Is Your Business Ready For A Website?

There is no doubt that an effective website can be a powerful marketing tool for you business. However I have seen over and over again people creating their website for their business, making it live and then just leaving it to rot in cyber space. This can be a costly and disappointing experience.

Before deciding if a website is right for your business consider the following questions.

Do you have a marketing or business plan? - Like any other important decision you make for your business, creating a website must fit into you're your overall business strategy. Having a business plan will allow you to define your objectives and evaluate the success of you website. A solid marketing plan is the first critical step in making a good decision about the decision of putting your business onto the web.

Can you clearly define your objectives for a web presence? - Answer this simple question, why do you want a website? If you can’t answer it forget about having a website. Before you even going the website path you should be able to clearly define specific objective as to why or the reasons for having a website, such as:

• To provide additional information about your products or services than is possible with flyers, ads or brochures
• To acquire customers who will “find” you on the web.
• To establish 24-hour accessibility
• Receive sale orders
• To promote your product or service internationally
• Provide technical updates and FAQs

Does your business fit the profile of a successful online business? - A good way to decide if you business fits the “success online category” is to study the profile business that have been successful. Go online, bookmark quality sites that you find so you can return later when you begin your design process.

It seems that business that fit the “successful online category” includes:

• Businesses in niche markets that can be easily found using search engines, i.e. Amazon.com.
• Companies with name brands advertised in other media
• Computer-related businesses,

For your business to succeed online you should:

• Make sure of web marketing ideas
• Upgrade your website and make it "sticky"
• Promote your website at every opportunity

Do you have the resources to build, promote and maintain a web site? - If you think that building a website is a once off fee then think again, especially if you will not be doing the maintaining of your website. Potential cost involved with the development of your site includes, but not limited to:

• A computer and a connection to the Internet so you can monitor your website and to receive emails.
• Cost of designing/developing your website
• Cost of your domain (recurring cost every year)
• Cost of hosting your website (recurring cost)
• Search Engine Submission/maintenance (optionally)

Will you be able to meet Internet customers' needs? - Ok so you have a website. Will you be able to please your customers? Are you able to answer emails quickly? Will your website be update regularly? Will you be able to process orders?

Are you committed to making your web site a success? - A website can be used to give your business an advantage, however like anything else of your business, you need to work on it and your commitment to this process is crucial for success. Be sure that when you build your website and even after it has been completed that the content and feel accurately reflects your business and how your serve your customers.

Related "Wed Design" Articles

• Planning Your Business Website
• Choosing a Web Design Company