With
many Web development software packages and online services available, the
benefits of having a professionally developed Web site might not be all that
obvious. Initially, many small business owners opt to develop their site
in-house, using off-the-shelf software, only to discover later that building a successful
and profitable Web site requires time and specialized skill sets that
their organization does not have.
The Internet
is a powerful way of developing lasting sales opportunities for your business.
Opportunities you didn't think possible or could afford with the usual forms of
advertising. Your website will provide your business with the ability to reach
thousands of potential customers through this increasingly dominant marketing
channel. With more and more people switching online every day, the exposure
your business receives with a website is far greater than with conventional
forms of advertising. If you wish to be competitive in your market place and are asking the question ‘do I need a website?' you are already behind the competition. The question is no longer should I? A website is a must. With your own website your business will become a member global marketing medium, your website will showcase your business, it will provide you with a professional image, it can make a small business appear large and increase awareness of your businesses products and services.
Greater Flexibility - A professional developer can
analyze your business to make the most appropriate suggestions for your
business' specific needs. The developer can then implement matching solutions
using industry standard technologies.
Technical
Expertise - Even with the most robust, Professional Web Design
software packages available today, there is a tremendous learning curve
involved in developing a technically sound Web presence. A professional
developer will stay abreast of current technology trends to ensure that your
Web site loads quickly and is accessible across a wide range of platforms.
Time Savings
- Web development is very detail-oriented work that requires time resources
that might not be available to your small business or organization. Outsourcing
your Web development projects to a professional developer will allow you to
focus on what's most important to you - your business.
Integrated
Marketing - Too many small businesses fall victim to the "build
it and they will come" philosophy. A professional developer will integrate
proven marketing techniques into the Web development process to ensure that
sites receive targeted traffic and generate leads or sales.
Improved Aesthetics - A professional developer can
analyze your existing promotional materials and integrate these elements into a
coherent design for your business' Web presence. This allows for a more custom
marketing presence than can be obtained by using templates included with
off-the-shelf software packages or online services.
Using or not
using Flash on a website can cause major problems for the site. If you are
building a website that Flash is well-suited for, then not using Flash could
drive away readers. But building a site in Flash simply because you can affect
how your customers interact with your site, whether they find the site in
search engines, and how accessible and usable your site is.