You may ask yourself why you would need a website.  You may have already established your business and have acquired a loyal customer base.  Your current advertising medium, whether it be through newspaper, radio, television, or word of mouth, seems to have been effective, and sales are booming.  Is there really any need to get your business 'online'?

According to an article written by Statistics Canada, in the year 2000:
 

"Canadians have more than doubled their purchases of goods and services online from home, according to the second annual snapshot of household electronic commerce activity from the Household Internet Use Survey. In all, 2.6 million households used the internet to support purchasing decisions either by window-shopping or placing an order online. From January to December 2000, an estimated 1.5 million households placed 9.1 million orders over the internet, spending an estimated $1.1 billion."

The question is, can your business afford to not be online?  Have you unknowingly missed out on a potential sale because you didn't have a website?  Do your competitors have websites?

The internet is an incredible medium; scads of information may be found on any given subject, product or service by simply entering a few key strokes and mouse clicks.  The internet is also an indispensible marketing tool:

• A website cannot be misplaced, sent to the wrong address, or thrown out.
• A website gives your customers instant access to your products or services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on a global level.
• A website may be changed on the spur of the moment to provide your customers with immediate updates.
• The chance of impulse buying increases when customers view products or services at their leisure, with the option to buy 'now'.

Consider the cost of advertising through radio, television, or newspaper.  This form of advertising is usually 'temporary' - live media advertising lasts for only a few seconds, and you must pay each time your ad is shown or announced.  Printed advertising lasts somewhat longer, but the same rule still applies - most people will throw away their newspapers or magazines, and the ads must be renewed daily, weekly or monthly, incurring further advertising costs each time.  Almost all printed or live media is geographically specific - an ad in a major newspaper, or a radio advertisement will only reach people within a given area.

The internet breaks these barriers.  A website may be updated at given intervals, usually for much less money.  Your business would no longer have geographic limits - the internet is global.  Your customers will have information on your products or services any time, anywhere.  Your customers will be able to access your information at their convenience.  No other form of media offers this flexibility.

Ask yourself:

• Would I like my business to have more exposure?
• Would I like to give my customers the option to shop or browse whenever it is convenient for them?
• Would I like to increase my sales?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, having a website would be to your advantage.  

Even if you are not a non-profit organization, a family who would like to display their family tree, or an avid hobbyist, having a website would still work to your benefit; the information on your site could create awareness, or simply act as an information source to many people.  An interactive website could provide a means of communication and support for families or organizations.  The possibilities are endless.

If you would like more information in this area, we would love to answer any additional questions you have - please do not hesitate to contact us.

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