In the dark when it comes to making a decision about having a Web site? With this article below, by a colleague of mine, Julie Smith; we'll try to take the guess work out of the dilemma.

Who doesn't need a Website these days?
Julie Smyth

Of course, I'm talking about businesses not individuals. So, what type of business doesn't need a website? Well, Mr Whippy might be a prime example, and for those unfamiliar with Mr Whippy, its those icecream vans that roam the streets luring children from their homes with the melodic tune of "Greensleeves" ... just like the Pied Piper. They're kinda rare these days ... so, why don't they need a website? They don't need a website because they have no fixed address and their ROI is set in concrete by the tune that plays wistfully from their tinny speakers.

Mr Whippy aside, these days just about all businesses need a Website, even if it is just a Brochure-type Website depicting contact details. Why? Well, because if you don't have one these days you will be left behind, or worse, considered out-of-date. As someone who spends the majority of their time sitting at a PC I tend to utilise the Internet when I'm looking for something. I actually can't remember the last time I opened a telephone book to find a phone number or an address. And, these days with the Australian White Pages website having those cute little maps, why would you bother with anything else. I'm not alone in this, I visited a Website forum this morning and the sentiment among the twenty or so people in the thread was the same ... If you can't find it online it isn't worth finding.

Lets get back to those Websites though, and look at some other reasons why your business needs one. So, you have a business, and, presumably you have a brochure of your goods or services which you send to clients and prospective clients. This is one very good reason to have a Website, as by putting your brochure online you immediately have a "live brochure" that is open for the world to see 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days of the year. The rest of the world aside, remember that local clients are now using the Internet to find local businesses and you want to be in that list! Another reason? A Website allows you to be much more creative in the way your brochure is displayed because you are not limited to print, you can employ multimedia ... audio, animation, film ... to bond yourself with clients. And your Website is much easier to change than printed materials.

A dynamic database driven Website is a living thing and can be updated easily, with those changes depicted instantly online. To keep the website fresh, always think from your clients' point of view and try to cater to their needs. Know who your audience is, and target your audience.

Remember though the other side of the coin. Your Website will work for you if it is professional and flawless. An unprofessional Website will make you look unprofessional. To obtain a return on your investment you will need to select your web developers carefully. Do your research, look at your competitors' Websites. You want your business to look good out there, so choose a development company that offers more than just a design service.

Treat your Website as what it is ... an invaluable Marketing tool. And, don't forget to include it in all your marketing plans. By incorporating your website and email addresses on your letterhead, business card and any other stationery you can think of, you are spreading the word further about your online marketing tool.

So the answer could be no ... no your business doesn't need a website ... but your clients need a way to interact with you 24/7/365 and a website is an extremely easy way to allow them to do that.