An overwhelming number of businesses still don't have websites, and some of those who do aren't using their sites to generate income or provide any value to the people who visit them. I've heard many excuses. Some valid, most not. My apologies in advance for being frank, but I have to say that there's something wrong when you think it's ok to sit back and watch your competition advance into the 21st century as they steal away your customers, overflow their wallets, and do so 24 hours a day while you count the minutes to the end of your 5pm business day.
My personal favorites so far this year:
"I don't have time to manage a website..."
"We don't make enough money to put money into a website..."
"My daughter (neighbor, brother, etc..) was going to do it and I guess it fell by the wayside..."
"I don't see why we need one when business has been fine for years..."
"We wouldn't know what to do with one..."
"Our customers won't look for us on the Internet."
"Our domain name wasn't available and we couldn't think of anything else."
"We don't even own a computer. We still do everything on paper."
"I have a computer but I don't know how to work it..."
"I don't want to pay a Web Designer."
"I don't know anything about doing business on the Internet and I don't want to get involved in something I don't understand."
"We have concerns about the security of our customers' credit card numbers and we'd rather not deal with it."
"Business has been slow..."
"We've had meetings about it..."
"We're still thinking about it."
The list goes on. Now, for the multitudes of people and companies who are stuck in the "analysis paralysis" phase - BUILD IT ALREADY!
Sheesh. I know some people are nodding their heads and laughing right now, but its the bitter truth that having a meeting about the meeting about the website that you're going to build, is a sheer mockery of those who actually "get it" but have to endure the invisible red tape and blindfolds they are forced to accept by people who refuse to admit that they're afraid to commit to the web. You coulda had the darn thing built 20 times in the time it took for you to decide what color your web site is going to be! Please, for the sake of the people who sit in those horrible meetings with you: Make a decision or assign the project to someone else who can. Like Nike says, "Just Do It."
America, why must people be convinced, poked, and prodded to expand their business? It seems to me that if an opportunity presented itself that would help me to reach more people, increase my current income, and add value to my customers - You wouldn't have to tell me twice. Maybe it's because I'm a Techie. Maybe it's because I'm an opportunist. Maybe I just like the idea of having two vacations a year instead of one every three years.
In no specific order, let me give you some reasons why you should have a website:
1. Money
If you do it right, you can use your web site to generate additional income on top of what you are already earning. In some instances, you will have to get creative but even the smallest potential of increased revenue still is reason enough.
2. Reach New Markets
Your website is a channel to help you reach new business markets. While most of your business now may be targeted to a local market, your website is available for ANYBODY, ANYWHERE to learn what you have to offer. Every site visitor is a potential customer.
3. Every Hour is a Business Hour
Web sites are available 24/7/365. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. There is no page that says "Our website is closed for the day. Please visit again tomorrow." That means that some CEO somewhere who can't sleep, is up surfing the web in the middle of the night and he can still get information about you and your products and services without having to wait (or otherwise forget) to call you the next day.
4. A Place to "Show Your Stuff"
Your handy dandy little paper brochure is probably very nice, but it doesn't have sound or video. The web does! While paper still reigns as the most popular form of business advertising, it doesn't allow your potential customer to have an experience with you. Websites provide almost unlimited interactivity options that can help you to prequalify a potential customer and allow them to visually bond with your company.The truth is, after a customer sees your brochure, they're going to look for you on the Internet. They can't find you if you're not there and you might have just lost that customer.
5. Convenience
I know a few people, my family included, who won't deal with companies who aren't on the Internet unless they have to. The web provides a high level of convenience. Why should your customers be inconvenienced when there are other companies out there who do what you do, and THEY have a website? Your customers will just go to them instead. Sometimes even paying more since convenience is a benefit. Time is too precious to be spending it waiting in line somewhere, or sitting in a phone messaging queue.
Call me crazy, but I think it's time to turn over a new leaf and start getting serious about doing business. Those who don't will be left behind, and could be filing bankruptcy 3 years from now. Whether they take the first step to establish an Internet presence or take a current site to a new level, it's better than doing nothing. Doing nothing is safe and it provides a comfortable and familiar setting but it does little in the way of advancing your business. Consider an online trip to Amazon or spend some time this weekend in Border's Bookstore. If you're local I just may see you there.
Chris Curtis, a professional Internet Business Consultant, has been helping small and medium businesses gain a competitive advantage on the internet, worldwide, for more than 10 years. Through her own site at http://www.idylhands.com she provides web design, programming, and internet business consulting. Visit the "Great Minds Think" blog at http://www.idylhands.com/misschris/