How Can the Web
Benefit my Business or Organization?
Regardless of what business you are
in, the internet can improve your bottom line, save you time, and improve
customer service. You may be thinking to yourself, "The web is ok for
high-tech computer businesses or large online businesses, but how can it help
me? The internet is usually most
beneficial to established, traditional businesses. Read on to see how you can benefit from the internet.
Supplement Your Existing Advertising
Any business that advertises will benefit from the Word Wide
Web! By including your web address in your print advertisements, the
smallest ad will bring big benefits. Even
the smallest ad can give you the benefit of those full-page ads you've always
wanted -- directions to your business complete with map, your hours, and full-color photos of your
business and its products.
Consider reducing the size of your yellow pages ads. The
money saved will more than pay for your web site. And unlike the yellow pages,
your web site can be updated in minutes, not months!
Internet
Commerce
You are familiar with large internet commerce companies such as
amazon.com, ebay.com, buy.com, etc. Although such leading-edge business
models are risky, traditional businesses can engage in electronic commerce and
increase their sales with little risk.
While eCommerce is a natural extension for existing mail-order
companies, any business can use the internet to enhance sales. The internet is also a
powerful tool for any company who wants to expand into mail-order sales.
A simple and easy thing to do is to maintain a list of customers
who would like to hear from you via email periodically. Email them short
notices on specials, reminders to buy seasonal items or schedule periodic
service, etc. Refer them to your web site for more detailed information.
If you have any printed sales brochures, put them on your web
site. Referring callers to this information saves time on the telephone,
and the time and expense of mailing information. Restaurants can put their
menus online to assist customers placing to-go orders, and as a form of
advertising for dine-in business.
Customer Service
The internet can free up much of the time you currently spend
assisting customers after the sale.
We have already mentioned the benefits of putting sales
information online. Keep a list of questions that you are frequently
asked. Put answers to these questions on your web site to refer customers
to. This saves you time, and is a benefit to your customers. Be it directions to your business, or technical
questions about a product, the customer can print the information (or you
can print it to hand to him), complete with diagrams, photos, maps, etc. rather
than take notes or rely on memory.
Organizations
The web is not just for businesses. The web is perfect for
schools, clubs, civic organizations, and churches. Your web site can be a
source of information for prospective members, and a convenient and current
source of information for current members. It is a perfect place to
display announcements, photos taken at events, weather-related closings,
etc. Consider putting your newsletter online. If you are creative, there
is no limit to what your web site can do.
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