​Ever since the internet began, users have been determined to bring the real world into a virtual, digital form of life.
Giving your business an online presence also gives your business an advantage.
Discover the reasons why it is so important to be part of the digital movement and have a web presence. 

​Retailers have noticed a decrease in foot traffic to their brick and mortar stores because the ability to browse, compare, purchase and receive products has become so much easier for the consumer to shop from the comfort of their own home.
Think of all the people who may not have visited your store because they haven’t had the means to get there. You may not be located in their town, or even their country. These people now don’t have that limitation placed on them and are free to shop where and whenever they want.
You may even find that people will stumble cross your business on the web. It widens the audience potential and there may even be people who didn’t know you exist. 

​This term is usually used only for Social Media platforms but it can also apply to physical stores.
If something was to happen tomorrow to your store, would you be able to continue selling your products? The same can be said about Social Media pages like Facebook. You don’t own the platform, you just borrow it and at any point, the whole thing could just fall apart and you have no control over that. Having a website, means that if anything should happen, you have a back up in place. Measures can be taken to ensure that the security used is paramount, updates and maintenance is done in compliance with your needs. You have far more control over owning your own website. 

​We have all done it. We have seen something in store and bought it without much thought.
I bet you have also spotted something in store, contemplated it and after awhile, changed your mind and put it back.
Having a website increases the chances of Impulse shopping. If the consumer is given the opportunity to purchase from your company, they will do it without a lot of thinking and once that button is clicked, there is no going back!
We live in a world where we need instant gratification. We see something that we want and we want it right there and then.
Your business can be open 24/7 to meet the needs of your varying customers. Your store can also be accessible to the entire world if you wish, Time zones make no difference.

​By having a website, you can use Social Media and Google Adwords to advertise your products and services with a CTA (Call to Action) that leads them to your website with a click of a button.
Print media can easily be discarded and there is no way of measuring how many consumers have engaged with your advertising in some shape or form. Link your website up to services like Google Analytics and watch your website visitors browse your website, gain information about your customers and use it to your advantage.
You can also use your website to accumulate email subscribers, giving you yet another means of advertising. Have a lead page with an opt-in form to collect email addresses. 

​Word of mouth is a powerful source of advertising. Honest feedback from your customers can build or break your reputation and by providing an easy to use eCommerce website with excellent customer service, you can create a positive experience for your customers.
Sharing information that is relevant to your business in the form of blogs and articles will show that you are an expert in your field and your customers are likely to keep coming back. 

A system or software program that allows you to store, recall and use information about your customers and clients.

Think of it as a library and each book is designated for each customer or client. 
This book contains information specific to your clients habits, purchases, demographics and interactions with your business. 

Every phone call, email, purchase can be recalled easily to help track sales and if you are looking to find customers who live in a certain location or meet a certain criteria, you can easily bring this information to the forefront.
Analyze this information to help narrow down your target market or create campaigns based on a specific criteria. 
Automate responses when your customers interact with your website therefore creating a stronger sales funnel.

There are a wide range of CRM software available and it will depend on the size of your business, specific needs and future goals as to which one will suit you best.

A cloud based solution is a more cost effective solution where the user pays on a subscription basis. The downside to this is that you are more vulnerable to security issues as you have no physical control over the storage of the data, maintenance and security systems.
On-site systems are available however they tend to be higher in cost and the onus is on the business to maintain the software, updates, security and administration. These types of programs are available by purchasing the licence upfront with no on-going costs.  

Prices range start at $0 - $199 USD per month and will increase depending on your level of need. 
Popular CRM's are Zoho, Insightly, Sales Force and Infusion Soft.

The question that most new business owners ask is "where do I start?" when it comes to building a website.
Regardless of whether you plan on building it yourself or having a professional website developer and designer, you need to have a clear vision on what your end product to be. 
Use the following tips to plan your website.

List the main headings you would like on your website.

Then think about your sub categories

What images would you like on the home page?
Will you be using images of your products on the other pages?
Do you want a large header across the top of the page? 

What colours would you like to have? Select one main background colour, and one to two other colours. Try and tie your logo into the overall colour scheme.

What would you like your website to do? Drive sales? Inform the customer? Be a space to share thoughts and feelings? 
Do you want slideshows or videos?
Will you require payment options? Newsletter sign ups?
Will you require Social Media icons leading to your other platforms? 

If you would like help building your website, we have a range of packages available. You can also save this document for future reference.