What can a web site do for your business?

• It gives you instant credibility, if it’s a well done site! Potential clients expect you to have a web site and are often disappointed if you don’t.
  
  
• It’s where people can immediately get more information about you after being exposed to your company name in a conversation, print ad or on a business card.
  
  
• You can reduce your printing, advertising and direct mail costs. The web is much more cost-effective than print media.
  
  
• Creative professionals (artists, writers, musicians) can use a web site to build a fan base and to create community.
  
  
• Does your competition have a web site? If they do, they may have an edge over you. If they don’t, the edge belongs to you.
  
  
• You can network with potential customers, clients, fans and allies all over the world. In 2001, the worldwide online population was 445.9 million, projected to increase to 709.1 million by 2004. (Source: CyberAtlas.com)

• You can cut down on the amount of time you or your customer service reps spend on the phone answering questions, if you post information pages and FAQ’s (frequently asked questions) on your site.
  
  
• You can receive immediate customer feedback about your services or products.
  
  
• If you have a local business or organization, you can expand your client/customer base by being listed in the “regional” sections of directories like Yahoo and Google.
  
  
• You can open an online store at a fraction of the cost of a “bricks and mortar” store. No rent, utilities and other overhead costs — just photos, detailed product information pages and a user-friendly shopping cart system.
  
  
• The percentage of shoppers using the internet continues to grow every year. 24 percent of shoppers surveyed used the internet for shopping in 2001, up from 10 percent in 2000 and 5 percent in 1998. (Source: CyberAtlas.com)
  
  
• You can reach shoppers with healthy incomes. In 2001, 45% of all internet users in the U.S. had an average household income over $50,000. (Source: CyberAtlas.com)
  
  
• Your store is always open, 24 hours a day.
  
  
• Your site is your “home” on the world wide web. Let it reflect your values, your personality and your spirit.

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Steps in the web design process

“Planning Your Web Site” Questionnaire