Small Business Website Design
Who is Smart Office Consulting?
Smart Office Consutling is a family operated small business dedicated to helping other small businesses leverage technology readily available to them to help grow their business.
Small businesses run in our family and we have been consulting with them for over 20 years. What we've seen over that time is that the local tradesman, the small business with only a few employees, is basically not being serviced; or is being sold "a bill of goods". We've also seen that you are so busy running your small business that you're working "harder" not "smarter".
Things are changing rapidly on the web and most small business owners haven't kept up, or don't understand what's available to them for little or no cost. As a result, the typical small business is missing out on opportunites to attract new customers and paying absurd fees for marginal results. Read our case study and see if it sounds familiar.
Does my small business really need a website?
A few quick facts to consider:
Since 1998, Internet usage has grown from 38% of all adults in the US to over 70% today. Of that total, over 78% perform searches to research a product or service before buying, and more than 54% are looking for a phone number or address.
Why is this important? Can your small business afford not being part of the results these potential customers are looking at?
The internet has brought radical changes to the way people access and find information. When was the last time you used an encyclopedia? How about the phone book?
What if I already have a small business website?
About 10 years ago, as internet usage began to skyrocket, there was a rush to the web by many small businesses. Being on the web is important for any small business, being FOUND on web (preferably for free) is vital.
Ask yourself a few questions:
- When was the last time your content was updated?
- When a search is performed for your small business service, anywhere in your trade area, where do you show up?
- Have you noticed all the major search engines now have "Local Results"? Are you listed in their directories?
- How much are you paying for hosting fees? Do you know you can get hosted for free (this site is)?
Chances are you already know you're not getting the results you should be from your small business website, which is why you are here.
How much is this going to cost?
The answer here is the same answer you give your small business customers - "it depends on how big and how much".
As you decide if this is something your small business is going to pursue, consider how much your small business is spending on traditional marketing activities:
Approximate figures for a Yellow Pages listing in a fairly metropolitan area:
- $10/month for a one line listing
- $125/month for a 1" inch ad
- $1,400/month for a half page ad
What about suburban telephone directories? How many of those are you listed in?
Newspapers are expensive too:
- 1" ad in small, local suburban newspaper $50 per run
- 1" ad in major, metropolitan newspaper $300 per run
The final question you need to ask yourself, is "can your small business afford NOT having an effective web presence?" If you don't, you are missing out on one of the most productive, cost effective, advertising channels available to you.
Our rates are extremely competitive, and our services are professional.
Contact Us for a free consultation.