Why Would a Small Business Need a Website?
31/08/09 | Kentucky Business Network
When you think of a website the first thing that comes to mind is a company that has a large customer base spread throughout the United States and abroad. Today, everyone should have a website, especially Kentucky’s small business owners.
A trend for advertising to move online
It costs thousands of dollars for a business to advertise offline whether you place advertisements in local Newspapers, Magazines or mailing marketing materials to your customers. Many small business owners in Kentucky have focused more attention to advertising on the Internet because they realize they can save thousands of dollars on advertising cost.
On the Internet there are many ways to advertise your business from $0 to $500+. You can actually advertise your website for free on sites like Craigslist and article marketing on sites like EzineArticles.com. You can even advertise your website for a sponsorship fee on high-ranking websites like ABCNews.com or social media sites like Facebook.
24/7 showcase of your products/services
Imagine being able to showcase your products and services 24 hours per day and 7 days per week? That’s one of the primary benefits of having a website. Depending upon the type of business you’re in, your customers can make purchases through your website while you sleep. For instance, if you own an online auto parts store or clothing store, your customers can purchase your products through your website at anytime of the day without having to call or wait until normal business hours.
More people are researching purchases/services online before buying
People are using the Internet to research before they buy a product or service. This is why it is so important to have a strong online presence so that your customers can actually find you on the Internet. For example, a person searching for a good accountant in Kentucky is more likely to search on websites that offer a lot of valuable information about their accounting services. The consumer is more likely to choose the company with the best web presence.
For some a website is a primary selling tool
There are many companies that use their website as their primary selling tool. There are a couple of factors that are important to possess when it comes to selling effectively on the Internet. First, you must have a well designed website that is “clutter-free”. In other words, keep it simple.
Avoid having a website that has too many ads. When a visitor enters your site, they are searching for only one thing and that is “what’s in it for me”. You will lose potential customers if your website screams “Buy Me Now!”
To truly gain your customer’s attention, you of course want to have a great product or service to offer your customers but you will want to also make sure that you’re offering a good amount of quality content about how your product or service will benefit them. This may include offering articles on your website, a blog or a video clip about your company.
Static website vs. CMS editable website
The difference between a static website and a CMS editable website is simple. A CMS editable website shows different text or content during your customer’s interaction. This type of website is complex and recommended for those who are constantly updating their website with fresh content on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
A static website is good if you’re not planning on updating your content on a regular basis. You can actually use Microsoft Word to update and edit your website on an as needed basis.
How Much Does a Website Cost?
It all depends on the kind of website you need for your business. Prices vary and can start as low as $500 to $20,000+. The important thing is to find a reputable web designer or web development firm to build your website. You will also want to work with a company that will build a site that is search engine friendly.
There are basically four types of websites:
Corporate Brochure Style Website
This is type of website offers your visitors basic information about your products and services. Think of it as an online advertisement. Prices start at around $500 or more.
E-Commerce Website
This type of website can vary from simple to complex. An ecommerce website normally starts off at around $5,000 or more. This type of website is perfect for an online retail store where customers have access to purchase your products.
