Think about it…does Starbucks really need to be worried about their website?  Is General Electric worried that they don’t get enough internet traffic?  Of course not.  Because large corporations rely on their sites as mostly a bonus for a large existing customer base.  But for the small business owner, a great website can mean the difference between scraping by, and really being successful.
 
Owning a business can be rewarding on many levels. The idea of responding to the wants and needs of a group of people can bring great satisfaction to a small business owner. The twenty-first century entrepreneur has embraced the fact that not only is the physical location for their business important, but also a virtual address for their customers as well. The small business’ website can introduce products to new customers, increase income from ad programs, and communicate more effectively with new and current customers.
 
In addition to efficiently presenting your services to the world, website can save a great deal of money in advertising costs. Spending $400.00 to place a 2″ x 2″ ad in a local newspaper, to be posted for one day, can quickly deplete an advertising budget for the month, with little impact since describing a business thoroughly in such a small space is nearly impossible. The development of a great website can be affordable, and initially may be as simple as a one page description of what and where the business is, and what the product is. A website is not just viewed by people locally, but it can be viewed by anyone, at any time, from all over the world, thereby, introducing a product to a greater number of people faster.   Digital Peabody can customize a website that does everything you need a site to do to help grow your business.
 
Increasing product awareness to customers via a website will increase direct revenue, but a website can also earn additional income for a business from online ad programs. Ad programs, such as Google AdSense, accrue money by cost generating links, search engines, or referral programs. Each program may generate money a bit differently, but generally the idea is a visitor clicks a link on the website, and money can be earned. Also, affiliate link programs, which are large online companies like eBay or Amazon, links visitors to their website, where they are prompted to make a purchase. Once a purchase is successfully completed, the referring website gets a percentage from the sale. Additionally, once a website has a large number of monthly visitors, other online businesses may be interested in paying for advertising space, and this form of income can be very prosperous.
 
Establishing a good rapport with customers is essential, in keeping a business alive and healthy. A website gives a business an easier way to connect with its customers, where a feeling of community may be felt. Innovative features, such as a forum, are open streams of communication where visitors can learn about products and services through other customer’s experiences. Newsletters can be sent out to include new product, or discounted product information.  And posting a fun interactive contest on a website where coupons can be won to use on a next purchase of products can inspire people to revisit your site and become a regular customer. And as your business grows and you have need of gathering information about your customers, surveys can really gain insight on their likes and dislikes, and a guest book is where visitors can sign up for newsletters and emails. Simple, open, and honest communication with customers is Digital Peabody’s specialty, and helping you create a site that will lead your business to understand your customer’s wants and needs in the present, and in the future.