I come from the "internet generation" and understand the importance of running a business or at least advertising your business online. The Internet has opened up a lot of possibilities for businesses that simply weren't available 10 or 15 years ago. But before I start telling my age, let me explain further.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
The Internet never closes at the end of the workday or on the weekend. Your business information and contact details are always available. This means that potential clients can research and decide if they want to do business with you without having to contact you. Previously, a potential client could only inquire about your business during business hours, unless you wanted to provide your private and mobile phone numbers. Now they can send email, you can reply as needed.
More information than ever before
The internet doesn't limit you to a certain number of words. You have literally unlimited space to talk about, advertise and display information about your business. Before, you would have to fit what you thought was the most important information into a 3-second ad or a specific size brochure.
Global users
Before the internet, you had to spend a lot of money to advertise anywhere but your area. You had to rely on people driving by or hearing/seeing one of your local ads to do business with them. However, the Internet is available in every country on the planet, and a website or online ad usually costs exactly the same whether it's viewed by people in your hometown or on the other side of the world.
Variable content
When creating a business brochure or flyer, you had to make sure that you put only non-dateable information into it, because once it's printed, you can't change it. This caused potentially large advertising costs and sometimes many wasted ads due to changing information. Likewise, you could not change the text or print in a radio or television ad until that ad had run its campaign. Changing information online is as simple as pointing and clicking. Has your phone number changed? Simple, login to your website or ad and change it.
Small costs, big results
We all know how expensive traditional advertising campaigns can be. A simple newspaper ad now costs about $15 a week, a billboard about $600 a month. However, online advertising is much cheaper. For example: a static 5-page website will cost you around $109 (if you choose the right designer) and then around $3 per month. That's a total of $145 a year. Publishing to search engines where clients can find your business is free and allows visitors to search and find your website. If you choose to advertise your site on other networks, you only pay when someone actually clicks on your ad. This allows you to control the amount of money, and you only pay for people who actually see your site. Small businesses or businesses with a small budget and get and maintain a website for around $0.39 per day.
Overall, the internet is not one of the best ways to successfully promote your business. If you are new to the internet, you may want to hire a professional to develop and maintain your ads for you. When looking for a designer and web developer, pay special attention to their details. Here are a few things you'll want to avoid:
1) Template Websites – Templates, sometimes called cookie cutter websites, are pre-made designs and settings for a website. Any number of other sites can use the same template for their site. If a potential customer has visited a website with a similar template to yours, chances are they won't take your business as seriously or will link to your business with that website. Ask a potential designer if your website will be unique or templates before you start doing business with them.
2) Hourly Rate Proposal – Some web design companies offer “hourly rate web design”. It has been found that many clock designers will tell you that something takes much longer than it usually does. In this case, you'll end up paying for hours of work when the work actually only took a few minutes, or they'll hold your site hostage until you get it done. Look for set packs that list what you get, regardless of how long it took to complete.
3) High Hosting Fees – Many new business owners and business owners who are new to the internet will have their web designer host their website. While there's nothing wrong with that, be careful about the amount you'll be paying monthly for their hosting. Small businesses that only require a small website should pay no more than $3-$7 per month for hosting. Larger businesses or businesses with large or dynamic websites should never pay more than $10-15 per month. On the other hand, you may find a design company offering free hosting as an introductory offer. If that's true, be sure to ask how much you'll be paying for hosting once the offer expires.
4) Long completion times-Web design is a complicated process, but a good designer can complete a website in a relatively short time. Beware of web designers who take a long time to complete each website. This can be a sign that they have too much on their plate. If this is the case, it is likely that you are not getting the proper attention and care that is needed to make the website a success. Always ask a potential designer how long it usually takes them to complete and publish a website.
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