Hi mtx,
I have found several articles, along with numerous sites that state
reasons a company would need a website. I?ve also included a few with
opposing views -- it?s always good to know what the opponent is
thinking! Even though many of the following sites may repeat some of
the reasons for having a site, I have included them anyway, because
each site presents the information in a different way. (There are,
after all, only so many reasons why a business needs a website)
For copyright reasons, I can only include a small except of each site,
but you can read the entire article by clicking the link!
According to a survey done by USA Today, in 2002, 705 of small
businesses did not have a web site. Some businesses say they rely on
word of mouth, referrals, or simply don?t deal with customers that use
the internet. According to the Verizon study, fewer than half of
small businesses that did publish a web site saw an increase in
revenue. Then Cerizon says ?Verizon says 26% of companies without Web
sites in its survey say they likely will launch one next year. The
telecom's SuperPages.com online directory sells Web development
services to small and midsize companies.?
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2002-12-30-smallweb_x.htm
Implog Marketing
?Most companies use the Internet as a promotional tool or they set up
a virtual shop and sit back waiting for prospective customers to visit
their shop front - their web site and place orders.
Unfortunately it's not true that "If you build it they will come".
This strategy has not proven successful because companies haven't
taken into account the marketing environment and do not understand
what the Internet really is. Companies that use the Internet as a
promotional medium, with the sole objective of increasing enquiries
and sales, are simply wasting money. They would be better advised to
take out an advertisement, which is likely to receive a better
response rate. They are also likely to be disappointed if they
concentrate entirely on increasing inquiries and generating new
business.
It is important to keep in mind that the only way to exploit the
Internet properly is to remember that the purpose of any Internet
marketing plan should also be: "To create and keep customers." The
only way to achieve this is by using the Internet is to aim for a
four-point strategy, which will help you to meet your goals more
effectively and efficiently.?
http://www.implog.com/imp/marketng.htm
WebPro International
?A Website can revolutionize the way you do business. It can help you
increase revenues, decrease costs and build tighter relationships with
customers, employees and business partners. As you gain experience
with your Website, you can continue to integrate it with your
business, taking advantage of its unparalleled reach and high level of
interaction to increase your competitive edge.?
http://www.webpro.com/pressdetails.asp?nid=101
From SCORE, Counselors to America?s small Businesses , in an Interview
with Terri Lonier
Small Business Consultant
?Having an e-business enables firms to make better use of their time.
If a business owner chews up billable hours answering the same
questions repeatedly, then he or she is losing money. With a Web site,
small businesses can provide basic company information?like services
offered, business history, location, and more?and head off customer
questions. E-business owners can also respond more quickly to customer
comments, conduct surveys and ask for feedback to make sure they're
spending their time delivering appropriate services.? And ?A Web site
enables a businessperson to do things that he or she can't do well on
the phone, like show a representative client list. Also, the same
material presented through your Web site carries a strong sense of
authority and credibility. Potential clients want objective
information they can evaluate themselves. An independent review of
your services, particularly if it includes endorsements from other
clients, carries more weight than your own ravings about how great
your services are.?
http://www.score.org/eb_37.html
Audience Dialogue
?As an example, let's take "having a website." Think of this activity
as being halfway up a ladder, with 5 steps above it and 5 below. You
go up the ladder by asking "why" and down it by asking "how." For
example, move one step up the ladder by asking "why are we having a
website?" The answer might be "to give more information to our
customers." Move up another step by asking "why give more information
to customers?" The answer might be "so they won't have to telephone us
with their questions." Move up another step by asking "why don 't we
want them to telephone us?" The answer might be "to save us money and
time." (Another version of the "five whys" involves thinking of five
different reasons for any situation; that's a useful exercise, but not
what we mean in this context.)?
http://www.audiencedialogue.org/effect.html
From Entrepreneur.com
?Nowadays, there is very little that can't be sold over the Internet.
