Why is a website important?

[Brian Turner]

This thread is for the discussion of the article: Why is a website important?

[Suzanne]

A website is importance because it's a means of communication. The whole net is. That's its power and its failing. Everyone can communicate BS with ease.

[Panky]

People are becoming accustomed to looking a product, service, or business up on the 'Net. If a company has a web presence and one of their competitor's doesn't, a person might choose to do business with that company who has web presence. Basically because they can browse through their web site, review products or services, send an email, place an order..., without ever having to leave their seat.

Some people feel they can shop around or gather information without having to have initial contact with a person. Maybe they don't want to go through being placed on hold until the next service rep answers? Maybe they want to research a product to be better informed before they face the sales person? It's kind of like the same theory as why people visit car lots after hours or on Sundays to look at cars before they go in during regular business hours to talk to a salesperson.

Some people expect a company to have a web presence. They somehow perceive this company as being a step above one who isn't online.

Some people don't look phone numbers up in phone books anymore. They would rather type the name or keywords into Google to see if they can find who they want.

Maybe someone is looking to travel into a specific area? Maybe they want to research accomodations, night life, restaurants... Maybe someone is going through a re-location and they want to research schools, communities, churches...

The 'Net is just a tool. People are so accustomed to using this tool that if a company doesn't have a web presence, they are missing out on a hug opportunity for name recognition, sales...

[Brian Turner]

Quite right, Panky - and as you make a point of, it's simply so much easier to find what you want on search engines and directories.

If I want some printing done locally, I can go downstairs, look for the Yellow Pages, leaf through looking for the right section, find the section I'm looking for it actually relocated into a different section of the Yellow Pages, and...waster more time reading down the pages of entries for local printers (there are about 80). Or I can type a few words in Google and look at the top ranked 3.

And outside of the home, as you pointed out, who likes queuing?

The net just makes it all so easy - but people demand information immediately. And people don't tend to read so far on a computer screen as they would on real paper.

Some websites just haven't yet learned that information delivery on a website needs to be pretty quick.

Businesses need to look at raising a hook within the first couple of sentences on their website, if they're looking to sell themselves efficiently.

[becki]

I need a website to reach people who wont find me otherwise. i cant meet every possible customer so a website is a good way of setting a stall and seeing if anyone interested will stop and chat and ask for a price. and if your stall isnt there how will they know?