WHY BUILD A WEBSITE?

Over 200,000,000 American homes have internet access.

Online sales are expected to soar to $200 billion in 2007 to claim 8.5 percent of total retail sales.

The average Internet Surfer spends over 10 hours online weekly searching for goods, services, and information.

If you have a business card, you need a web site.

If you have a brochure, you need a web site.

If you have a sign on your car, you need a web site.

A web site will help you get more customers and sales. Not only that, it'll help you get the right customers-- the ones who want your service. A web site is like your salesman that never sleeps and is there to help people find you.

Does your business, organization, or civic club have an online presence? What are you waiting for?

CHOOSING A WEBSITE DESIGNER

Look at their work — their clients' websites. Do they look professional? Are they logical, easy to use, and provide what's needed to help customers achieve their (and the clients') goals?  Professional websites require an understanding of actual design — and what presentations and approaches might be pertinent to your industry.  The pages also have to download fast, and work in a variety of browsers.

Can he work with you — and vice versa? This is an important point. Designing a website is an intense endeavor, and the designer will need to work with you, to get a feel for your business and industry, and to ascertain your preferences and goals. At the same time, you'll have to feel comfortable with him, and to know that he'll give you the benefit of his knowledge of the Web and marketing.  

Long-Term Relationship Find out what his plans are after your website is completed. Many clients appreciate an ongoing relationship, the ability to follow up, get website maintenance, plan future expansion strategies, or just kick ideas around. Some design houses just design; others are available to help with marketing strategies. Will he be there when you need help setting up your email program to get your website's email?

Is this the right web designer?  The savvy, experienced web designer can implement your ideas and enhance them, spotting possible pitfalls and making recommendations along the way — and he'll help you to understand the procedure and give you the benefit of his experience and understanding of the Web, so that you come away not only with a website, but with an enhanced understanding of the Web and online business. In short, he'll work with you and be effective.