| This weekend I was doing my marketing research | | | | or online directories will not have a detailed web page. |
| and asked a new customer as I always do at the | | | | Having a site that gives them more information about |
| end of an interview - how did you find us? Her | | | | you and your business makes them more |
| answer is the one that I now most commonly | | | | comfortable working with you and gives you a |
| receive - "on the internet". More and more customers | | | | competitive advantage. |
| are finding my business on the internet either by | | | | 4) Gives you a way to add value to your business |
| conducting a search using Google or Yahoo or using | | | | by offering visitors to your site free information and |
| an online yellow pages search. | | | | tips or even a free report that is relevant to your |
| This customer also told me that she was looking for | | | | service or product. On my site I offer to give clients |
| a pet sitting company that had a detailed web site | | | | a pre-travel checklist to ensure that they leave home |
| because in her opinion having a website gave the | | | | prepared. I also have articles on my site that give |
| company more credibility and meant that the | | | | visitors seasonal pet care tips. You could offer articles |
| company was serious about their business. This | | | | on the latest pet trends, a report on what to look |
| comment illustrates the power of having a web | | | | for in a good groomer, or free puppy training tips. |
| presence for your business. To compete in this | | | | 5) Can be a low cost form of marketing as long as |
| computer age having a well designed web page or | | | | you choose the right website design and hosting |
| site affects the perception that your customers have | | | | service - or set up the site yourself (it's not as hard |
| about your business image and professionalism. | | | | as you may think!). If you set up your site to be |
| Here are my top 5 reasons for getting your business | | | | optimized with keywords such as the city that you |
| on the web: | | | | serve and the type of service, customers that do all |
| 1) Adds credibility and trust for your customers. On a | | | | their business online will be able to find you easily |
| website you are able to give customers information | | | | through search engines and online directories. You can |
| about your personal background and experience. It | | | | setup and host a website for less than $5 per month. |
| lets them get to know you before you even meet. | | | | My website is one of the cheapest forms of |
| You also have the space to highlight customer | | | | advertising that I have used, and one of the most |
| testimonials which add social proof to the claims that | | | | successful. |
| you make about your service quality and | | | | A great ebook that will help you get started online is |
| professionalism. | | | | How to Create a Website Non-Techie Guide. This |
| 2) Allows you to give customers more information | | | | book runs you step by step through the process of |
| about your business policies and rate structures. On a | | | | getting a domain and host to designing your site and |
| web site you can give a full explanation what they | | | | putting it online. It has video tutorials and a good list |
| can expect from working with your service (or | | | | of resources and is a steal at only $7. I wish I had |
| product). | | | | this guide when I set up my first site. Also check |
| 3) Sets you apart from other businesses that are | | | | though your business association as they are |
| listed in the traditional or online yellow pages or other | | | | beginning to offer simple to create and low cost to |
| service locators. Many of the other pet businesses | | | | host sites to their members. |
| that you compete with for space in the phone book | | | | |