Surfing the web over the weekend it occured to me that often times when considering the purchase of a website or redesign businesses often overlook the fact that websites are an extension of their businesses online. It is good to consider the web in terms of the new frontier.  In some respects still uncharted new territory. However with increasing user participation on the world wide web businesses need to consider taking advantage of the opportunity to increase not only business in terms of sales online, but also their presence online, in other words visibility. The web is often referred to as the information super highway. However, if you knew that your billboard online would potentially be viewed by billions of consumers online, would you hide it? Or perhaps, diminsh its potentail value by not promoting its full potential?

Today I’d like to share a few important areas to be considered when taking your

business online

. First, is to look at your website as your business card online, it should say who you are , what you do, and how to reach you right up front. Second, the design elements should be consistent with your product, image and values. Lets take products for example, lets suppose for a moment that your business is fine steak house restaurant. Of course you want everyone to know that the quality of your steak house is bar none. How would you present that idea? Wouldn’t the best way to do so be a mouth watering display of the finest steaks you offer be most appealing. I use this example because i’ve heard it said some would put the picture of a live cow on their site. The point is display your finished product in the best enviroment possible.

Second is this,

building your business online

is the same as having a brick and mortar store. You need a good location, you need to advertise and you need to be accessible to your clients during the most meaningful part of the day. Your location online can be likened to choosing an appropriate URL or domain name. Advertising is just what your thinking it needs to shout hey everyone here I am. However, thats much more difficult than you might imagine. You’ll need a combination of platforms, you should be in every directory you can find (caution here a few at a time, its an ongoing process), you should be found on adwords type campaigns ( that are optimized for traffic at realitively low cost, too many businesses over spend with little or no results) and third there are many trade sites that can provide free or low cost ads to attract targeted buyers for your business.

Most of all remember that building a business online takes time and you will get out of it what you put into it. Take a realistic approach, don’t skimp on your website, and advertise, advertise, advertise.

Do you need help taking your business online? Do have an existing website needing fresh redesign? Are you looking for a company to provide you expertise in a search marketing campaign. Give Apples 2 Apples a call today! (970) 901-0062 We love to talk and a free consultation won’t cost you a thing!

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