Why Your Business Needs a Website

Window of antique store in Rye, England

As the trend becomes reality, most people are eliminating their home phone service for cell phones.  And since cell phone numbers are not published, the need for a telephone book is diminishing.  So think about it, without the local “yellow pages”, how are people going to find out about your business?  And how much is the advertising in the phone book?

A website is the most important tool you will purchase for your small business.   Your online presence is affordable and cost effective for your business.  It is also one of the first things you will see a measured ROI (return on investment) from.  And as your business grows, so will traffic to your website, so you want to make sure that your website can be easily upgraded and modified as the needs of your business change.

 

Competition

Even in a small town, there is competition for your business.  Think about restaurants.  Do they have a website?  Is their current menu on the site?  Do they offer catering?  Are there pictures?  When you design your website, check out the competition.  Is their site easy to navigate?  What would you do differently?

 

Open For Business

Brick & mortar locations are destinations.  And being able to “shop” or browse your websites before they visit is a great benefit.  You can be open for business every day around-the-clock.  And if you offer services, then include a form on your website for people to fill out and you can get back to them even after store/business hours.  The form comes right to the e-mail you designate.

 

Sales

Your website is an extension of your store location.  You can offer products for sale through your website, especially if you sell items that are not available elsewhere.  You can work with a packaging company to help you box up your merchandise and ship it as you sell it.  And this is an added plus when tourists visit your store, because now you can let them know that items are available online also, creating repeat sales and increased volume for your business.

 

Search Engines

As your business continues to grow, so will your online presence.  And by using the right keywords, you can gain great positions on the internet above your competition!

 

Contact and email

A contact page and email address makes it easy for potential customers to get in touch with you.  As your business and services change, the contact page should be updated to include all of this information.

 

Social Media

Use social media to increase your business exposure even more.  Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook are the three largest sites that can help you with your business.

This is the beginning of a series on using WordPress as your business website platform.  Keep posted.

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IRS

IRSlogo
Image via Wikipedia

The IRS offers helpful information through their Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center.

Website: IRS

Small Business That Could

SBTC

Paperback: Trade
Publisher: MWF Publishing
ISBN: 978-0615324982
Publication Size: 8.2 x 6 x 0.5 inches
Pages: 220
Price: 16.95

Insightful websites, tips, resources and products to help individuals starting a business and small businesses ready to venture online. Space for notes is included on most pages and some website pages offer an opportunity for you to write down your user information.

Amazon

Small Business That Could
Paperback: 220 pages
Publisher: MWF Publishing (October 28, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0615324982
# Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6 x 0.5 inches

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POSTLING

A social media management application that allows you to:

  • schedule posts to multiple social media accounts
  • monitor your social media accounts and see who’s talking about
  • respond to comments and replies
  • receive daily email recaps

Women in Business Forum & Conference

The Women in Business Forum & Conference is established as a networking platform to help women empower themselves. This platform is for the purpose of information sharing among  women groups and entrepreneurial professionals. Through this forum women are encouraged to take control of their business, and become their own economic security. 

 Title: Women in Business Forum & Conference
Location: Doubletree Hotel, LaVista Road, Atlanta
Link out: Click here
Description: Join us at the Women In Business Forum and Conference and receive the leadership you\’ve been looking for to grow your business. Apply for grants, startup funding, and network with other companies, and receive our WWN Power Pack which includes: a free website, business voicemail, and startup plan.
Leaders from all over the nation will share best practices and leadership knowledge with you.
Start Date: 2009-08-27
End Date: 2009-08-29