Why Use the Internet?

If you are a small business owner or non-profit organization, you may be wondering if having a web site is worth all of the hype. However, in this day and age there are many reasons why establishing an web presence is important to a small business or non-profit organization. If you have a well-planned and effective website, often the benefits outweight all of the costs to create one.

Today consumers often use the World Wide Web in ways they never have before. Previously if a consumer wanted to purchase a product or service, they would look up information in the Yellow Pages. Now they perform an Internet search to find their options, so if they don't find your site...they won't consider your product or service.

The benefits of the Internet to businesses or non-profit organizations are:

• You can distribute information about your company or organization to many potential customers or members
• You can promote your products or services in other methods besides the traditional marketing ones
• You can provide support to your customers, potential customers, or interested members
• You can take orders for products or services, which can be done any time of day or night
• You can stay in contact with established customers, providing up to date information and promoting company loyalty
• It levels the playing field by allowing small businesses to compete with larger corporations more effectively

The benefits are not just limited to businesses or other organizations. Through the use of personal home pages, the Internet allows individuals to:

• Share information, news, and pictures to family out of state
  
• Show hobbies and interests, and hope others with the same hobbies and interests will visit your site
• Share knowledge of a subject and voice your beliefs about that subject

The International Data Corporation has done studies on Internet usage, and according to their data Internet users had tripled between 1997 and 2000. Of the current Internet users, 60 percent of these were new users since 1998. Internet usage has increased, and will probably continue to increase until it is a way of life...like fax machines and ATM's. If you want an web presence but are not sure where to start, then let KLB Web Solutions work with you on creating an affordable web solution.