Author: Dean Chu

Date: November 9, 2007

In an age of technology it boggles the mind that many Canadian businesses operates without websites. There are many reasons that explain why those businesses do not have websites, and the top reason is because they cannot see the benefits or justify the cost of owning websites. Some of these business owners fail to see the big picture and they often get trapped in their own thinking, in which they believe that they will never recoup the money spent on developing a website. Despite statistics showing that a majority of today's savvy consumers use the internet to research products and inform their purchasing decisions.

Furthermore, statistics have shown that 50% of new business ventures fail within the first year, and 90% of new business ventures fail within the first five years. I suspect that the main reason, which account for this staggering failure rate, is the lack advertising and marketing. In today's competitive marketplace, where very few companies truly possess monopolies on any products or services. The best way to stay ahead of the competition is to strategically and consistently promote your products and services to the masses.

There are many methods to promote your products and services, including, print ads, television commercials, radio spots, and internet marketing (website). All of these options can be expensive to implement and maintain. The marketing effect is always short live unless you advertise again the following period, and for small business owners it is an unrealistic expectation. The single option that remains for small businesses is to develop a professional and search engine optimized website. This option is most sensible, affordable and sustainable. The rest of this article will look at some benefits of having a professionally designed and search engine optimized website to sell and promote your company's products and services.

Virtual Storefront - Having a website is like having an online store which employees salespeople who sell 24 hours per day, zero ego, low maintenance and never complains. A website is an essential selling tool for any company wishing compete in any market. Your website is your virtual information centre, it provides your customers with your companies basic information such as location, pricing, business hours, products, services, current promotion and the mean of contacting you anytime of day. If your website is properly optimized for search engines it will drive traffic to your site and if well designed it will result in valid contacts and sales.

Widened Target Market - Having a website and promoting your company via the internet is the most affordable mean of building brand recognition and maintaining brand loyalty. Unlike other media for advertising the internet is the only one that will give you access to customers worldwide, without added cost. For example, anyone from anywhere in the world can access your website at a click of a mouse, but for them to see your advertisement in a printed publication they would need to have access to the magazine or newspaper publication.

Larger Market Share - If your business does not invest in advertising and marketing your market is limited by your geographical location. Your market share is determine by the amount of business you get from your immediate trading area. However, what you do not realize is that your "market share" is constantly shrinking, due to the competition being introduced by the internet. Therefore, it is imperative that you develop a marketing website to balance out the effect of the internet and to remain competitive on a global scale.

Effortlessly Communicate Marketing Initiatives - Updating your marketing strategy or announcing changes like personnel, products, services or change of address is relatively easy and affordable with websites. It is very expensive to achieve the same effect with product brochure, billboards, print ads, television or radio.

If you own a business and you do not have a website, you should seriously rethink your position. Not only will owning a website help your current clients when your company changes or grows, it will allow your online audience to learn about your great products and services, and possibly inspire them to do business with you. You need to think beyond the cost of the website and search engine optimization, because that website will generate income if it is properly designed and optimized for search engines.

Author Bio: Dean Chu a sales and marketing professional offering website design and web marketing consultation. This article is copyrighted and you may use this article free of charge provided you keep the about the author with link intact.