... to guarantee your website works!

When buying any business product we all make decisions based on what will give us the most “bang for our bucks”.
The website world, much the same as computers, seems to be filled with jargon and techno speak.

Like many business owners you might be confused as to what to type of website to buy. How much money should you spend on your website? What should your website do for your business?
 
To figure out how much to spend you first need to answer the following questions:


What is realistically affordable to your business?


What is the return on investment for your business?
Fill in our Quick "what do you need form" to find the recommended solution for your business
 
 Let’s look at an analogy.
For a builder buying a new drill for his tradesman he has the option to buy a cheap “no frills” drill for $50 or a more expensive commercial grade drill for $400.

The decision of the builder is based on how long the drill will last, knowing what type of work it is perform to generate him revenue.

In most cases, as the drill is an important tool that save his work man time and therefore makes him more money, the builder will opt to pay $400 knowing it will last 2 years rather than buying a $50 drill that breaks and is discarded in 3 months.

Websites are another type of tool that a business can use within the everyday growth of the business. If we look at a website in this light our discussion becomes a little easier.

Do we need a lightweight website that will be used infrequently so that we can save money or do we need a robust website that will last us a few years while it is busy earning its keep.
 
 Websites should be earn their keep
Sadly with all the confusion and hype around websites, many business owners do not realise that websites can be more than an expensive glossy online brochure. Websites should be earning their keep by actively working and developing customer relationships, helping to retain customer’s loyalty to your business or being a hard working 24 hour sales person.

Do some research; look at websites that you like to use. Understand your options and then make the decision to buy the “tool” that will most benefit your business. There are real websites out there making business owners money. Make sure your website makes you money too.
 
Look for these characteristics on your website to make sure it is a powerful tool for your business:
 
1. Control your own information
These days, better quality websites come with the ability for you to be able to change your information yourself – without needing to know anything about the programming languages such as HTML, technology and hosting concerns etc etc.

You should be able to just enter in your info and press save – it’s called Dynamic Content Management.
This kind of tool will work with you to build your business – not slow you down or waste your valuable time or resources paying someone else to update the information to your customers.
 
2. Personalised opt-in and opt-out
With a database, you have the power to capture your visitor’s names and email addresses.
Using your database you can plan and launch effective Internet marketing email campaigns to your clients.
Generating leads, sales and profits for your business is easy with full opt-in and opt out facilities.
Sending personalised emails to your prospective clients will quickly become the easiest way to do business on the web.
 
3. Database Driven
Database driven websites give you speed and an effective storage of your data.
The Internet is all about speed.
If you have a system that will work faster for your client your can give them quality information – more efficiently.
 
4. Support Network
Like any business if you have the opportunity to learn from others.
You can shave off months on your learning curve and save yourself heaps of money.
Make sure you are working with a company that will network you with other clients to help you learn from their experience.
You can be making money faster.
 
5. Knowledge is power
This is a new frontier for most businesses.
You need to partner with an experienced website provider.
You would not ask your printer to design your marketing campaign, so don’t expect a technical person who knows various programming languages to help you to build a website that will grow your business.