web essentials
the power of a website
Considering a business website? Here are some figures for thought. A study released in November 2006 by internet monitoring company Netcraft found the number of websites in the world had passed 100 million. It also found that the internet has doubled in size since May 2004 and that most of the growth has been driven by small business websites and weblogs . This Catalyst Media Essentials Fact Sheet provides background information on why a website has become an essential mode of business communication that captures a global audience. Diverse, flexible, limitless
Make your website seen
Imagine a single business asset that can: advertise your business throughout the world … feature product photographs, the latest sales information and training tools for staff … provide a direct ordering method for customers from anywhere in the world, available 24 hours a day … be easily updated by staff members when neccessary. A website can do all this and more.
There are a number of professional tools and strategies available to direct customers to websites, such as Search Engine Optimisation and web advertising services such as Google AdWords™. See the Catalyst Media Essentials: Marketing Fact Sheet for more information.
“
A website is much more than a business expense, it is an essential investment for all businesses operating in the 21st century.
”
Cost-effective advertising
Consider your current advertising methods. A single advertisement in one category of a phone directory can cost thousands of dollars. How much information can you provide in a small advertising space? Now consider a website. A website is available globally and can accommodate as much information as you wish. A website can give your customers the latest information and minor typing errors can be fixed in seconds.
“
A website is an advertisement accessible by your customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
” But my customers know where I am …
Finally, figures for thought At the end of the June quarter 2006, there were almost 6 million active Internet subscribers in Australia, comprised of 867,000 business and government subscribers and almost 5.1 million household subscribers. Considering our population of just over 20 million and more than one person using each one of those internet connections, that’s a decent percentage of the Australian population. These are just your potential Australian-based customers. Imagine how many potential customers worldwide a website can put you in touch with?
Checklist 1. The internet has doubled in size since 2004 to 100 million sites worldwide. Growth has been driven by small business sites and weblogs.
Websites are just as important for supporting existing customers as they are for attracting new ones. Websites offer ‘value added’ services such as easy ordering facilities, notification of specials for your local customers or any changes to operating hours. In a price-competitive retail environment, you can potentially provide products at a better price to customers in Canberra, Cooktown or even Copenhagen!
2. A website is the number one essential investment for businesses operating in the 21st century.
No one in my line of business looks at websites
5. Website business tools can include purchasing facilities, product information, product photographs, exclusive information for special customers, staff training tools and databases.
You would be surprised! If a lot of businesses in your industry don’t have a website, this is an opportunity to get ahead of the pack and be a leader.
Don’t invest in a website simply because everybody else has one. There are many interesting ways to use a website beyond those commonly seen. It’s about offering something to your customers that other businesses are not. (2006), “Surf’s up and up on the world wide web”, The Courier Mail, 3 Nov, p.5.
catalystmedia
4. Your website is always open for business, even when you aren’t!
6. Be innovative and work out ways to make the internet work for your business. 7. There are a number of professional strategies designed to direct customers to your website.
Don’t do as others do
1
3. A website is a global, cost-effective, changeable and continuous advertisement for your business.
2
8. Don’t limit your customer base to the local area. A website can increase your potential customer base to include the whole world.
Source: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/8153.0Main+Features1Jun%202006?OpenDocument)
PO Box 743, Level 1 / 10 Barolin St, Bundaberg Qld 4670 • p 07 4131 9700 • f 07 4131 9797 info@catalystmedia.com.au • www.catalystmedia.com.au
1