In a word, YES!!! Considering time is money, and anything you can do to increase efficiency will give you a competitive advantage. The main tools used to handle these issues are "home pages" and electronic mail (e-mail). It is very cost effective compared to other mediums of advertising. So yes... you should use the internet immediately.
2. Will it make me money?
It will, in the same way your business cards, letterheads, company logo, print, radio, TV and phone book advertising does every day. It's not simply the cost of doing business, it is an investment in your company/yourself. It doesn't have to cost more, it just means restructuring the advertising budget to include the web site. On the other hand, a web site can reduce the cost of customer service, paper printing, mailing costs, employment ads and cost of communications in general.
3. How much should I spend?
An average company will put 5% of gross sales towards an advertising budget. Put 10% to 13% of that ad budget towards the web.
4. What are average fees? How long will it take to develop a successful web site?
Cost associated with a web site varies from a few hundred dollars to several thousands.... Commercial web hosting cost range from $20 to $500 per month with a start-up charge of around $100. Web designers range in price from $25/hr to over $175. Most small businesses are budgeting anywhere from 8% to 25% of their budget for the internet and/or web sites. Fees for design and page layout are similar to those in the print industry and have long established standards. Rates can vary from $35 to $125 an hour for professional services with higher rates for extra creative work than for straight page layout. From this, we usually can have you up and running on the internet within one business week depending on the scope of the project and outside factors such as registering the web site, hardware, etc...
5. What "other" services does I provide?
Just contact me using the Contact form.
6. Should I get a domain name?
Any company that experiences profit and has every intention of being in business for more than 3 years, should in fact, register a domain name (or internet name). An example of a domain name consist of <www.yourdomainname.com>. And with NO clear laws on the books preventing people from registering your business name (or person name), registering your business name (or person name) protects you from these situations.
7. What if I want my web site to be highly customized?
This is recommended... Customizing your web site represents your business (or personal) personality. Of course, there is a design and development cost associated with customizing sites.
8. What makes a good web site?
Everyone likes different things about the web, but there are some things in common. Colorful graphics, textures and icons work well. Interactive elements like buttons, forms, and clickable images are almost essential; movies, animation, music, and sound are becoming more and more popular.
9. How do I view my web page on the Internet?
We will agree on an address based on your business or self-titled. After that time, you will receive your address (or URL) from me before publishing your site on the Internet. Then in order for you to access your site, all you have to do is type it in on your computer via a browser (i.e., Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator).
10. What information am I allowed to have on my "home pages?"
Almost any content imaginable is allowed on the internet. More specifically, on our site, the use of "inappropriate material" such as profanity, pornography, illegal or copyright materials are not allowed and will result in removal of your home page.
11. Will I be able to see an example of what my site would look like after I supply you with my information? And, how much does it cost?
YES!!! At this point, there is no charge for services rendered.
12. Where do I go from here?
That is a logical question! If you are reading this, you have already made the decision to find out more about creating an Internet presence.
13. What software do I need and how do I get it?
You will need at the very least some kind of dial up software (which is included in most operating systems such as Windows 9x, NT, 2000, XP, etc...), an email client (Eudora, Outlook Express, Outlook, Notes, etc...) and a browser (Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator). an on-line service like AOL or Compuserve will provide you will their own proprietary software that performs all of these functions. If you purchase your connection through an ISP, they may provide you with a suite of non-proprietary software, and this may be the easiest way to begin.
14. What is "intranet?"
The intranet is a TCP/IP network inside of a company (or household), that links internal information together such as company employment, announcements, resources, etc... The information provided is use for internal use only... meaning the outside world can not access this information in contrast to the internet which is public information.
15. What is a domain name, and what is Internic?
A domain name is the central part of a URL or Internet address. For example, SEFitch Associates URL is http://www.sefitch.com, and its domain name is "sefitch." Domain names are registered through a (much reviled) non-profit agency called InterNic, which charges approximately $35 for one year (or $70 for two years) possession of the name (or URL).
16. What security issues should I be concerned about?
Many forms of Internet communication are fundamentally insecure. While private Internet communications are inaccessible to all but very sophisticated computer specialists and those with privileged access to Internet servers, Internet communication should not be used for transmitting professionally confidential information or sensitive financial data.