Can you afford to ignore the Internet and its benefits? Your competitors won't. They're already using it to improve their business, gain customers and reduce costs. Using the Internet, businesses all over Northern Ireland and the UK are employing online methods to attract your customers right now. It may take a while to fully appreciate the benefits of the Internet so don't wait for your competitors to get there first!
"My customers are not even using the Internet" and "The Internet doesn't have a lot to offer a business like mine" are common misconceptions that many local businesses make. How do they know? Once they've done some thinking and active research on how the Internet could improve their business, they might be surprised about the benefits.
Currently there are over 22 million Internet users in the UK alone responsible for online sales worth £14.5 billion in 2004 with the market believed to be growing some 26 times faster than the high street. The Internet is both "high-tech" and "high-touch". Used to its fullest extent, it allows businesses to personalise their dealings with customers and get closer to them by making use of information about previous dealings and things that may interest individual customers. No other media vehicle can provide 24/7 advertising and accessibility quite like a website.
Of course a business website is not all about online sales but also about generating sales offline and developing a brand reputation. A competent website can project an image of professionalism, and can enable smaller businesses to compete with industry leaders. Though, if your business website is poor and portraying a weak image, you're better off without one. A website that generates a positive experience will not only encourage first time buyers/users to return but may also encourage word of mouth marketing from your existing customers.
The web is the quickest medium for publishing new marketing material. With a content management system attached to your site you can create and publish new content within minutes at no cost ensuring your marketing is always up to date - no waiting on print material.
The look of professionalism is inherited when using an email in the name of your business. An email such as yourname@yourbusiness.com immediately connects you to a business in the eyes of recipients and moves you away from the image of being an individual. Enquiries sent via our info@firenetdesigns.com email address allow interested parties to submit information requests which are then delegated to individual employees to deal with. These employees should then become a point of contact for a designated customer focusing on assisting them throughout their requirements lifecycle.
The reasons for a professionally designed business website are clear for all to see. Not having a website is a marketing disaster and a wasted opportunity. It's up to you to ensure you don't waste your businesses chance of online success.