In this decade almost all small businesses are going to have to consider developing a website. It is fast becoming an essential part of doing business. If you want to succeed beyond the next decade then you really need to be on the web.
I agree that in many cases you do not need a website which contains 100’s of pages of stuff, you and your business may only need a contact page and some brief information.
Just being on the web is of value to your customer
A website allows your customer to have access to information which he or she might not be able to see from the flyer you delivered, or the advertisement you placed in the newspaper. Consider your business card, how much information can a potential client see on your card.
So in many cases a website can be an extension of your advertising agenda, and in many cases it can pre-sell the client long before he contracts you for your services.
But remember that a tacky looking website can also turn a potential client away
Deliver for Quality not Quantity
The biggest problem I see with small business websites is that they have been created with artistic flare which to put it bluntly “my five year old has the same level of skills”. I see many individuals slap together a website with lots of flashing icons, and fonts of different sizes, and text of all different colors.
I understand that this internet thing is great and you can be sucked into all the flashing lights and colors that others have, but it wont help you. The biggest problem we all have is that we put blinkers on when it comes to our own work, that’s because we all have egos. If someone else created a really crappy looking website we would all laugh at it, but because it’s our website our egos will defend it.
Its your choice
In the end its really up to you to consider what your purpose is for having a website. Then realize that the website can help to bring your customer to the next step or chase him away. My best advice is when in doubt "Keep IT Simple"
I agree that in many cases you do not need a website which contains 100’s of pages of stuff, you and your business may only need a contact page and some brief information.
Just being on the web is of value to your customer
A website allows your customer to have access to information which he or she might not be able to see from the flyer you delivered, or the advertisement you placed in the newspaper. Consider your business card, how much information can a potential client see on your card.
So in many cases a website can be an extension of your advertising agenda, and in many cases it can pre-sell the client long before he contracts you for your services.
But remember that a tacky looking website can also turn a potential client away
Deliver for Quality not Quantity
The biggest problem I see with small business websites is that they have been created with artistic flare which to put it bluntly “my five year old has the same level of skills”. I see many individuals slap together a website with lots of flashing icons, and fonts of different sizes, and text of all different colors.
I understand that this internet thing is great and you can be sucked into all the flashing lights and colors that others have, but it wont help you. The biggest problem we all have is that we put blinkers on when it comes to our own work, that’s because we all have egos. If someone else created a really crappy looking website we would all laugh at it, but because it’s our website our egos will defend it.
Its your choice
In the end its really up to you to consider what your purpose is for having a website. Then realize that the website can help to bring your customer to the next step or chase him away. My best advice is when in doubt "Keep IT Simple"
