Diane Gere Associates
Why Have a Website?
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 Why Have a Web Site?


Some business owners perceive commercial Web sites as only marketing tools. While a Web site can be valuable to a comprehensive marketing strategy, this medium allows creative approaches to other company needs, such as communication and training. As a new Web site owner, you might test the waters with an inexpensive Basic Design package by Diane Gere Associates (DGA). Let your clients, vendors, and subcontractors know about your new presence on-line, and then decide later if you wish to extend your site to include additional functions, such as some of those described below.

Advertising Products and Services:
• A Web site is hard to beat if potential customers may be searching nationwide for your particular product or service. For example, they may enter key words in a search engine like Google to find your antique whatzits or your ability to repair harmonicas!
• A Web site is helpful if potential clients in your locale wish to know more about your law firm to see if your experience is a good match for their needs.
Displaying Contact Information:
• A Web site is preferred over a phone book, since you can supply complete contact data for each employee: name, nickname, address, phone, extension, fax, email (with a link that pops up a message window), office hours, personal background descriptions, areas of expertise, and even photos.
Educating the Public:
• A Web site is an underused but important opportunity, because you can help the public understand your product or service. A professional cake decorator can spell out the process used in working with brides; a florist may list and display seasonal flowers; and a civil engineer may suggest high school courses, vacation work experiences, volunteer activities, and colleges that would prepare a young man or woman for the field.
Having a Presence:
• A Web site is very "today!" You may remember when it was modern to have a "princess" phone, hip to have a computer, advanced to have a fax machine. If you have been asked more than twice if you have a Web site, maybe that is a message from your public.
Providing Paperwork & Documents:
• A Web site is convenient for posting order forms, applications, feedback questionnaires, and customer profile surveys.

Enhancing Your Public Image:
• A Web site is classy or dramatic, patriotic or nature-oriented, no-nonsence or whimsical. A Web design motif helps to make a statement about your business. Steve Tondi of the Associated General Contractors of the Quad Cities requested a red, white, and blue design to match his logo and to be mindful of the flag, which is important to him. Artist Lisa Mahar wishes her site (under construction) to be fun— like her painted furniture artworks—and to be a virtual gallery of her work. For myself, I prefer a letterhead effect with ample text to provide information needed by potential clients..
• A Web site is refreshing for featuring your employees' good works in their community volunteer efforts.
• A Web site is effective for including testimonials from satisfied customers.
Sharing Works in Progress:
• A Web site is convenient for sharing with a client your progress on their project or for seeking feedback on a set of plans. The Web site area can be protected so that only those involved in the project can see the particular documents.
Training Your Staff or Subcontractors:
• A Web site is always available as a training medium. For example, if your subcontractors must comply with your safety procedures, they could prepare themselves by studying on-line at their own facilities. Your staff could be given time to study on-line at work or home. Your custom-designed on-line training can include links to pertinent OSHA, EPA, or DOT regulations and guidance information, so that the training includes the latest versions of the regs.
Informing About Human Resources Policies and Procedures:
• A Web site is helpful for posting position openings, job descriptions, handbooks of policies and procedures, and employee news and achievements.
• A Web site is an inviting way to highlight your firm's culture, vision, and mission, so that talented career-seekers will be tempted to inquire about employment and internships.

© Diane Gere, 2001 - 2005
Diane Gere Associates
Iowa and Illinois
563-359-7250
dgere@dianegere.com