THE VIRTUAL LANDSCAPE

             In an age where email is indispensable and the entire world is just one click away, it might go without saying (but we’ll say it here so there’s no question): doing business via the internet is one of the smartest steps you can take to ensure the future and growth of your business. Not only will you have a new, easily expansive way to present your company, brand, product and services, but with the right maneuvers, you have an opportunity to gain an instant global audience. While promoting the company image you desire, a well designed website will allow your target audience to locate and contact you with a click. Simply put: web presence is vital to all businesses in all industries.

            While a chapter on the importance of the internet may seem out of context and less specific to building strong business credit than previous chapters, it’s nonetheless extremely important. Web presence alone does not build business credit. However, a website can do much to add credibility to your business, and therefore, improve your business image and profile.

WEB BASICS

            Typically, a simple 5-page website can cost between $400-750. This basic fee usually includes conceptualization (the basic look), design (how it will be set up), development (working out the kinks), and deployment (getting it up and running). Since a website is a physical presence on the internet (it works from a host computer), you’ll require an Internet Hosting company that specializes in delivering your website to the internet. These are easy to find on any websearch engine and typically charge between $5-50 per month for their services.

            Once your website is active, you can begin taking some steps outlined in this chapter to ensure that your site can be searched for and found by users who are looking for your business, product, or service.

Ilya Bodner
Small Business Owner
National Corporation