This Site is Under Construction

I’ve noticed lately that people don’t take websites seriously. Remember the episode of The Simpsons where Homer builds his own website and just puts up dancing hamsters and a variety of other kitschy jumping and dancing icons? I laughed with the rest of America at his idiocy until recently when I noticed that even businesses are caught up in the same ridiculous trend.

Is no one taking the internet seriously?

With the over-saturation of the internet, so many people are opening websites without any constructive planning and the result is a whole slew of websites that are either “Under Construction” or are so badly designed that it is just insulting. I know that this is a business blog and its goal is to educate and enlighten the business owner, so here it goes. You spend money investing in a good office location, nice desks, new chairs, good staff, some computers and phones… why ignore a website? Having a good looking, professional website is more than just something to do for fun, its actually functional… Here’s why:

Websites inform. Like a virtual phone book, your customers and potentials can find out your business’ address, contact information, services/products you offer, testimonials. Think big picture. So few people still use phone books. If all of your customers are searching for businesses and opportunities online, your business should be accessible.

Websites impress. It may not seem like it to someone who isn’t internet savvy, but many potential customers will search for more information on your company online. If you offer no web presence, or even worse… a bad web presence, you’re metaphorically shooting yourself in the foot. Having a strong website proves your commitment to excellence.

Websites sell. Whether you are a product or service based industry, websites sell. They create an online marketplace where people can consider products and services without the pressures of someone demanding an answer. Websites also sell products and services at any time and from the comfort of home.

Having a professional website designed for your business is a survival technique in today’s high-paced, technological society. Interestingly enough, the majority of businesses who have “Under Construction” homepages (most of which don’t change for years, by the way) simply want a domain for more professional looking emails. Think about this concept for a moment. These people understand that “Hotmail” and “Yahoo” email accounts look amateurish and yet don’t believe that they need a website design. It’s the same basic concept. If you have an email address with your website’s domain name and a pathetic looking homepage, you’re missing the point completely. You still look ridiculous, perhaps even more so because you started the website process and then abandoned it. Your website is a half-dressed, drooling child standing awkwardly in the room begging for the parent to finish changing it. That’s you. You’re the parent who is too busy to see how silly your child looks.

The year is 2007 and it is time to start taking the internet seriously. Yes, there are many teenagers and “hooligans” and the like online who will not care that you have a website, but there are also hundreds of serious potential customers who are avoiding your company.

Websites increase ROI. They are well worth the cost and the investment. Don’t take my word for it. Check it out. Look through our online portfolio at our website samples. See if a well designed website entices you to find out more about a product or a service. We’re visually charged beings and it is true that “seeing is believing”.