I am frequently asked, “Why do I need to get on the Internet” and I often answer because you should and you are already too late. I gave a three-part seminar on “Doing Business on the Internet” and one of my slides was “10 reasons I thought more Important”. As I prepared to write for this article I thought it would be appropriate to reprint the reasons because they still are good. I have updated each reason because the Internet has changed and continues to evolve.1 – Identity

Let people know your name, who you are, where you are and what you do. The information superhighway has no geographical limit. It is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. If you are not there, potential customers may not know that you even exist. Acquiring a domain name(s) is very important and it is a must for anyone contemplating doing business on the Internet. Getting your DOT com is very inexpensive and there are a number of reputable companies offering inexpensive domain name registration.

2 – Product and Service Information

Exposure is the key, and information is a powerful marketing tool. Educate the public with detailed information about why and how they can benefit from using your products and services. Remember, content is the key. Provide a site visitor a clear definition of why he/she should buy your product or service. Fill the need and they will buy.

3 – Search Directories

Internet surfers often use search directories to access information by locations, topics or keywords . . . How can you get listed in the directories to be accessible by the public when you don’t even have a web page? You have a “link” or a listing on another website. Just having an address on someone’s website will not get you found unless the visitor goes to the address of the hosting company and proceeds to navigate the website in search of a product or service that might be yours.

4 – Broader Customer Base

Your Internet presence exposes you to greater numbers of potential customers, whether you want it to be local, regional, nationwide or worldwide. This is the real value of the Internet. It offers new markets and opportunities.

5 – Point of Contact

Use your web site as a storefront where potential customers can enter and find answers. Here you provide names, numbers, addresses and directions to allow people to get in touch with you. Make sure if you have an existing website, you put all of the point-of-contact information on every page. People print web pages they find interesting or useful.

6 – Valuable Input

Your web site can allow quick feedback from customers. Comments and suggestions are valuable input to improve your business and customer relations. New web designs offer easy to install auto-reply forms and “Thank You for visiting” replies.

7 – Greater Image

Greatly improve your professional image with your domain name (www.yourname.com) printed on your business cards, stationery and advertising material. Tell people that you really mean business. The traditional methods of advertising are still very important and I have learned the Internet CANNOT be used by itself and be successful.

8 – Flexible Tool

Once your business is online, you can use your web site creatively as a flexible marketing tool. The only limit is your imagination. You can add and expand your site to perform any additional task as you grow in the future. New web tools allow you to make website changes and eliminate the cost of having another person do for you. Many of our clients make their own changes. If you want to be creative at 2 o’clock in the morning, let the fun begin. Ask your hosting company if you can make the changes yourself, if not; consider moving your site to an hosting company that allows you to make your changes. (most hosting companies offer “content manager” type options that allow you to control your content).

9 – Low-cost Investment

Your web site is truly low-cost advertising. It is a marketing tool you can use again and again for years. Please compare the contents and the cost of your web site with advertisements on newspapers and magazines monthly, quarterly and yearly. Web sites do not have to be expense and I tell people “grow your web site” as you learn what is happening on the site and the questions you are getting. The only other cost is the month hosting fee (the monthly fee will vary but make sure you REALLY check the hosting company’s reputation and up-time).

10 – Why Not?

Today you see web site addresses shown everywhere on all kinds of media. Many businesses now have web sites, and web sites are here to stay. In fact, it’s very noticeable for you not to have a web site even if you only display one page: Name of company, address, telephone and fax numbers, E-mail address and a short description of your product or service.

For those who do not own a web site, don’t wait. Act Now!

Chuck St. Arnaud is the Chariman & CEO of a the oldest and largest ISP in Coastal Georgia. A frequent writer and speaker on the Internet, he is considered a local asset when it comes to understanding the potential of using the Internet. Chuck is also an adjunct professor of Marketing at a local university. Visit his blog at http://www.sysconn.com