Is It For You?
One thing I do not want to do is encourage the 'websites for all' mentality.
However much fanatics want to believe it, and web companies want YOU to
believe it, the fact remains: Websites are just not for everybody!
There are some simple things you can think over though, to decide whether
a website could be beneficial to your business. Consider the following:
Return on Investment
This is a fancy business term which basically refers to 'value for money'. A
website is a relatively small outlay, but you still have to consider what you
get in return for that investment.
If you have a business which offers a service, for example you are a consultant,
and you get one extra job with the help of your website, it has likely already
paid for itself! If you have a business which has a lower turn-over per sale,
then it is possible that many more sales would be required to merit the website.
However, by the same token you are likely to make more sales if it is a smaller
outlay for the potential customer.
Expansion of Business
Is there the possibility of expanding your current horizons online? Can you actually
expand your service through a website? For example if you sell a product, why not
have an online store where people can purchase that product easily from their own
home, be that in the next road from you or in a different country altogether!
Let me caution you, online shops are certainly not for everyone, and I consult with
all of my clients before pursuing this line of development to make sure it is
appropriate, but why not consider whether this could be for you?
Another fantastic expansion opportunity is an online contact form. A lot of people
are wary about ringing a phone number they find on the web to enquire about a service,
or even sending an E-Mail. Many more however will fill in a quick contact form for
more information from the website they are on. It's a much more integrated method of
initiating contact with potential clients.
Purpose - An Important Summary
Really, the main consideration in deciding whether or not a website is for you is this:
Why are you doing it? What is it's purpose. Let me tell you the number one most commonly
ignored reason NOT to build a website:
"Well everyone's doing it aren't they?"
Don't just follow the crowd. If you decide to embark on a website, do it because it's
worth it for you, not just because it sounded like a good idea. Here are some great
reasons why you might want to have a website:
An online contact card
This has worked well for many people, as a way to direct people to more information on
your business whether you have a friendly chat with them over coffee, or a thirty second
conversation with them on the bus. It gives people an easy way to get hold of your contact
details without having to remember them (Or forget them!).
A way to reach people further afield
If your business is on a very local scale, but you have products which could appeal to
people outside of your locality, then an online store can open up many new opportunities
to make sales.
Advanced functionality
If you wish to provide some sort of advanced functionality to your clients, a website can
be a great way to do it. A members-only login area is a popular choice, to provide some
information to only those people who are your customers. Maybe some kind of online tool
is in order, such as a calculator or automatic quote generator.
Return on investment
For many people this is an important consideration. A website is a relatively small outlay,
and this alone can make it a worthwhile addition to your business.
Your Decision
In the end, you must make your own decision, but I advise all my clients to carefully
consider the benefits of a website to their own business before creating one. If you have
decided it is a worthwhile venture, then take a look at your options here.
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