More than 20 million shoppers are now online, purchasing everything
from books to computers to cars to real estate to jet airplanes to
natural gas to you name it. If you can imagine it, someone will figure
out how to sell it online.? And ?The point to be made here is that you
should at the very least have a presence on the Web so that customers,
potential employees, business partners and perhaps even investors can
quickly and easily find out more about your business and the products
or services you have to offer.
That said, it's not enough that you just have a Web site. You must
have a professional-looking Web site if you want to be taken
seriously. Since many consumers now search for information online
prior to making a purchase at a brick-and-mortar store, your Web site
may be the first chance you have at making a good impression on a
potential buyer. If your Web site looks like it was designed by a
barrel of colorblind monkeys, your chance at making a good first
impression will be lost. ?
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,311640,00.html
Microsoft?s bCentral
?But local businesses (dry cleaners or shoe repair shops, for example)
also can benefit from a Web site that shows their location, lists
their services or offers special promotions.
And woe to those who think they don't need a compelling Web site
because they serve other businesses rather than retail consumers. Many
businesses search for new suppliers online ? and order from them that
way, too.
In short, if you want more customers, you should be online, regardless
of your industry.?
http://www.bcentral.com/articles/marketing/123.asp
Office on the Web
?In 1996 a major corporation suddenly determined that they would
obtain a tax advantage by purchasing some products before the end of
their calendar year. They had about two weeks to decide what products
were available, how the product capabilities and limitations would fit
within their long-term strategy, and purchase the products. That was a
tough job. The typical purchase cycle for their corporation was more
than a month. Thus, the survey of the market had to be done fast, and
it had to be done right.
They did it almost completely through the web. Products were
researched, priced, and delivery times were totally investigated by
web. Businesses that did not have a web site were not even contacted.
The only personal contact was after product and company selection was
made. ?
http://www.officeonweb.com/webprofit.htm
National Business Association
?Even if you primarily serve a small local market, you can improve
your competitive edge by using your web site to enhance service to
your customers in ways that your competitors haven't yet tried. For
instance, a hardware store can design its site to let customers check
an inventory search engine to see if a needed tool or appliance is
available, request home delivery, and even let the store know where to
leave the purchased good in the event nobody is at home. A beauty
salon can display the available appointment times for its hair
stylists.?
http://www.nationalbusiness.org/NBAWEB/Newsletter/225.htm
On MASWit, Andrea Harris, owner of Minerva Solutions says: ?A Web
site is a great way to reinforce the effectiveness of your other
business development and marketing efforts, such as ads and press
releases. If you put your Web address on all of your materials you can
draw people to your site, where you can provide more details. If you
speak at conferences or write industry articles to increase your
visibility, a Web site can expand the details in your bio?
She outlines many points as to why businesses need a website.
http://www.imakenews.com/masswit/e_article000110569.cfm?x=304265,7985340
Kalsey Consulting
?I have yet to see a small business that doesn?t stand to gain through
a professional, well-planned Web site. A solid Web site that
integrates into a small business?s processes can increase customer
satisfaction, reduce costs, and speed delivery times.?
http://kalsey.com/blog/2003/01/small_businesses_missing_the_web/
An article by Michael Moorefield, a founder of ThirdWeb Solutions
discusses the importance of a web site to any business.
http://www.smallbizarticles.com/Business_Articles/Articles/488-article1st.doc
CyberAspect
?More and more people are increasingly using the Internet as the first
step to find out who can offer the goods and the services they
require, even if they still choose to buy conventionally face-to-face.
Just look at how easy it is to search the Internet for exactly what
you want, getting instant results, so why will people struggle with
older slower methods? So increasingly, whatever your business, whether
business to business or consumer orientated your customers will be the
sort who use the Internet.?
http://www.cyber-aspect.com/features/fa_019.htm
Firms Expanding Internet Presence
?You can use the Web to build awareness of your products or services,
develop leads, provide information, sell products, and provide
customer support, according to April L. Lougheed of LockHeed Guidance,
Inc., a Fishers, Ind., company that designs Web sites and devises
marketing strategies for using the Web. She says a Web site allows you
to reduce phones and staff, save on postal and printing costs, update
information immediately, and create a demographic customer database
automatically.?
