Why Your Brick-and-Mortar Biz Needs A Website

The internet has taken over our lives with a vengeance, and
has changed the way many of us do business. More and more
consumers are now doing their shopping online and,
unfortunately, some business owners have felt the pinch.

But there are many small businesses that have been virtually
unaffected by the internet boom. Those professionals in the
more service-oriented fields - veterinarians, chiropractors,
beauticians, dentists and more - do almost all of their work
in what's now affectionately know as the brick-and-mortar
business, and as such can never be fully replaced by
internet technology.

However, many of these businesses, from tiny
mom-and-pop stores to small health care centers - have
yet to merge onto the information highway, and it's costing
them plenty; of customers, that is.

That's because, although traditional advertising (phone
books, flyers, radio ads, etc.) are still widely used, there
is no doubt that the most effective advertising now takes
place online.

As our society becomes increasingly computer-savvy,
consumers are turning more and more to the internet for
information and advice on where to do their business. Your
potential customers would much rather type your business
name into a search engine than ferret out your phone
number in some ratty, old phonebook.

And who can blame them?

On the web, your potential clients can find out your hours
and location 24/7, get a feel for your business philosophies
and practices and can learn about your services and pricing
without having to listen to annoying hold music or endless
phone menus. Even better, they can get all the information
they need at their own pace, taking breaks to feed the cat
and burp the baby as needed.

Of course, they can't do any of the above unless your small
business has its own website, preferably with a recognizable
domain name (YourBusinessName.com) and Search Engine
Optimization, which makes your business easier to find on
the vast world wide web. Now that so many consumers
are turning to the internet to find the services they need,
it's imperative that your small business has the same (or
better) web presence than that of your competitors.

Luckily, web design now comes in all flavors and sizes, so
you won't have to look far to find a designer and a site
that's right or you.

Often a simple one-page website is enough for very small
businesses; hours, location, contact information and basic
services can all be presented in a professional way for your
prospective customers. A medical professional may require
more pages; perhaps choosing to explain particular
procedures and detailing insurance information. And some
small businesses prefer to put everything online, from
articles and interactive forms to detailed descriptions of
their personal business philosophies.

No matter which design and options you choose, your
website will reassure and impress potential consumers,
leading them directly to your brick-and-mortar door, and
leaving you to concentrate on what you do best; running
your small business.