To create a presence on the internet, businesses need to have a good understanding of what they wish to achieve before they start developing their site.
While this may sound very simple, often businesses focus on their core capabilities or just simply running their business. When it comes to developing a website, they do not put in as much time or thought as they should.
Knowing what you want to achieve with your website will help your web developer to meet your needs as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Knowing why you want a website and being able to communicate this to the web developer is very important. Ultimately this will save you money and help to build your business. There are three key reasons for having an internet site. Often the purpose of the business website will cover more than one of three categories:
Let's explore each of these in turn.
1. Letting people know you exist, and how to contact you
This is an extension of your yellow pages advertisement. If someone wants to find your business they can type in your companyname.com / .com.au / etc into their browser's address bar to find your address, phone number, what you offer, and maybe complete an online form to ask you a question.
2. Automating a service which your business provides
There are many tasks carried out by your business on a day to day basis. Some of these tasks may be carried out through your website, or could be in part replaced by allowing your customers to self-serve from your website. For example, if you receive many calls from your customers inquiring as to the estimated delivery date or progress of their order, you may decide to allow the customer to quickly see the status of their order via a secure order tracking feature on your website. This will provide a better service to your customers, streamlining your processes and often theirs, and allow you to concentrate your resources on fulfilling the orders.
3. Selling your product or service, and gaining new business
On an ecommerce site, where a customer can order and pay for your product or service and in so doing, kick start the process inside your business to fulfill his or her request. The process to fulfill the customers request may take many forms, for example an email with purchase details sent to the right person or department in your business or, in more sophisticated solutions, the creation of an order in your manufacturing control system. This type of website will also provide information regarding your product or service to assist in the sales process and help customers to make an informed decision about whether it is your product or service that they require. Effectively promoting your product or service via your website and an online marketing strategy can assist you to increase your sales and reach additional target markets.
Copyright Contact Point IT Services
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Heather Maloney has a Masters in Technology (Internet) and has been operating a business in the provision of web development and technology solutions since 1996. Heather has also project managed a broad range of IT projects for a wide range of businesses from small through to multinational companies.
If you would like to explore ways to utilise the internet for your business, please feel free to contact me via: http://www.contactpoint.com.au