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m1154/n8_v86/20934439/p1/article.jhtml
NewWebConstruction
?it is imperative for businesses to establish and maintain their Web
presence in order to survive and prosper in the future. By utilizing
this incredible marketing and communications tool your audience is the
world.?
http://www.nwwebconstruction.com/awebcons.htm
Business Use of the World Wide Web
This older study found that businesses web sites are used primarily
for the following reasons:
General publicity 71.4%
Advertising of specific products and services 67.3%
On-line selling of products and services 38.8%
Customer support and liaison 36.7%
http://informationr.net/ir/3-4/paper46.html
Internet Presence
http://www.the-internet-presence.biz/busart5.htm
IdeaMarketers
?No company can afford to ignore the fact that online marketing is now
a multi-billion-dollar business. Those businesses without an online
presence are missing out on a goldmine of potential customers.
Like anything, there are exceptions to the rule and marketing on the
Internet may not suit absolutely every business. However, claiming to
be the exception is often a disguise for making excuses.
Reality is; that some businesses fail to appreciate the revenue
potential of Internet marketing. Others simply fear change, or put
Internet marketing in the too hard basket and hope that it will go
away. Unfortunately for them, Internet marketing is growing every day.
There will come a time when they will lose business, simply because
they lack an Internet presence. For many businesses, that day has
already arrived.?
http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/article.cfm?articleid=11973&wherefrom=PROFILE
Online Women?s Business Center
http://www.onlinewbc.gov/docs/techno/information_tool.html
http://www.onlinewbc.gov/docs/success_stories/ten_things.html
Pandecta Magazine
?Marketing on the Internet is not really a choice anymore, but has
almost become a necessity in today's marketplace. No company can
afford to ignore the fact that online marketing is now a
multi-billion-dollar business. Those businesses without an online
presence are missing out on a goldmine of potential customers.?
http://pandecta.com/online-presence.html
SFGate
Reasons not to have a site:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/1999/07/28/BUSINESS6818.dtl
Dallas Biz Hournal
?Today's small businesses are beginning to treat the Internet as a
standard marketing and advertising tool," said Patrick Marshall, group
vice president for marketing at Verizon Information Services. "Our
experience with our own small business customers underscores this
trend."
http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2002/12/23/daily16.html
The Advisor
?EVERY small or home-based business should consider a website. There
are certainly some businesses where a website offers nothing of value
but for the vast majority a website can be a very effective sales
channel and marketing tool?
http://www.isquare.com/website.cfm
DISInc Ten Top Reasons That Your Business Needs a Website
http://www.dis1.com/top10web.htm
Web Wiz Guide
?The best way to promote your product is to use traditional
advertising and let potential customers know they can find out more
information through your web site.?
http://www.webwizguide.info/web_design/planning/do_i_need_a_web_site.asp
FlintMich.com
Why Your Business Needs a Website
http://www.flintmich.com/reasons.htm
Apex Web
?The web is one of the most cost effective ways to market your
business. Once the initial development is complete the a small yearly
maintenance fee keeps your business in front of your desired
customers?
http://www.apexweb.biz/html/small_businesses_need_a_web_si.html
Another perspective
?38 % of C-level respondents said the Web is their single most
important source for information on business. Forbes.com and GartnerG2
Unveil More C-Level Research Results.?
http://www.channelminds.com/article.php3?id_article=1142
Additional reading:
http://www.wilsonweb.com/articles/12design.htm
http://www.calcpa.org/consumers/ask/2001/mm.11.03.html
ComputerWorld
?Let's face it -- the world is hooked on e-commerce. Just about every
aspect of business has some sort of Internet-based presence?
