All Grown Up: Why Your Small Business Needs a Web Solution Not a Website

If your small business does not have a web site, you are probably losing more customers than you realize. And if your small business has a web site that was designed by "a friend" you may be doing more harm than good to the reputation of your company.

A well-designed small business web site should:

• look good,
• be easy to navigate, and
• be designed to be easily found in the search engines.

To create an effective web presence requires a solutions-based approach with clear ideas about what you want to accomplish and who the audience is you are targeting.

The right elements have to be present; a well orchestrated website design with

• cohesive branding
• solid technical acumen
• clearly defined objectives for the organization
• reliable small business web hosting services
• some method of marketing your site and tracking the results.

The Elements of a Web Solution

• Domain names – You have to choose the right

• Website Design & Development Services – Find the right provider for the service...
  

• E-mail Management – E-mail is a key communication tool for your business.

• Social Media – Social media such as blogging, Podcasting and other web 2.0 tools can greatly enhance customer communications.

• Small Business Website Hosting Services – It is best to stay away from budget hosting companies. Look for a managed hosting provider who can help you select the right plan for your web solution goals.

• E-Commerce – You should be sure whether you can sell on your site or not..

• Website Marketing – What directories should you list your site in? Search engine marketing has evolved to be a complex specialty. It’s critical that you understand the tools available for driving traffic to your site and if needed, know how to evaluate and engage a web marketing specialist.

• Website Analytics and Conversion – What kind of reporting will you use to track site visitors? What do you need to know and do to convert your visitors into action-takers?