bien creative

So you run a small business and you are starting to think whether a good website will help build your customer base.  Myriad surveys have produced countless statistics telling you that Generation X, Y or whoever spends 110% of all waking hours glued to their computers spending umpteen billion dollars on online goods and services.

But is it really suitable for you?  Isn’t e-commerce or whatever they call it nowadays the province of big companies with IT and marketing budgets?  Even though you may be a little bit curious, can you you find anyone to help you get started without spending a fortune?  Can you find a website designer who speaks to you in language you can actually understand. After all who wants to be sneered at by some spotty teenage oik spouting technobabble just because you don’t know the difference between Javascript and Flash action.

Anyway, you may be quite content with the business that comes through the listing in the local business directory and the occasional advert in the local paper.  It may not set the world on fire but at least it keeps you ticking over, right?

Well actually it need not be like that and yes having an internet presence is a solid sales and marketing tool. Getting a website up and running can be surprisingly painless and cost effective.  It does not have to be a replacement for your current advertising but can seriously enhance its effectiveness.

When looking for a local product or service, the first thing many people now do is to ‘google it’.  Often this takes you through to a local online business directory.  This might list 6 or 7 small business suppliers, of which maybe only 1 or 2 has a website listed.  These websites then become shop windows that anyone can browse through.  From the comfort of their own home (or workdesk), your potential customers can see anything you want them to see about you, your business and your products and services.

Sound too good to be true?  Well why don’t you find out more.