Understanding your market is key in determining your strategy. Your customers exhibit buying behaviors, that if properly managed, could help attain competitive advantage. For example, consumers in the New Economy are shopping and comparing products online. What do you want to accomplish with your website?

A key factor to consider is the demographics of your customer base. Are your customers Internet savvy? Would you provide enough content to keep them coming back? Cyberspace has created a new marketing channel for companies to sell their wares. The difference between you and a competitor getting a sale may boil down to whose website was accessed first.

Websites can also be used for promotional purposes. For example, you could inform your customers about your company’s products or services. You could also provide informative articles and news items regarding events in your industry. Think of your website as an alternate means of communicating with your customers.

Related links

"Why the WWW?"

An Internet presence could enhance your firm’s visibility. Your customer base could very well increase with a larger audience. The following link provides a discussion on what the web could do for your business.

"Keep Your Biz Wired Without Going Broke"

Implementing an Internet presence could be expensive. Stephen J. Lewis, head of IT outsourcer All Bases Covered, offers technology and budgeting tips for small businesses.

"Envisioning Your Website"

When creating a website, the business owner must be sure of his or her goals. For instance, who is the audience that you're trying to reach? Competition should also be considered. Does your competition have a website? If so, what features do your competitors' sites have that appeal to customers?

Back to e-Business Resource Guide homepage

Find a word in the glossary

Contact an SBTDC counselor

Return to the SBTDC homepage