Getting started with the Internet - what's right for your business?

Small retail businesses have to operate efficiently in order to be profitable. Competition for a share of the customer's mind (and pocketbook) has never been greater. Therefore every small business owner should consider the benefits of having their business on the Internet. The up front investment is low, the return on investment can be very impressive, and the natural 24 X 7 capabilities of the Internet let you reach new customers and give your existing customers another way to reach you.

Brochure/Catalog Websites

Many small companies take their first step on the Internet with a Brochure or Catalog site. As the name implies, these websites take the best elements of your business and present them on a website as an electronic brochure. These websites typically consist of just a few pages (main page, "about us", key products/services) and are designed to tell Internet users about your company and products.

Brochure/Catalog sites are straightforward to create and very inexpensive to purchase and maintain. More importantly, even a one-page site, with the proper appearance and promotion, can attract customers and drive business that you would otherwise never be aware of.

At West Michigan Webmasters, our perspective is that a Brochure website is rapidly becoming a business necessity. The generation now in their early 20's grew up with the Internet. They use it every day and trust it. It is their yellow pages, white pages, and directory assistance. If your business does not have a presence on the Internet, chances are you are losing business to competitors who do!

E-Commerce Websites

An E-Commerce website lets you do business on the Internet by offering a comprehensive product catalog, including descriptions, prices and related information. It includes a shopping cart, credit card processing and related functions necessary to process orders on your website.

An E-Commerce site lets your business sell products 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More importantly, your website is open for business even if your "brick and mortar" location is closed.