New web sites are being added to the World Wide Web (WWW) just about every second of the day. Access to personal pages through online services, the drop in prices of web site hosting services, and the ease at which a simple site can be made have all led to the current, web page packed info superhighway. But when do you need a web page? Will it help your business, or is it just fluff? In this article, I’ll explain when the web is right for you, what it can do for business, and how to start setting up on the web.
When is it right for you?
Ask yourself the following questions about why you want to use the WWW as a medium for business:
Who do I want to reach?
What do I want to say?
What do you want to spend?
Understand that the web is not local, regional, or even national, but global. Someone in Japan could potentially be buying your vitamins, or that hand-knitted sweater. Consider that tailoring a web for a region may limit your chances for business. If you are specifically local (a house painter) then you may not need the web, or need to focus on catching your area of the world. I don’t want to blur this point – the web can help anyone’s business. Since, a web site can be seen all over the world, its impact can be enormous for someone trying to get a message out (for example, my product is the best). As a means to advertise, compare the cost of a web site to the cost of traditional advertising. If you feel that enough business will come from the web, then it is worth a shot. I know this point may sound obvious, but so many people have wasted money and time into ineffective sites that it is worth my stating.
What you want to say
The content of the web site should be the most important part. Do not worry about how it will be presented but focus on what exactly you want people to learn by signing on to your site. Again, so many sites out there try to be creative and end up overwhelming. Be direct and to the point as you would in a conversation. Remember the expression "KISS" – Keep It Simple Stupid. Do not try to wow the visitors with flashy graphics or stylish music that usually drags the time to load the page and seems (without mixing words) cheesy. There are some good sites out there that handle music and visuals well, so don’t think I am hard on those types of content. But be aware of the way information should be presented. Take for example a department store. The music in the background is usually fitting to the theme of the store but is never blaring and distracting. The designers of the store realize that a certain atmosphere is best for the majority of customers, and they go with it. Transfer that theory to the web site.
Also, give the visitor something for nothing. I don’t mean give away free prizes but have part of your site as a resource of information. Do not just sell, sell, sell. For example, if we continue with the vitamin distributor, maybe some health related articles would be valuable to visitors (potential customers). These articles should not have an angle to sell your product but be there to inform the people who come to your site. The idea is twofold: first, the visitor will not feel overpowered by the message to buy the product which will in turn make them more comfortable on the site, and secondly, the visitor will stay longer to read the articles which in turn will lengthen the possibility of a purchase. Most sites that sell some product or service (especially the ones that make money) offer content of this kind. Simply put, model what works.
The price of getting on the web is ridiculously cheap (I say ridiculous, because it can realistically be less than $30 a month). Time is more of a factor, since managing your own site can take a significant investment of time for learning how to make the site, for updating content, and marketing the site.
What it can do for you
One of the most powerful aspects of the Internet is the ability to exchange information at virtually any time of the day. Here are some ways to exploit this power:
You can also develop a web site that mimics a message board, so members of the downline can exchange information about a topic, share experiences and testimonials, or discuss the next meeting.
Chat rooms are the rage. Wouldn’t it be powerful to have your next conference call as a conference chat? Phone bills would stay low and there are some fancy things you can do in a chat room. Ever have background noise on a conference call? That can be eliminated in a chat room. Ever have problems logging what was said? Not in a chat room.
Want to attract new prospects 24-hours a day? Set up an information page where visitors can learn about your opportunity. Make it with an interactive form, so that they can leave their contact information for a personal call from you to sign them up.
Selling a service? Use the web as a way to tell the public what you are doing and how it can be done for them. Use the Internet as a bulletin board to advertise your service. Give examples of your work right online.
Exchange information. I know an accountant who does taxes for people by having them email a file from their personal finance program (Quicken or MS Money), and she posts their tax forms on a password-protected page. Other professionals use the Internet (or a closed Intranet) to display new information quickly to co-workers, clients, and to other professionals.
The truth is that the power of the World Wide Web is limited only by imagination.
Are you computer savvy? Do you understand any bit of programming, or have an ability to figure out new software from a manual?
Do you have an extra few hours a week to dedicate to learning HTML, or a program designed to build a site?
Basically, using an HTML editor or WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) program is the way to make the pages that you see when you sign on the Internet. Some are fairly easy to use for basic pages, while others get technical and require some degree of programming. If you feel comfortable using a manual to learn new software, check out a web page maker. Also, there are many web hosting companies (which sell space on their server to "host" web sites) that are set up to accommodate users.
I could never begin to explain how to set up a page, but there are many resources on the Internet to help with design, with HTML and other programming languages, and a slew of shareware and freeware products to try to help in the process. If you are really interested, email me, and I’ll give some recommendations on how to get started. And soon, I’ll see you on the ‘net.
When is it right for you?
Ask yourself the following questions about why you want to use the WWW as a medium for business:
Who do I want to reach?
