Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Why does a small business need a website?

Today, most businesses need an online presence as much as they need a phone or mailbox. Clients simply expect you to have one. For some small businesses, a website is the primary selling tool, and for others it is little more than a directory listing with contact information. From simple to complex, websites have become a requirement for doing business.
Most people begin their search for a product online using a search engine like Google, Yahoo, MSN, or Dogpile (which searches several search engines at once). Having a website that is designed to be an effective Internet marketing tool, can be very valuable for small businesses. Without the right web site, people may not be able to find your business.

Should you hire a graphic designer or do it yourself?
Yourself:Pros: You'll save money by doing it yourself, and you'll have complete control over the look and feel of the site. If you have a working knowledge of basic web design there are free tools that will allow you to create a website on your own. Cons: If you don't know much about computers and/or web design it could take a while to learn enough to get your site up and running. Also, you will have to spend even more time dedicated to making any updates and changes in the future.

A Graphic Designer: Pros: You will get a clean well designed web page in a short amount of time if you hire a web designer. Also, the designer can take care of any changes and updates in the future. Plus, it will give you more time to devote to actually running your business.Cons: You may not always have as much control over the outcome of your site, and very busy designers may take a while to get your site completed. Make sure that the designer is available for one-on-one revisions.

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