Why You Need A Website, And How To Get One

Apr 16, 2008(0) Comments

(A special welcome to the FastTrac class from the St. Charles EDC—this is the presentation I gave on April 17th, I hope you enjoyed it!)

So you’re looking into getting a website for your business, that’s great! Maybe you need a little more reassurance that having a website is the right thing for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a start-up, or a longstanding business, if you are going to do business in the modern age, a website is critical. This article will present you with basic information on why you need one, and how to get one.

First, this article assumes you have some rudimentary knowledge of what a website (and the internet) is. There are all kinds of websites out there, and it’s difficult to categorize them all, but we’ve broken them down into four general areas that most website fall under. Those four are:

Brochure or Informational

The most basic of all websites, but just as effective. Informational websites commonly are used by service-based businesses or are there for the sole purpose of giving people information. These websites are commonly referred to as “Brochureware” due to their likeness to a brochure—at it’s core, it presents who you are, what you do, and how to get in touch with you. Examples include this site (FusionAge.com), Wikipedia.org, CNN.com, umsl.edu, etc.

eCommerce

E-Commerce (or Electronic Commerce) websites are those sites that specialize in selling a product, and all transactions can be done via that website. This is a convenient option for consumers as they can can browse, research, buy and track a product all from the comfort of their home. ECommerce sites can be broken into Business To Conumser (B2C)—where products are sold directly to consumers, or Business to Business (B2B) where transactions occur between business (such as a vendor/distributor). Examples include Amazon.com, eBay.com, Overstock.com, etc.

Social Networking

Social networking isn’t new, but has taken off in recent years. Blogs and Community-based websites are becoming more and more popular as a means of communication among not only the general populace, but even as a direct channel between buyers and sellers. Examples include Facebook.com, GMBlogs.com, Flickr.com, etc.

Software as a Service

Software as a Service (or SAAS) is rapidly growing in popularity as computing power and bandwidth increase among the masses. Whereas Web 1.0 is considered the more traditional Information and ECommerce, Web2.0 offers complete software solutions all on the web. This could be accounting software, email, file storage, even contact management. Examples include Freshbooks.com (accounting), GMail.com (email), Box.net (digital storage/backup), and HighriseHQ.com (Contact management).

It’s up to you to decide which category (or categories) your site will fall into, each have their strengths and uses.

Once you have this knowledge you’re ready to decide if you need a website. We have compiled a list of 10 reasons why you need a website, which is valuable to help you understand (or reinforce) the purpose of a having an online presence. Once you’re finished, click back here to continue to the next chapter.

Click Here to view “Ten Reasons for Having a Website”

So now that you are reassured that having a website is beneficial, where do you find someone to help. There’s always us, but if you prefer to look around—feel free. Here’s some tips to help you find one.

  1. Start with search engines. Search for “web developer [your city/region]” to find someone local or if you are looking for something in particular, do a search for “web development flash and ecommerce” or “web developer real estate”, to name a few. You’ll want a web developer that has success with placing you high in search engines, so they’d better be easily found as well.
  2. Refer to your local Chamber of Commerce. Most legitimate web design firms are listed here. There are many fly-by-night operations and being a member of a Chamber of Commerce not only lends credibility, but shows they are an active participant in the economic community.
  3. Word of mouth. Maybe you have a friend or business who has a website you love. Ask who did it, and contact them about doing yours. It’s always good to have a reference from a trusted source.
  4. On a budget? Try your local college. Many college students who are specializing in web design would love to have a site or two at the time of graduation. Just be careful, because experience does matter.

Once you find a web developer, how do you know if they’re the right fit for your needs? The next section/article describes the 5 things to look for in a web developer. Click back here when you’re done to continue.

Click Here to view “Five Things to Look for in a Web Developer”

Now that you know where to find a web developer and where to look, the next advice you’ll need is how to ensure your website is top-notch. Our next article gives you our Ten Tips for a GREAT website.

Click Here to view “Ten Tips for a GREAT Website”

So there you have it—armed and ready with the knowledge to ensure your venture into the online world is a success. Whether you choose FusionAge or another developer, we hope the process of getting a website is easy and rewarding, and that your website turns out to be a spectacular addition to your marketing and success.