What do I want to say?
What do you want to spend?
Understand that the web is not local, regional, or even national, but global. Someone in Japan could potentially be buying your vitamins, or that hand-knitted sweater. Consider that tailoring a web for a region may limit your chances for business. If you are specifically local (a house painter) then you may not need the web, or need to focus on catching your area of the world. I don’t want to blur this point – the web can help anyone’s business. Since, a web site can be seen all over the world, its impact can be enormous for someone trying to get a message out (for example, my product is the best). As a means to advertise, compare the cost of a web site to the cost of traditional advertising. If you feel that enough business will come from the web, then it is worth a shot. I know this point may sound obvious, but so many people have wasted money and time into ineffective sites that it is worth my stating.
What you want to say
The content of the web site should be the most important part. Do not worry about how it will be presented but focus on what exactly you want people to learn by signing on to your site. Again, so many sites out there try to be creative and end up overwhelming. Be direct and to the point as you would in a conversation. Remember the expression "KISS" – Keep It Simple Stupid. Do not try to wow the visitors with flashy graphics or stylish music that usually drags the time to load the page and seems (without mixing words) cheesy. There are some good sites out there that handle music and visuals well, so don’t think I am hard on those types of content. But be aware of the way information should be presented. Take for example a department store. The music in the background is usually fitting to the theme of the store but is never blaring and distracting. The designers of the store realize that a certain atmosphere is best for the majority of customers, and they go with it. Transfer that theory to the web site.
Also, give the visitor something for nothing. I don’t mean give away free prizes but have part of your site as a resource of information. Do not just sell, sell, sell. For example, if we continue with the vitamin distributor, maybe some health related articles would be valuable to visitors (potential customers). These articles should not have an angle to sell your product but be there to inform the people who come to your site. The idea is twofold: first, the visitor will not feel overpowered by the message to buy the product which will in turn make them more comfortable on the site, and secondly, the visitor will stay longer to read the articles which in turn will lengthen the possibility of a purchase. Most sites that sell some product or service (especially the ones that make money) offer content of this kind. Simply put, model what works.
The price of getting on the web is ridiculously cheap (I say ridiculous, because it can realistically be less than $30 a month). Time is more of a factor, since managing your own site can take a significant investment of time for learning how to make the site, for updating content, and marketing the site.
What it can do for you
One of the most powerful aspects of the Internet is the ability to exchange information at virtually any time of the day. Here are some ways to exploit this power:
For Network Marketers:
Ever use a fax-on-demand system? This can be costly for your downline, since it may mean long distance calls, or simply waste time in receiving that 20 page newsletter. A web page set up to replace a fax system can be just the ticket. Imagine your downline just loading their Netscape Navigator and viewing a new article on "How to Attract the Next Prospect."You can also develop a web site that mimics a message board, so members of the downline can exchange information about a topic, share experiences and testimonials, or discuss the next meeting.
Chat rooms are the rage. Wouldn’t it be powerful to have your next conference call as a conference chat? Phone bills would stay low and there are some fancy things you can do in a chat room. Ever have background noise on a conference call? That can be eliminated in a chat room. Ever have problems logging what was said? Not in a chat room.
Want to attract new prospects 24-hours a day? Set up an information page where visitors can learn about your opportunity. Make it with an interactive form, so that they can leave their contact information for a personal call from you to sign them up.
For home business professionals:
Selling a product? Make an online catalog of merchandise. When it takes off, take it a step further and add automatic credit card transactions. It is secure and fast!Selling a service? Use the web as a way to tell the public what you are doing and how it can be done for them. Use the Internet as a bulletin board to advertise your service. Give examples of your work right online.
Exchange information. I know an accountant who does taxes for people by having them email a file from their personal finance program (Quicken or MS Money), and she posts their tax forms on a password-protected page. Other professionals use the Internet (or a closed Intranet) to display new information quickly to co-workers, clients, and to other professionals.
The truth is that the power of the World Wide Web is limited only by imagination.
How to make THE web site
I won’t mix words – making a web site takes time and resources. There are a few things that need to be weighed out before deciding if you can do it yourself, or need professional help:Are you computer savvy? Do you understand any bit of programming, or have an ability to figure out new software from a manual?
Do you have an extra few hours a week to dedicate to learning HTML, or a program designed to build a site?
Basically, using an HTML editor or WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) program is the way to make the pages that you see when you sign on the Internet. Some are fairly easy to use for basic pages, while others get technical and require some degree of programming. If you feel comfortable using a manual to learn new software, check out a web page maker. Also, there are many web hosting companies (which sell space on their server to "host" web sites) that are set up to accommodate users.
I could never begin to explain how to set up a page, but there are many resources on the Internet to help with design, with HTML and other programming languages, and a slew of shareware and freeware products to try to help in the process. If you are really interested, email me, and I’ll give some recommendations on how to get started. And soon, I’ll see you on the ‘net.
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