AA Imagination - DIY Web Design, Tutorial, Web Hosting, Domain Names

How can a website help my business?

Improve Your Business Image
Simply just having a web site improves your customer's perception of your business. Customers often feel that if a business does not have a website, then it is behind the times and will call your competitor instead. This particularly applies to enquiries from sources such as Yellow Pages On-line where customers will go and look at your website to try and establish details about your business and your product before they decide if they will call you or someone else. If you have no website, then they will look at someone else's product instead.

All your yellow pages ads, company letterheads, business cards, with comp slips, statements, invoices, and any other forms of stationery should also display your web address as this will help to affirm your image as a modern and adaptable business. Having a web site also attracts an increasing number of people who prefer to communicate by email so make sure your email addresses are listed in your contact details on your web site and on your stationery and other advertising where possible.

Display Products & Information 24 / 7 - 365 days
A web site will allow you to post pictures of your products and any other information which may entice a potential customer to contact you. If you sell a product, pictures are a great way to get your customers attention as a customer will see the products they are seeking to purchase as well some they may not realise you stock. Your web site could also be updated monthly to list special offers or changes in your business or product line and it costs far less than producing and distributing brochures all the time.

Answer Questions
If you get asked the same questions every day, you may also find that a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page may save you some time. Web sites are also good for displaying instructions and product information and can save you time on the phone as well.

Web Statistics
An interface supplied with your web hosting allows you to view statistics such as how many hits your site receives, what pages your visitors are looking at, what country they are from and other useful information that can assist you with your marketing analysis.

Custom Email Addresses
Customised email address such as you@yourbusiness.com.au or sales@yourbusiness.com look professional and are easily set up with your web hosting. Using customised email addresses also allows you to change your Internet service providers without your customers losing your e-mail address when you switch.

Email Brochures
E-mail can be a very effective way of attracting repeat customers to your website and is a inexpensive tool. Your email could be in the form of a monthly newsletter containing details of special offers but make sure the email attracts attention and is short and to the point or people will not read it. Always make sure there is a link to your web site in the message and use an introduction such as Dear Valued Customer, never Dear Sir or Madam.

Be very, very careful with email brochures. If you annoy people you will find that they will avoid conducting business with you and may also avoid looking at your web site in fear that it may lead to receiving more junk email. I personally get annoyed if I receive email marketing from any one particular firm more often than bi-monthly unless it is something I specifically subscribed to or is related to the core of my business.

As from May 2004, unsolicited electronic marketing such as email (SPAM) has been made illegal in Australia and you MUST GAIN THE CONSENT of your customer before sending out such messages. Failure to do so could result in your web hosting being suspended or terminated as well a prosecution by the relevant authorities. In your messages, you should also provide the facilities for your customer to easily unsubscribe.

To gain consent you could ask your customers if they would like to receive information about product upgrades, special offers, newsletters, etc. You could also offer prizes or reductions on their next purchase or give them points counting towards future purchases to people on your mailing lists. Email marketing ideas are endless, you just have to be creative. Done with subtlety and as personally as possible, most people will not mind being on your mailing list as long as you don't over do it.

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