Having an online presence: top 10 reasons

Reason #10: You have more credibility by having an Internet presence in today’s age.
A business without a phone number or a physical address can seem shady. It’s slowly becoming accepted that a business must also have a website and an email address.
Reason #9: Your website is on 24-7
Your website works for you 24-7 with no labor costs. Your website markets your business for you while you sleep.
Reason #8: Potential customers can find your business online.
Not too long ago, customers looking for your product or service would have to look you up on the Yellow Pages. Today, with the Internet, the same customers will just search for your product or service on search engines like Google or Yahoo search. By not having a website, you are losing out on those customers
Reason #7: Marketing on the Internet is much more cost effective than traditional marketing methods.
Putting ads on the newspaper, making flyers, and television spots can be very expensive. Fortunately marketing on the Internet isn’t and can be done on a budget.
Reason #6: You can very accurately track the traffic on your website.
Using analytical tools, you can find out exactly how many visitors come through, how long they spend on your website, and which pages they are reading. Can you say the same about your print ads, flyers, and tv spots?
Reason #5: A website increases the geographic range of your business.
If you are a small business, you rely on foot-traffic and referrals for your business. By leveraging the Internet, potential customers not within your immediate geographic area can also find your business.
Reason #4: It’s easy and cheap to change company information and marketing material on your website.
You know how costly it can be to have to change product information or prices on all your catalogs, brochures, and marketing material. It’s much cheaper, easier, and faster to change all this information online.
Reason #3: Customer service can be handled on the website.
How many times do you hear the same questions over and over from different customers? As with any business, most customers have the same set of questions and concerns. By having an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) online, you can reduce customer service costs and save yourself time and money. You can provide more information than cannot be covered on a business card or flyer.
Reason #2: A website conveniences your customer.
Your customer can peruse your website at their own leisure. There’s no pressure to buy nor do they have to drive over to your place of business to find out about your offering.
Reason #1: A website address is easier to remember than a phone number.
The web address or URL (universal resource locator) of your website is most likely going to be infinitely easier to remember than the physical address of your business or your office phone number. That alone is reason enough to have a website.