Thursday, September 4, 2008

Four Key Web Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Career Center - by Carie Bishop

Here’s a startling statistic for entrepreneurs: nearly half of today’s small businesses don’t have a website. A survey by CNNMoney revealed that 46 percent of America’s 25 million small businesses have no online presence. The report suggested that business owners fear a large price tag for website development and hosting, despite the abundant, contrary evidence that inexpensive do-it-yourself website solutions are readily available.

The advantages of having even a simple, static website without eCommerce capabilities are legion. A website offers customers a round-the-clock opportunity to view your products and services, your contact information, and detailed visual proof that you’re better than your competitors. In an era where buyers, suppliers, and consumers can buy, sell, and track orders from a web-enabled cell phone, it’s poor business sense to work without a digital net.

Here are four key benefits from having a simple website:

Visibility and Search
With proper optimization of your website, targeted audience of consumers are sent your way via a number of search engines. Search engine optimization enables any business to identify its specific offerings, whether it provides them through online sales or just posts pictures and descriptions online with an ordering phone number or printable form.

Public Relations and Marketing
Think of a website as an extended business card. A simple, attractive website builds credibility, loyalty, and word-of-mouth promotions. People send web links to their business associates, family, and friends.

Say More and Talk Less
Detailed information about your products and services online means that your switchboard fields fewer inquiries about specifics and more calls with immediate orders. These days, shoppers make their decisions online–then they reach for the telephone.

Customer Development
Whenever customers respond to your email address through your website, you capture their personal information for own records. Build a database of email addresses and you can mail out regular sales bulletins. You’ll foster a repeat clientele.

Source
CNNMoney

Relevant Links

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	DeVry University A graduate degree really can make a difference, especially when it's from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University. The majority of our students balance work, family and school. That's why we offer online, evening and weekend classes in all of our master's degree programs, which include Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Information Systems, Project Management, Public Administration and Telecom Management.
	University of Phoenix With convenient class locations as well as online learning, University of Phoenix makes quality higher education highly accessible. Whether you're seeking an associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, we can help you reach your goal while you work-and much sooner than you might expect.
	Ashford University Don't let your job get in the way of earning your college degree. At Ashford University Online, we're dedicated to helping working adults just like you get the skills and the credentials you need to reach for your goals. Choose from a variety of Associate, Bachelor's, and Master's degree programs including Organizational Management, Business Administration, Psychology, and more.