Do You Even Need A Website?
The short answer to the title question is, of course, no. No business absolutely needs a website. The mom and pop corner store certainly doesn’t need one. Unless they’re selling something that distinguishes them from all the other mom and pop shops. The local pub doesn’t need one. Unless they’ve decided to allow locals to order food online.
Generally speaking, no business absolutely has to have to a website. Although, if you want to expand your customer base and make it as widely geographically-based as possible, having a website is probably the right thing to do. But just creating a website does not guarantee that anyone will visit. I’m surprised at the number of friends and clients that tell me, “Well, I built a website but I don’t seem to be getting any traffic.”
The fact is, unless you are offering something on your website that someone else wants, you’ll probably never have any traffic. So the question is, what is it that you have, that you can offer? Selling your products is not enough. What do you sell? Who are your products for? Why would they use them?
If you can answer some of these questions, in the form of articles, then you have the basic requisite condition needed to eventually gain web traffic. It’s your expertise about one or more topics that is valuable. You can give objects away or charge for them, but knowledge is priceless. Giving away knowledge is a key step in building your website into a resource that someone will turn to. This does not mean that you cannot also sell information, but you have to give something to get something.
So ask yourself: what am I planning to sell on the Internet? Can I write intelligently about related topics? Do I have enough expertise to not only give away information but maybe even to sell information? Do I want to be writing articles? Can I afford to hire someone else to write these articles?
It’s arguable, but I’m guessing that the most lucrative websites on the Internet are probably selling nothing more than information. Information is the currency of the Internet. If you have information you can share or sell on the Internet, you might want to consider a website. If you in-demand products that you think you can sell online, you might want to consider a website.
If you plan to have a website, but are just getting started with an online business, then this website articles will guide you in the process.
Technorati Tags: itsmybizniz, its my bizniz, websites, online business
2 Comments to “Do You Even Need A Website?”
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Raj Dash - Internet UltraGeek
Short answer: yes. I'm doing it. So are others. The hard part is, it takes time. I took me nearly a year because I didn't know about real opportunities. So, in the spirit of this site, I'll teach you what I know + what I learn along the way. For free. No tricks. But if you're not serious, find something else to do. Because patience and knowledge makes a difference. Note: This is not another "internet marketing" site. It's about actual opportunities, what they are, and how to find them. Yes, marketing yourself online will be a part of the process, but it's not about selling software to people to teach them to sell software. Get my meaning?
Terinea
October 30th, 2006 at 7:36 am
I completely agree with your post. My cousin runs a bar in Spain to get a web site. Not just to sell his t-shirts, but because the bar has great local buzz and I think it would work online too.
Terinea Tech Tips » 50 Simple IT Ideas For Increasing Your Business Competitiveness & Productivity
November 16th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
[…] Okay businesses that use the web for a large percentage of communication to customers, but the site was either designed in the 1990’s or has dated feel. When personally I see a dated or home made web site I usually assume (rightly or wrongly) that the business behind it isn’t very professional and would typically choose another business web site. It doesn’t need to be all singing and dancing web site, infact today a lot of these web sites look dated. Keeping it simple and functional will mean your site will date less quickly and customers will find what they want quicker Check out http://www.oswd.com for free and professional looking web templates.Also see “Do You Even Need A Website? […]