezine of Internet Marketing. His ebook The Secret Goldmine can be downloaded from http://www.unique-book.com/ and a collection of some of the Internet's best names are listed on his site at www-websites.com
graham.hamer@noos.fr
http://www.www-websites.com
I have to tell you, "It ain't necessarily so!" The truth is that maybe you do, and maybe you don't. It all depends on what you're trying to achieve.
A Web consultant used to use a trick to bring business meetings to a standstill. When he met with new corporate clients, he'd straight away ask "What do you want to do with the Web site? What's it for?"
The question usually had the effect of turning an organized meeting into a chaotic cacophony of voices, all with their own agenda. The consultant knew that most of his clients hadn't thought the issue through. They 'knew' they needed a Web site; they just didn't know why!
So, before you set up a Web site, consider why you need it. Otherwise you'll just end up wasting a load of time, money, and enthusiasm. Plan what it is you want to do first, then create your site.
Now, go back and "really" ask yourself the question... "Why do you need a Web site?" By the way, "to make money" simply isn't a good enough answer. How do you want to make money? What are you selling? How will you attract customers? How will you take orders? How will you ship orders? You may not be able to answer some of these questions at first, but you should answer them before you begin your Web site.
Here is a short list of possible reasons to set up a Website:
...to sell your products or services
...to sell somebody else's products
...to promote an idea, hobby, political movement, religion or other consumer passion
...to take orders on-line for an existing business
...to distribute information about your company/organization
...to distribute samples
...to provide customer service and technical support
...to meet new customers
...to forge a stronger link between your company and your existing customers
...to provide an internal communications system for your company
...to make shareholders feel more like part of your company
...to make money selling advertising
But let's be honest - as individuals, most of us launch into Website ownership as a way of getting rich. And there's nothing wrong with that... except that it's really not quite as easy as some 'gurus' would have us believe.
Yes, believe it or not, there are still people suggesting that the Internet is paved with gold. It's not, of course. There are people who have made money on the Internet, but probably fewer than you'd imagine. Unfortunately, many Internet books and magazines have declared "successes" of Web sites that have not actually made money.
You can sell products on the Web, but it is not the ultimate get-rich-quick solution nor the lazy man's way to riches. Some people have managed to make money on the Web, but many more have failed.
You think I'm being negative?
Certainly not, but I'm a realist and, until you acknowledge reality, you're always going to be disappointed.
In my ebook, TheTrafficJam Formula, I point out what I believe to be the crass stupidity of remarks by some of the so-called 'gurus'. Things like... "What is so fun is that every time you need money, you post a message to your group. It becomes a real money machine."
That was an actual quote (grammar and all). Here's another one... "Last month, I needed a new car. So I said to myself, 'Well, ok it's time to post a new message. It took me 30 minutes to write it and bang! Here comes the brand new car."
I'm all for a little enthusiasm, but those sorts of comments are untrue, misguided and misleading. The damage they do is that, by creating false hope in would-be netrepreneurs, the newcomers, believing themselves to have failed, quit the Internet before they've given themselves a chance to succeed.
Here are the facts for individuals (different rules apply to corporations)...
...Website ownership is seldom a silver bullet to instant wealth.
...If you aren't prepared to learn how to write html documents, you should consider promoting only affiliate schemes.
...If you need a profit by next week or next month - forget it!
...If you're prepared to commit time, energy and money to it, the Internet is fun and can provide a decent living.
Now, back to the question posed at the beginning of this article: Do you really need a Web site? Perhaps not. There are many businesses that really won't benefit from one. Like any business decision, the choice to establish a Web site has to be made based on all the available facts.
Think carefully before you decide.
About the Author
Graham Hamer produces the TopProfits weekly ezine of Internet Marketing. His ebook The Secret Goldmine can be downloaded from http://www.unique-book.com/ and a collection of some of the Internet's best names are listed on his site at www-websites.com
graham.hamer@noos.fr
http://www.www-websites.com
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