The simple answer is YES. 64% of businesses use the internet as their first source of information on products and services before purchasing
How can a website help my company grow
Any small business has competition, typically your competitors will be well established within your specific sector, a good website can help you in many ways, including:
Giving potential customers the impression that your company is larger than it actually is
Promoting the right image of your company
Existing or potential customers can be kept informed of your Company's news, new products or services and promotions quickly and cost effectively
It offers a method of feedback to your customers
And more importantly, it generates interest in your products and services which undoubtedly will increase sales!
BENEFITS OF SELLING ONLINE:
Making savings in set-up and operational costs. You don't need to pay shop assistants, rent high-street premises, or answer a lot of pre-sales queries.
Reaching a global audience, thereby increasing sales opportunities.
Competing with larger businesses by being able to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Being able to receive payment more quickly from online transactions.
Attracting more loyal customers through better customer service.
Improving your offerings using the data gathered by tracking customer purchases.
Using your online shop as a catalogue for existing customers.
Can my website be easily developed as my company grows
YES it can. Hall-Fast Design Services understands that the first website that a small business requires is likely to be relatively basic, but as your company grows your website will need to be developed, we offer a number of packages specifically aimed at small businesses that clearly shows the development path from a basic website up to a more sophisticated website that offers facilities such as online shops and extranets.
The majority of the cost of any website is in the development of the first page, when you require additional pages or features such as online shops and extranets, we can guide you through this process to ensure that costs are kept as low as possible, whilst ensuring that you are making the right leap for your business.
Things to consider before starting the website
Whether you require a new website to be designed or would like to update your existing website, the following tips will help you.
CONTENT
The content should be current & relevant and the navigation clear and functional
COMPETITORS
Look at your competitors websites, how could this be improved or made easier to use? This will give you ideas for your website
STYLE
What colours would you like to use on your website, is it different from the competition?
Do you have any favoured print fonts, colours, logos, trade marks or designs that must be incorporated or that you would wish us to take into account in the design?
What overall impression do you want your business to create with your target customers/clients? For example:
Technical
Artistic
Empathetic
Innovative
Ecological, 'green'
Trustworthy etc
CUSTOMERS
Will your customers expect a site that looks professional, playful or sophisticated?
CORPORATE IDENTITY
Stationery - Do you need to implement the design into the other promotional materials and stationery?
Logo - Do you need a brand new logo?
Is your current logo still representing your new goals of business or does it need to make slight revisions to improve your identity?
E-mails, hosting
Do you need e-mail addresses for individual people or departments
A back-up facility for your (electronic) filing system
Access to shared files for your employees
On-line shop - Will you take orders and/or payment through the site?
If 'Yes', how soon, immediately or in the future?
Once you can define the above, compile a ‘wish list’ of the features that you would like to achieve, and finally, do not take the step before you know how much time and money is required.
