by Lisa Barone, 12/21/2009
Overview by Dr. Cheryl Cottle
The article looks at the number of small businesses that have not yet built a website as a marketing tool for their business. The author states that 46 percent of all small businesses do not have a website, but suggests that they should all have a website because gone are the days when your customers or target audience uses a telephone directory to locate businesses to meet their needs. The author also talks about the widespread use of social media by small business owner; suggesting that it is a progressive move, but states that there are disadvantage on this dependency.
She therefore states that:
"It’s possible to create a Web presence without a full site thanks to things like Yelp and other social media outlets. However, you don’t control any of those. You have no say on how they’ll let you connect with customers. You can’t create an email list on Twitter. By relying on other sites to house your conversations you’re severely handicapping yourself." (Barone, L., 2009)
The author therefore suggests that small business owners would see more returns on their investment if they get a website to showcase their product or services. She recommends a simple website and not an e-commerce site. An e-commerce site is a much larger investment and requires greater management. An e-commerce site unlike a website adds much more to your business marketing expansion plan. A website does not have to be very large; a five page website is a great start for a small business.
She also recommends that in creating your website you don’t have to compete with large organizations and businesses by building a “huge web site over flowing with content” but a much smaller space that is more intimate; a place that customers can get to know you and what you do. She therefore recommends that five pages is a good start; and suggests that it should include your home page, product or services page, an about us page, and a contact page is a great first start.
The author further suggests that a “real” website will enable you to gain a great deal of advantage in the marketplace and points out what happens to those who rely solely on “free” social marketing space to market their product, services and or brand. The author states that without a “real” web site, you lose your ability to:
• Differentiate yourself
• Create authority and street credibility with customers and within your industry
• Spread ideas
• Get social
• Take advantage of universal search’s ranking power
• Benefit from the engines bias to show local results
• Share your company’s story and information
• House your own community
• Save costs by answering frequently asked questions
• Target your specific neighborhood: by defined by zip code, points of interest, ideas, etc)
• Build an email list.
You must be asking, what is a “real” website? “I have a “real” website on Facebook, and I also have a beautiful blog,” is your thought right now. While they serve as a great platform for promoting your product or services, they are not “real” websites. A business needs a professional website to reflect more professionalism and to gain greater respect and trustworthiness.
I hope that after reading this blog and the article that you will rethink your marketing strategy for your business and get a website built. If you have the skills and the expertise start now, or get a website expert to build one for you. If you want Cottle's Professional Consulting to build one for you, contact us at: ccottle@drcottle.com
About the Author:
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is an Educator, Instructional Technologist, and System Analysis. She is the Founder of Cottle’s Professional Consulting a multidisciplinary consultancy. Her business website is at: http://drcottle.com Dr. Cottle is also the creator of two online forum; Women in Business on Facebook and CPC Women in Business at http://www.cpcwib.ning.com/
Copyright © 2010 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting
To read the article: http://www.outspokenmedia.com/small-business-marketing/small-business-need-a-web-site/
Overview by Dr. Cheryl Cottle
The article looks at the number of small businesses that have not yet built a website as a marketing tool for their business. The author states that 46 percent of all small businesses do not have a website, but suggests that they should all have a website because gone are the days when your customers or target audience uses a telephone directory to locate businesses to meet their needs. The author also talks about the widespread use of social media by small business owner; suggesting that it is a progressive move, but states that there are disadvantage on this dependency.
She therefore states that:
"It’s possible to create a Web presence without a full site thanks to things like Yelp and other social media outlets. However, you don’t control any of those. You have no say on how they’ll let you connect with customers. You can’t create an email list on Twitter. By relying on other sites to house your conversations you’re severely handicapping yourself." (Barone, L., 2009)
The author therefore suggests that small business owners would see more returns on their investment if they get a website to showcase their product or services. She recommends a simple website and not an e-commerce site. An e-commerce site is a much larger investment and requires greater management. An e-commerce site unlike a website adds much more to your business marketing expansion plan. A website does not have to be very large; a five page website is a great start for a small business.
She also recommends that in creating your website you don’t have to compete with large organizations and businesses by building a “huge web site over flowing with content” but a much smaller space that is more intimate; a place that customers can get to know you and what you do. She therefore recommends that five pages is a good start; and suggests that it should include your home page, product or services page, an about us page, and a contact page is a great first start.
The author further suggests that a “real” website will enable you to gain a great deal of advantage in the marketplace and points out what happens to those who rely solely on “free” social marketing space to market their product, services and or brand. The author states that without a “real” web site, you lose your ability to:
• Differentiate yourself
• Create authority and street credibility with customers and within your industry
• Spread ideas
• Get social
• Take advantage of universal search’s ranking power
• Benefit from the engines bias to show local results
• Share your company’s story and information
• House your own community
• Save costs by answering frequently asked questions
• Target your specific neighborhood: by defined by zip code, points of interest, ideas, etc)
• Build an email list.
You must be asking, what is a “real” website? “I have a “real” website on Facebook, and I also have a beautiful blog,” is your thought right now. While they serve as a great platform for promoting your product or services, they are not “real” websites. A business needs a professional website to reflect more professionalism and to gain greater respect and trustworthiness.
I hope that after reading this blog and the article that you will rethink your marketing strategy for your business and get a website built. If you have the skills and the expertise start now, or get a website expert to build one for you. If you want Cottle's Professional Consulting to build one for you, contact us at: ccottle@drcottle.com
About the Author:
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is an Educator, Instructional Technologist, and System Analysis. She is the Founder of Cottle’s Professional Consulting a multidisciplinary consultancy. Her business website is at: http://drcottle.com Dr. Cottle is also the creator of two online forum; Women in Business on Facebook and CPC Women in Business at http://www.cpcwib.ning.com/
Copyright © 2010 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting
To read the article: http://www.outspokenmedia.com/small-business-marketing/small-business-need-a-web-site/
