Why Do You Need a Website?

The first question I ask every new client is "Why? Why do you think you need a website?"

When making the business case for spending money, in any arena, or pursing a new market, the first question we ask ourselves as business owners is (or should be) "Why". To often the answer we return with is, "because someone else is doing it" and when it comes to developing your online visibility, that is too often the case.

Why do you need a website?

Recently, I asked this question of a new client and he was caught off guard. It wasn't a question that he had considered. But after a few moments of intensive thought, he responded with a well-reasoned, thoughtful response. At that point, he began to consider how visitors would become engaged in the site, what message would be delivered, and how he and his partner would use the website as a sales tool. He began to visualize what the site would look like and how clients would navigate the site, the information that would be included in the site, and how it would be constructed.

Stephen Covey said it best when he said "Start with the end in mind."

Not every business type needs a website. It's true. How often do you Google gas stations in your area, visit their websites, and then make decisions on whether to pump gas at Jimmy's Gas Shack or Cordova's Feed & Fuel? While a web presence is critical, even for gas stations, websites are not necessarily the answer to increasing business, profits and growing the customer base. In the case of gas station, a highly concentrated effort for listings in Location Based Social Networks is a more worthwhile investment as opposed to building out a website with amazing Flash videos of tires being aired up.

While website designers are a dime a dozen, a great website developer is worth his/her weight in gold. They are less interested in creating a cool looking website, and will instead work with you to develop a conduit to successfully achieve your business goals. In order to do so, we will always ask you the question:

Why do you need a website?

Eric Tompkins
iDesign Web Solutions