The benefits to your business by trading online as with many things depends on the extent to which you embrace the technology, and the nature of your business! The features available are extensive and whilst it is beneficial to make the most of them, it can also be wise to take a staged approach, starting with an information based website and aiming towards trading online. It is definately not a case of all or nothing!
Improving business communication
You may be using email both internally and externally to communicate with customers and suppliers, but this is not the only or necessarily the best online communication method for your business.
Offering your customers and suppliers the option of contacting you directly through your web site, or incorporate additional features to allow communication through the use of forums or client only areas of your web site can drastically improve the level of service you offer customers and suppliers whilst increasing efficiency and reducing overheads.
The ways in which you can communicate are increasing through social networking like Twitter and Facebook as well as technology such as VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol).
Once again choosing the correct combination is critical for making your business efficient and providing a high level of support which customers are becoming to expect.
Your shop window to the world
Your business can harness the internet to promote your business to potential clients and customers anywhere, anytime. With even the simplest Web Design all your customer needs is your web site address (domain name), whether from printed literature such as business card, adverts, letterheads or from online marketing through emails, search engines and other web sites.
A web site offers a cost effective and convenient means of keeping your existing customer base informed of the latest developments within your business, including promotions, new products, even change of address. And all this can be achieved without throwing old literature out and ordering new from the printers, not to mention the mailing of this new literature to your customers.
Depending on the nature of your business it is even possible to move your marketing investment from traditional means to a complete online campaign maximising the internet as a marketing channel.
But don't think your web sites only purpose to talk about your business, your web site can gather contact details of leads along with other information about your visitors, your site can also act as first line support to existing customers reducing the inpact on phone calls and emails. Your site can also sell products directly becoming a virtual shop window allowing you to trade locally, nationally and even internationally should you wish. These factors combined enable you to compete on much more equal terms with larger companies.
Establish your businesses presence on the internet
- Your web site becomes your shop window or reception to the virtual world of the internet.
- Effectively promote your businesses most up to date information to new and existing customers.
- Updates are made available to everyone instantly, with little or no cost (no print or postage costs).
- No wastage of redundant printed promotional material.
- Potential customers and existing customers can help themselves to information; anytime, anywhere, as frequently as they wish - making them more likely to do so.
Market your business online
- Continue your brand identity throughout your online and offline material, giving you great coverage.
- Promote all your services and products, as they come out or even in advance.
- Collect valuable e-mail addresses and other information through your website
- Implement techniques to gather market research either by obvious questionaires or covertly through web site tracking
- Promotion through targeted direct e-mail campaigns
- Provide personalised service to build customer relations
- Gather targeted prospects
E-Commerce - Open all hours
The variety of products and services available online and the convenience of ordering online has resulted in more and more people now buy on the internet.
- Your business is open all hours without the increased overheads of staff and running costs
- Reduced transaction costs through online orders and, ultimately, payment
- Optional supply chain integration, streamlining your business
To maximise any investment it is advised to involve a company such as Living Websites to work with you from the beginning to develop an internet strategy. Although this may be seen as additional costs, a company who can provide a wealth of knowledge and experience will increase the return on your investment whilst potentially even reducing the initial expenditure by producing a tailored strategy to your budget. As your business develops the strategy will develop alongside but it is critical to continual assess your internet strategy to ensure the objectives are being reached and that targets are achieved.
