A web site can be used to build a relationship with your customers.
Your web site will give you the opportunity to tell prospective customers all of the things about your business that you just can't say while they are at the cash register.This can be done using:
- Direct (email) access - for questions about services or products
- Mission statements - let your customers know what you'd like to accomplish through your business
- Products - use images on your site of your inventory
- Pricing - allow your customers to make their decisions before they enter the establishment
- Specials - alert them of upcoming sales and events
- Feedback forms - ask how your customers like your business. Show them that their opinion counts. Gather demographics.
- Contests - say "thank you" by providing events for your customer's to participate in
- Coupons - take slow moving stock or services and offer discounts to your internet customers
- Articles relating to your services - show reasons why prospective customers "need" your services/products.
Use your imagination....the possibilities are numerous.
What CAN'T I expect from a web site?
A web site cannot be your only form of advertisement.
In the movie "Field of Dreams" it was said "build it - and they will come." This is not true for a web site. Your site should compliment your existing advertising.Simply having a web site in no way guarantees that you're business will become a success. Utilizing the internet to expand upon your advertising may greatly enhance sales. Do not spend your entire marketing budget on your site. The most successful businesses who utilize the internet, treat their web site as an additional marketing investment, as they would a television/radio or newspaper ad.
What makes being on the WWW different than the other avenues is that production changes are more cost effective, and also because the internet is interactive, this gives potential customers a chance to get to know your business in the way that they want to and on their terms.