justgreatwebsites.com

Do you need a website? This first question appears simple enough to answer. I wouldn't have a business if I flat out told you 'No', so the answer will always be 'Yes'. The important question is do you need to have your own site? If you are trying to just get an opinion out to a mass audience, I would suggest you take advantage of the many free website offerings on the internet. If you have a product or service I would at least suggest owning your own domain name (www.yourname.com).

How do you market your business? If you currently advertise in newspapers, radio, mail or billboards and have not supplemented those ads with a website you are potentially losing customers. People are more likely to research what they want on the internet without wanting to talk to a CSR(customer service representative) on another continent or trying to navigate through phone prompts. The goal is to provide your customer base with easy access to the information they need so they can make the right choice. Having a website also allows your customers to get the answers they need without taking precious man-hours away from your sales staff. Let your Sales department focus on their task at hand, sales! 

How to get the market's attention? The attention span of your potential customers has consistantly diminished ever since we started receiving junk mail and Chinese food menus stuck in our front door. More and more people look for what they want on the internet than in the local phone book. When was the last time you saw a Sears catalog dropped off at your door. Take the hint and get your advertising where it belongs, on the websites and search engines that your customers are likely to visit.

If you do not have budget for advertising and you generally generate work by word of mouth, I suggest you start a Facebook, Twitter and MySpace page. They are all free and through simple networking you can build a group that you can constantly generate leads and business relationships. If you are not familiar with these sites, I can provide this type of networking management, but I think if you spend 10-15 minutes a day on these sites you will see how user friendly and beneficial they can be.

My philosophy is to always teach my customers how to fish if they want to learn. I also happen to have the fishing rods and bait available for sale.