http://www.computerworld.com/securitytopics/security/story/0,10801,90125,00.html?SKC=ebusiness-90125
Microsoft Case Studies, Loreal
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/CaseStudy.asp?CaseStudyID=11160
Why Websites are Important
http://www.esrc.ac.uk/commstoolkit/websites/important.asp
LaCrosse Business
http://www.lacrossebusinesses.com/yourwebsite.htm
WebMasterStop
http://www.webmasterstop.com/articles/online-presence.shtml
?Please don't make the mistake so many businesses do by ignoring this
critical aspect of an online presence. To do so is like building a
hotel in the middle of a desert and then expecting people to find it
when there are no roads in, it's not on any maps and you haven't even
told anyone it's there! Sounds crazy but it's what people are doing.?
Other tips can be found on this site as well.
Strategic Marketing Montreal
?Many people use the computer to find potential suppliers. The
Internet does a great job of levelling the playing field. So a new
competitor with limited funds can be very visible on the Web. If your
company isn't there, then the competitor may be the only visible
supplier. Provided what the website offers meets the customer's need,
then the competitor gets the business.
It's also important not to allow the competitor to be the first one
with a website. It takes some time for a website to establish itself
on the Internet with the search engines. If your competitor steals a
lead on you, then you may find it difficult to catch up.?
http://www.ouryacht.com/marketing/importance.htm
http://www.strategicmarketingmontreal.ca/newsletter-31.htm
Cyberspeaker
Growing Your Business in Cyberspace
?You see, websites are really a lot like a business plan! If you are
trying to attract prospective clients, then each individual page on
your site should offer something of value to your audience.?
http://www.cyberspeaker.com/growingsynopsis.html
Why Would my Business Need a Website?
?-Because your competitors already do!?
http://www.techlh.com/why_web.htm
Creighton University ?BUILDING ONLINE TRUST: EXPLORING THE REASONS
BEHIND WEBSITE USE?
http://www.creighton.edu/PubRel/newsrel/2004_releases/03182004_onlinetrust.html
Small Business Stategies
?No matter what's been said about the ups and downs of the dot.com
world, no business these days is too small to benefit from a good
website, and almost any small business can afford one. What a business
owner can't afford is to be without a website. A website can help
small businesses compete with larger ones, leveling the playing field
with a well-aimed slingshot against the Goliaths.?
http://www.weavingwebdesigns.com/news-articles-international-business.htm
South Dakota Web Design
http://www.southdakotawebdesign.com/WhyaWebSite.shtml
WebTools
http://www.reiki-for-holistic-health.com/webtoolsforpractitioners.html
Internet Presence
http://www.the-internet-presence.biz/busart5.htm
Rick Figley Newsletter
http://www.rickfigley.com/newsletter/
500 Ways
10 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Website
http://www.500ways.co.uk/html/business_websites.html
The Net Reporter
http://www.thenetreporter.com/story3.htm
2Marketontheweb
5 Reasons You Need a Website
http://www.2marketontheweb.com/5reasons.htm
Internet news
http://www.internetnews.com/stats/article.php/3086151
GlobalNexchange
http://globalnexchange.com/web-design/website-benefits.htm
WebMedley
http://www.webmedley.com/need.html
Private Golf Courses
http://www.privategolfcourses.com/country_club_websites/index.cfm
Consultancy Marketing
http://www.consultancymarketing.co.uk/reasons-for-website.htm
IMRG
http://www.imrg.org/IMRG/copystore.nsf/(httpFAQs)/CDF06FEE0073173B802569B40037C49E
TTMS
http://www.ttms.org/content_management/content_management.htm
A New Day Technologies
http://www.anewdaytechnologies.com/whywebsite/20reasons.htm
Hope this helps you, mtx! If any part of my answer is unclear, please
request an Answer Clarification, before rating. This will enable me to
assist you further, if possible.
Regards,
crabcakes
Reasons need web site
Business website
Website value
Need website
Importance website |
