Business and the World Wide Web . . .
The Internet is growing at a phenomenal rate, and is being used more and more for commercial publicity, advertising and sales. Total web-generated revenues at commercial websites have been estimates to be over $24 Billion for 1997. Projections show this may expand to $100 Billion in 1998, and swell to $1 Trillion by the year 2001. A 1997 Nielsen Internet demographics study shows that 73 percent of WWW users search for information about products and services. Benefits of Internet sales include round-the-clock access, global reach, and relatively low operating costs. Using a website for publicity or public relations can be more cost effective than traditional print advertising. When coupled with an electronic newsletter or email list, a website can be even more effective.
Should your business or organization be on the web?Well, maybe. Yes, the opportunities of web commerce are great, but don't necessarily believe all the hype you hear about how much you'll make on the web. It depends on many factors. While a website *can* be a tremendous benefit to you, many commercial sites in fact lose money. This can often be due to a website that does not appeal to your customers (or one which they cannot even find!) and on which far too much money has been spent.
The needs of a business or professional organization differ from those of a personal web page. Few businesses can afford to turn away potential customers, yet a poorly designed website can do just that. That beautiful spinning logo may seem like a great idea at first, but how many people leave the site annoyed with the long loading time? Not everyone has a high speed network connection or the very latest browser software. Some websites can look fine on certain computers with certain software, but very poor on others. Proper design should minimize such problems. We try to design websites that are appealing yet relatively fast loading on most systems and software.
Experience where it counts . . .Not only are we highly experienced with computers, but we have literally decades of experience with page layout, artistic design, and small business operations and management. We have used the web effectively in our other businesses over the years. One of our sites was one of the first profitable commercial websites on the Internet. We understand your business needs and can help you work to attain your goals. We also handle email list creation, traditional hardcopy brochure, flyer and newsletter design, and conference and tradeshow exhibit design.
Global commerce . . .
The World Wide Web could open your business to new opportunites around the world. The website of one of our clients, a local jewelry store, has been accessed from over fifty countries. It may surprise you from where your next order may come. The cosmonauts aboard the Russian space station Mir did their Christmas shopping from orbit this year over the Internet!
Please feel free to examine some of the websites we've created. If you'd like to talk with us further about your needs and what we can do for you, contact us for a free consultation. Quality website creation need not be excessively expensive. Depending on your needs, we may be able to set up a simple website for you for two or three hundred dollars, including your first six months of website hosting. If you're unsure of the benefits of the web to your business or organization, this is a good way to try it out without risking a large amount of money. We'll be happy to talk with you further and get your web-presence on its way.
This website and its contents © 1997 MacLaren & Bengtson Associates. All Rights Reserved.