Jan 09 2008
Get your business on the web…today
As we begin to implement our business plans for 2008 nobody should question the value of the Internet to any business. The numbers are clear and compelling:
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- 71% of all Americans (over 237,000,000 people) use the Internet on a regular basis. (Source: internetworldstats.com)
- 91% of Internet users use a search engine to find information. (Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project Tracking)
- 78% of Internet users research a product or service before buying it. (Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project Tracking)
For most businesses it is not the question of why should I have my business on the Internet but how. This can be a significant challenge given the number of options that are available in the market. Companies like Yahoo and Google would be happy to get you started and by the way so would the Yellow Pages and hundreds of other web developers and marketers. How as a business owner can you make an informed decision without investing so much time that it distracts you from your business?
It is important for anyone who is interested in taking the first step to do some homework, and there is plenty of information on the Internet. If you have a general understanding of some of the basic technology this will be very helpful as you take your first steps forward. Have a general understanding of what a Domain name and hosting is. Write down all of your questions as you explore the information. What websites that you use do you like? What don’t you like about other websites? Remember your website will be your business card to the world.
Take a look at your competition and see what they are doing on the Internet. Do they have a website? Are they doing PPC (Pay Per Click) Advertising? Are they collecting eMail address and marketing via email. These are just a few basic marketing activities the Internet has to offer. Is your competition taking advantage of them?
Once you have an idea of what you would like to accomplish online and have taken a look at the competition the next important step is to determine whom to work with. How comfortable are you with the technology? Are you the type of person that needs likes handholding? Or do you want to be in control of every step? Do you want to hand the reigns over to expert? Do you want to work locally or with a large corporation? What is your budget?
Based on the answers to these questions there is a solution for every business. My advice is to speak to several companies and get proposals from all of them. Once you have the proposals in hand ask yourself the following. Do they understand your business, your clients, and market place? Do they have a track record of success? Are they accessible if there is an issue? Do they have references? Will you be an account number or a valued client? Now your ready to make a decision.
The Internet can be a catalyst to bring any business to the next level and beyond. No matter what choices your make, now is the time to put it together and make it happen in 2008.
Wishing you success.
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Paul R. Greenblatt, CPA - Professional Tax & Accounting Services in Monmouth County New Jersey.
