Events Calendar
In This Section
Women's leadership program makes debut
U.S. Walmarts to stay open Thanksgiving
FedEx says IRS won't be imposing penalties
Regulators eyeing Ally Bank tactics
Day with Warren Buffett enriching to UA students
Wisdom from billionaire Warren Buffett
Number of females in unions increasing
Investors take break after major five-day advance
Most Read Stories
Coventry woman abducted at gunpoint; ex-boyfriend arrested after 100-mph chase
Chapel Hill isn't rolling right along
New eateries expand menu of options
Akron City Council OKs higher speed on I-77
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Stark County engineer dies at 49
Suitcase causes bomb scare at Akron bus terminal
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Blogs:
Pets:
First Person: Inside St. Louis Pit Bull Shelter
The Heldenfiles:
Talking Television
Patrick McManamon:
Mangini opens up to national media
Akron Zips:
Interview with a Temple blogger
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Quinn tabbed to start against Ravens Monday night
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – November 11
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Cavs: Yeah, on That Issue of Privacy
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes Roll 100-60 / Season Outlook
Varsity Letters:
Gridlocks: Week 2 Playoff Edition
All Da King's Men:
Democrats Divided Over Abortion
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Simply Incapable of Telling The Truth
Akron Law Café:
Study says 2,200 uninsured veterans died in 2008 due to lack of health insurance.
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Kimberly requests information on living in Columbus, Ohio.
Sound Check:
Aeromsith looking for new singer as Steven Tyler contemplates solo career
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
Video: 'Modern Warfare 2' hits the streets
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.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
