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Evaluate Internet home for utility and function. Also think about hiring a professional designer
Published on Monday, Dec 15, 2008
While a Web site is now considered a must for virtually any kind of small business, just having an Internet presence is not enough. You must continually monitor and re-evaluate its looks, function and utility to make sure it is meeting the needs of your business and, more importantly, those of your customers.
If your Web site was created several years ago, it could be time for a makeover. What seemed sophisticated back then might now look simplistic and even unprofessional compared with more effective sites.
In this age of limited attention spans, it is also essential that your Web site catches and keeps visitors' interest. Try adding interactive features, such as surveys, guest books, auto responders, downloadable documents and an e-newsletter. And why not take orders online with a simple shopping cart feature, if you don't already do so. Resources include PrestoCart.com, MyCart.net, PayButton.com and EarthStores.com.
Animated art, professionally designed buttons, bars and banners can help supercharge your site.You can acquire them quickly and inexpensively with software and online delivery from providers, such as NetStudio.com and ScreamDesign.com. You can add interesting and timely content to your site as well.
The Web offers tremendous potential for researching your markets and competitors. A few top resources — some free, others fee-based — include: Business.com for general business research, KnowX.com for public records research and Hoover.net for company profiles and contact information.
Even if you have the best Web site in your industry, nobody will find it unless it is listed with the major Internet search engines. SearchEngineWatch.com offers a wealth of information about raising your search engine profile via search engine submissions, as well as search tips, search engine reviews and ratings and other resources.
Finally, don't overlook the advantages of hiring a professional Web site developer, if your budget has room to do so. It could be a wise investment and not cost as much as you might imagine to create as well as manage. It doesn't cost anything to contact a firm, ask for credentials and work up samples, discuss your needs and then get a proposal.
If you would like more information on this or other business-related subjects, contact AkronSCORE via the Internet at http://akronscore.org or by calling 330-379-3163. Services are free and confidential. SCORE is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
While a Web site is now considered a must for virtually any kind of small business, just having an Internet presence is not enough. You must continually monitor and re-evaluate its looks, function and utility to make sure it is meeting the needs of your business and, more importantly, those of your customers.
Get the full article here.
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