Articles

In today’s economy everyone is concerned with the dreaded S word…Spending!

It is a known fact that the first budgets that are cut are usually within a company’s marketing department.

The company will generally scale back or completely cut their advertising budget. This, however, is a double edged sword. Funding needs to be cut somewhere to make ends meet but how can you continue to grow and generate more income if you are not getting your name and brand out to the public? There will always be someone that will need your services and there will always be competitors there to grab them if you don’t grab them first. This is where a website comes in handy. A website is a cost-effective way to have a 24/7 advertisement for the company.

As of December of 2008 there were 222,723,436 internet users in the U.S. alone. The population in the U.S. as of that date was 304,228,257. The numbers prove to you that the majority of the people in the United States are using the internet. As we have seen in the news, many publications are shying away from print and re-launching their brand as an on-line magazine. The newspapers in many communities are going to continue to use their online portal, but not print the daily paper any longer. This is due to a greater cost associated with print, but it is also indicative of the future with regard to how we will continue to get information. In order to read the actual paper everyday, you have to pay a fee, to read the information on the internet, it is free. One thing we have all noticed is all of the YellowBooks that sit by mailboxes or doorsteps for days. When we get our yearly version of the book, (which seems to come several times a year) we put ours directly into the recycling bin. We simply do not have room for that book, nor do we take the time to skim through it to look for information. We have found an easier and quicker way to gather information-the internet.

Today, there are still many companies that do not have a web presence. The companies with websites, though, tend to stand out because they look more professional and less “fly by night.” Just like in real estate, many people are visual by nature so giving them something to associate with your company is helpful when making a decision to use your services. A well designed website adds value to your company and your brand. With all of your information available at the click of a mouse it makes it convenient and easy for people to find you. For many, convenience is a big driving force behind making decisions. Communication is the key to success and your company website is the best form of communication with your customers.

By: Jennifer Tyler, Vice President