Are Websites Right For You?

• What is a website?
• What does it take to create, update and maintain one?
• Will it generate zillions of dollars of revenue for my business?
• Are websites right for you?

What is a website?

Websites are collections of pages which contain information about a certain subject.

Wasn't that easy?

In general, websites can be viewed as marketing brochures. They provide your potential customers and candidates with an instant look at your business and services. In this day and age, ease of finding information is becoming more and more important, and websites are now providing that at a fraction of traditional marketing costs.

The key, of course, is letting the world know your pages exist! There are many ways to do this.
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What does it take to create, update and maintain one?

Creating a top-notch website requires a great deal of planning and skill. It can be broken down into the following components:

• What is the message you want to convey?
• Who is your audience?
• What information do you want to provide?
• What kind of response do you want from viewers?

From those basic ideas, you can figure out the essence of your site. The next things to consider are:

• Where will it reside?
• Will you buy a domain name?
• Who will design it?
• Will the designer consider the importance to search engine ranking?
• How much will it cost?
• Who will maintain and update it?
• How much will that cost?
• What kinds of graphics/programs would you like present on it?

Some of the earlier browsers can't properly see new pages (such as Netscape 2.0 and earlier). Other browsers don't interpret programming the same way - for example, if you are viewing this page with Netscape Navigator 3.0 or higher, you'll notice the "Main Page" image on the top left appears to raise up from the page when you move your mouse over it. Alas, Microsoft IE doesn't often see this at all, and so misses out on the precise effect.

The page layout is also important. It's tempting to plaster up humongous color images of your business, but stop to think - many people are still accessing sites at either 14.4 or 28.8 speeds. Large graphics means your site downloads slowly, resulting in bored viewers who just as often skip over your page. Small, concise images best convey your message. There are other factors as well to consider.
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Will it generate zillions of dollars of revenue for my business?

Probably not, at least for the first few months.

Websites are additional tools, much like your brochures and television commercials. They are there to enhance your overall image and present your offerings in such a way that interest is sparked and customers call.

Revenue can also appear as unexpected benefits. Consider the International Bestselling Novel Site - The Light Bearer. I designed this site as a way to let people know of the book's existence, and marketed in very subtle ways. Because of my efforts, it's generally agreed by the author that the book has gone into its second printing (relatively rare for an first-time author). Consider Comrise Technology - every time a person reads one of the jobs postings on the Internet newsgroups, they can zoom over to the site and learn more about the company.
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Are websites right for you?

It depends. Websites can be as simple as a page of information which require no updating, or as complicated as Amazon.com . Ask yourself the following.

• What is the end result you'd like to see?
• Who will maintain your pages?
• Who will be responsible for replying to email sent to the site?
• How much is a reasonable amount to spend?
• What is your definition of success for your site?

Should you then decide the website is right for you, make certain you speak with any potential designer to find out exactly what you receive for the price. Speak your mind on your goals, and ensure both the designer and you are in agreement as to what constitutes success. In other words, approach it much like you'd approach any other potential marketing endeavor.
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