In the present age of technology, when people look for a product or service, most start their search on the internet. A recent study showed that between 75%-80% of people look first to the internet when researching to make a purchase or find a service provider. That means that if your business does not have an online presence, you may be missing potential customers.
Most small businesses overlook the internet as a practical and affordable medium of advertising. Not only is internet marketing effective at reaching a market segment that is distinctively separate from those reached through traditional print media, but online advertising also carries the advantages of being cost-effective as well as much more versatile.
A Website Provides Flexibility in Your Marketing Efforts
In print media, once you have created your advertisement, it is frozen exactly as you have submitted for the duration of the placement period, with very little opportunity for change. Most broadcast media also limits the amoount of change you can implement once a spot begins its run. A website gives you the ability to more effectively present your company or message in a truly multimedia environment with the flexibility to change your message or presentation whenever you choose. Whether you want just a simple "online pamphlet" that gives the basic facts about your business, or if you prefer to present a full audio-visual presentation with video and sound, the internet holds the greatest potential for flexible and affordable marketing strategies to reach the greatest audience.
A Website is an Inexpensive and Cost-Effective Marketing Media
As for cost, the internet provides the greatest bang for your buck. Producing and printing just a hard-copy pamphlet will run you anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on its design and number of copies to be printed. Once that batch of pamphlets is gone, more expense and time must be invested to produce a second batch, most of which will end up eactly where the majority of the first batch landed--in a landfill. Aside from the environmental benefits of advertising electronically, a website costs less than almost all other forms of advertising media, considering overall cost of production and maintenance and your resulting cost per customer. Also, once you have your website up and running, maintaining it is just pennies compared to any other media.
A Website is More Than Marketing
The internet offers one more advantage that print and other forms of broadcast media cannot--SALES. Because the internet is configured to enable online transactions, not only can you advertise, but you can literally transact business and complete sales without you having to be present. E-commerce gives us the potential for an automated online "storefront" that can become the most productive member of our sales force. In fact, many online businesses conduct a gross sales volume of half a million dollars or more through their website annually, while keeping their actual employee count to only 1 or 2 people.
Why Don't You Have a Website Yet?
The internet is, by far, the most cost-effective and versatile form of advertising available to businesses, small and large alike. With a professionally produced and well-managed website, even the smallest of companies can compete with the "big boys" when it comes to marketing and selling to specific target audiences. And it can be done effectively whether your advertising budget is defined by "hundreds," or by "millions."
There really is no excuse for any business, regardless of size or focus, not to have a website on the internet today. If you are still one of those who don't, you are not just missing potential clients, you may be "missing the boat."
Get onboard today with a professionally designed website for results that will make a difference.
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