The Importance Of A Web Presence For Your Company

In this day and age, if your business doesn’t have a website, then you are going to be left behind in the dust.

As an owner of a technology business and the former owner of a home improvement business, I know better than many of the importance of having that presence on the web.

My previous business was a home improvement business. In the old days, if someone needed a quote for my services, they would simply pick up the phone book, and most likely call the company with the biggest and most attractive ad. Unfortunately, in 2003, I went into the home improvement business with that same exact thinking. I placed massive ads in 4 different phonebooks, in 4 different counties. I was paying nearly $2000 per month for those ads combined. So, did the phone ring? Of course it did, but not as much as I expected for the money I spent on the ads and the time designing them.

Eventually, a few years later, I went online with that business and setup a website where potential clients could request a quote online. Sadly, with the economy downturn, it was too little too late.

I think back to 2003 when I opened that business. At the time, it was somewhat important to have a yellow page ad presence so people could determine if you were a legitimate business as opposed to fly-by-night outfit. However, if I would have channeled only 25% of the money I spent to the phonebook and 75% to a website and online marketing, I think I would have survived the recession.

People don’t really look to the yellow pages anymore to verify a business, they run right to their computer and see if the company has a website and to look for reviews. Personally, I haven’t touched a phonebook for years except to bring it in the house after they deliver it to the driveway.

Even the smallest ad in a phonebook is about $200 per month. Imagine what $200 per month would get you on the internet? You could have banner ads, a keyword based advertising plan, online newspaper ads,etc.

People today also like to contact businesses via email or web form. I know I do. Why listen to the sales pitch on the phone if you don’t have to? My old business had a form where you could put in your zip code and it would then send you to a page for the office that served you and from there you could submit an online quote request. Someone from my office would email them back and set up a time when they would come out in person for the price quote. My clients absolutely loved it.

So, the bottom line is this: if you have a business, or are planning on opening one, take the time to establish a web presence.

Get pragmatic tips about seo tips – make sure to go through the webpage. The times have come when proper info is truly within your reach, use this chance.