The importance of the internet

Having a website is surely as necessary as having a business card or a telephone number? But still there are businesses out there that are not embracing the web and are really missing out on new clients.

We are busy, we don’t need a new website: this comment is from pre-GFC as I doubt there are many companies these day that can say this. However there may be companies that think just because they have a website online that is enough. Then they wonder why the phone is not ringing and the appointment book full.

Having a website that works for you is one of the best investments you can make. More and more a website has a stronger role within a business. It used to be that it needed to be:

- easy to use
- informative
- have a good ratio of content and images
- make constant reference to you phone number and email address

Now, your website can be so much more than that. You website can be a relationship, it can develop connections with clients, prospective clients and your team. It allows interaction, it can encourage people to tell others about you, it can promote your business and it can get instant feedback on what people think about you and what you are offering.

Your website is an integral communication tool that should be embraced with enthusiasm and passion!

The use of the term social media is a day-to-day must, it can fit in with almost all business in some way to help with the relationship build between your business and the rest of the world. Adding social media tools in to your website creates the interactivity necessary to get your website working for you.

Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and the like, all help with awareness of your business and can achieve a much further reach than any mail out, print advert or telemarketing campaign. They create virtual networking opportunities that are endless.

A website needs to provide support for your networking, it needs to ensure it is supporting the messages, the enthusiasm and the excitement that you promote about your business.
Your website must have a personality, one that tells the world who you really are. Check out your website with a fresh pair of eyes and let me know if you think it truly captures the passion behind your business.

Alison King- Neon Solutions.
Neon Solutions is a multi-disciplinary creative design studio, covering all aspects of web, print, animation and social media integration.