Do I need a website?

That is the first question to ask yourself.

Depending on your trade, profession or business the answer might be obvious. For example, a beef farmer selling directly to a factory or mart is unlikely to gain any benefit from a web presence. On the other hand, a business such as my own would certainly attract custom via a website.

The question could be rephrased, do I need to advertise? In the case of the beef farmer, no – the dynamic of the market is such that the seller is locked into a small number of existing buyers. In the case of myself, a resounding yes – a buyer seeks out a seller and the automatic choice of search is the Internet.

For others the answer may require some thought. The question could be expanded to do I need to advertise in this way? A builder specialising in one-off houses might say no. Their name is on emblazoned across their vehicles, equipment and work wear; their sign is positioned prominently at the entrance to the current sites; they are listed in the Goldenpages; they get a lot of work by word-of-mouth.

But in recessionary times like these that builder may not have any work in progress and consequently their signage is not visible in public. Their advertising is then restricted to word-of-mouth and directories such as the Goldenpages. Both play a role, as does traditional advertising in local or national publications.

However, where do we, the public, look first these days when in need of a service? The Internet. We use a search engine (e.g. Google or Yahoo!). Therefore the builder in question would be well advised to have a presence on the Internet – at a minimum a listing in an Internet directory or better, a dedicated website.

Let me end by stressing that should you contact Glic I.T. to discuss a website and we feel it would be a needless expense you will be advised of that. Our policy is to provide the service you need not sell you one you don’t.