And more importantly, why should we build it for you?

Within 10 years of designing websites we have seen a lot of things change.  Websites are more interactive,  page layouts are more standardized,  the compulsion to have a rainbow of colors has declined and the amount of animated cartoons are, thankfully, fewer and far between.  The world wide web has clearly evolved into more attractive and effective tool.

However, the real jaw dropper for us is the realization that there are many companies that still do not have any presence on the web. Regularly, we hear companies tell us that they don't need a website. Seriously, the web is here to stay,  so why not use it to their advantage?

Shhh...We will let you in on a dirty little secret.  Some companies actually do not need a website! We can think of the following examples of situations where a website would serve no purpose for a company.

• They are about to go out of business.
• They want to go out of business.
• They hate their business and want it to fail.
• They have sold hay exclusively to one sheep farmer for the past 100 years.
• They have more business than they know what to do with and this business stream will never stop, it is eternal in nature.
• They sell to Amish communities. 
• They are afraid of success.

Yes, this list is pretty silly!  We know this.  However, ALL of the reasons, with the exception of the hay grower, are excuses that we have encountered (just some do not realize they are using these reasons, very sad).  The past decade has been full of reasons why people do not want a website.   It would be refreshing if companies were honest enough to say these things point blank, but they continue to beat around the bush ...sigh.  
 
All joking aside, yes, there are some "Mom-N'-Pop" businesses that are not going to benefit from having a website. That's not the end of the world.  A good example would be "Mom-N'-Pop" type of convenience store.  A website just would not make much sense.

Although, take that "Mom-N'-Pop" store example and say that they add specialty foods to their store.  Then yes, a website should be a channel that they use to get the word out about the arrival(s) of new products for weekly or daily sales and specials. A great example would be Castellano & Pizzo here in Tampa,  Florida.  It is a wonderful place but do they have a  website?   Not that I know of, which is a real pity. They have a great butcher shop and a wonderful deli!  Sadly, if I have to go there to find out what is on sale or what is new, then I doubt that I will get in my car to make the trip when there's the possiblity that I will just be disappointed.

The point we try to make over and over again is that even a small business that looks like, on the surface, that a website would not  be a good investment are wrong. A website is not something that has to cost thousands of dollars and require hundreds of dollars a month in upkeep. On the contrary, a very serviceable website can be designed for a few hundred dollars and maintenence certainly should not run hundreds a month.

Look at the upside.  Take the above example.  Say I go to Castellano & Pizzo's website (they do not have one) and notice that T-bones are on sale this week for $5.99 a pound, I go and buy 2 pounds, while I am there I pick up some imported cheese and a few odds and ends.  Let's say 30 or 40 more people a month do the same thing.  How long will it take for the website to pay for itself ?  Not long at all. Then, while I am in the shop they ask me to sign up to receive an email that goes out monthly with upcoming specials and recipes with suggestions for meals in it.  How much return on investment do you think that they can they get out of that email?   A LOT!   It opens up a whole new world of possiblities!

All businesses have customers or clients. That is how they make money.   The way a business keeps those customers or clients is by building a relationship with them.  A website is a perfect way to let them know what is going on with you and what is new!   Communication is key to all businesses and the web is a great tool!  Send out emails from your company, not emails from AOL or Yahoo! with your name on it, but rather emails from YOU with YOUR company name.    It looks more professional and shows your customers that you are on top of the latest technologies. 

Sadly we have seen many businesses choose not to get a website for the #1 reason above,  "They are about to go out of business".  Unfortunately, most of them don't realize they are well on their way to going out of business at the time.

We are here to help you reach new customers/clients and maintain the ones that you already have. A website should not be something you have to take out a mortgage to pay for, but it certainly should be a portion of the foundation on which you build your business.  We can help!