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Why would you need a website? Many businesses, organizations, educational systems and fraternal associations are still operating without worldwide advertising. If you have not yet advertised on the Internet, perhaps it is time to give the idea some serious thought.
Websites don't only attract clients, but they keep clients!
Just about everyone has access to a computer these days and access to the Internet. More and more people are shopping online, researching online, and/or just communicating their thoughts online. A website is economical and can easily be updated.
Compared to expensive brochures that have been used in the past the economics of a website become very attractive. Brochures and flyers can go out of date quickly, and become obsolete, while a website can be updated frequently.
The content of your website is the most crucial element. Simply listing information is not likely to draw many clients. Attractive and expressive graphics along with interesting, informative content, that is frequently updated, will keep traffic coming to your web site.
For example, if your business is real estate, you could have a helpful hint page for new home buyers. You may consider contacting other agents in your locale, and explain your website hints. Many firms hear the same questions over and over from their clients. Perhaps you may want to post answers to the most frequently asked questions. You may be able to avoid wasting costly time, and yet still meet the needs of your clients. Changing the website information frequently and including a list of past articles is another unique idea. Visitors to your site can then e-mail specific requests, and your firm will also be building a mailing list. This may be applied to any business.
Depending on the type of business you are soliciting, it is not always necessary to submit intense topics. A helpful household hint, a concept or sometimes just a bit of a sense of humor will do the trick!
Short articles on topics interesting to your clientele will be read, especially if they are changed frequently and updated.
Traffic to your website can also be increased if you solicit questions in areas of your expertise. Everyone likes getting something for free. The trick is, someone must respond to these questions in a timely fashion.
Keeping a website updated and interesting takes a great deal of time. Hiring a web consultant on an hourly basis may benefit even the smallest of businesses.
Websites may also prove valuable when recruiting employees for your business or organization. Many large firms have already recognized this value of web sites. Graduate students look to the Internet for job leads. Websites can be helpful in providing information about the locale, the clientele, and the minimum requirements for hiring. Positions for secretaries, clerks, administrative assistants and other employees can be advertised on your site.
Here is another idea. Have you ever written a paper that you felt was worthy of being published? Publishing an article is sometimes a dream that not many people have the time for. Now with website publishing, even the most scholarly document is easily published! Our web consultants can assist in editing your articles and placing them on the web.
You may want to consider including links to the addresses of other research and information that is relative to your business. There is an amazing amount of research and information that can be gleaned from the web. The problem is finding it a second time. Sometimes information is lost forever if you leave a site. By providing linking pages you are providing a service that is very helpful for your clients as well as building a network on the Internet.
Including directions and a map to your office or business on your website can be very helpful to clients, job applicants, or anyone who will be visiting your business. To keep the costs down, you may just want to give written directions that will be posted on your site. This is especially beneficial after 5:00 p.m. when your office is closed, and someone needs directions and no one is in your office to give this advice.
Remember websites can be considered advertisements and must meet the rules for ethical advertising. When making a website, it is necessary to comply with all the applicable rules relative to the type of business involved. For example an attorney's web site may be subject to regulations by other states and jurisdictions. Remember the World Wide Web is worldwide!
No matter how wonderful something is the key question is always the price. There is no set price for a website because they are so individualized. Every website has to have a domain name, or a URL web site address and there is usually a registration fee for that of approximately $30-$50. There is a monthly fee to the Internet server which maintains your connection to the web. This will also vary from server to server, but usually runs on the average of $20 a month.
After that, the cost of the site is really based upon you needs. The cost variables depend on the amount of graphics and the number of pages in your site. If you are going to keep the site updated frequently, there may be additional charges. A large site with many photos and pages could cost up to $16,000 and onward, with a yearly maintenance fee, while a simple business card website or a "web greeting" of one or two pages could be put together for under $300. Because web design fees vary greatly, we suggest a consultation to plan your website effectively and economically.
Beware of free web sites. Generally they are difficult to locate, have dull graphics and contain expensive catches. Unless you are very proficient at the computer, buying software to create your own web site is likely to be extremely time consuming and frustrating, and may be very costly. An informative, well-designed and frequently updated site may be a bit more costly at first, but it is much more likely to result in more business.
Internet commerce is booming and the potential is untapped by many. Starting a web site now will make a difference. Let to.the.point show you how you can become a part of the web of the future!
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