If you run a successful mom-and-pop shop, outstanding service,great customer relationships and word-of-mouth marketing are yourtrademarks. Being outstanding in each of those areas is imperativefor survival in the world of small business, but in today’s climateyou need to be able to deliver your product with more than a nodand a smile.

As we become more reliant on the digital world, it’s importantto connect with your customers in meaningful ways through the useof technology. The best way to do that is through your website.

Nowadays, you don’t have to be a web designprofessional to create a website for your business. If you don’thave the ability or the people on staff to design and maintain yourwebsite, services such as Aplus.net offer web design services,including needed web hosting.

If you don’t have a website or are considering a websiteredesign to bring yours up to date, here are some additionalthings to think about:

* Customers expect you to have an up-to-date website. Thesedays, most new customers will find you via the Web – and that couldmean encountering your services or finding out where you arephysically located. Existing customers will also look to yourwebsite to tell them how to contact you.

* By providing information 24/7, a website increases yourproductivity. Having a good website essentially lets you handsomeone a brochure the minute they visit. It will provide yourclientele with answers to their basic questions without you havingto communicate with them directly, freeing up time for you and yourstaff.

* A website can save you hard material costs. Instead ofprinting brochures or promotional items, you can post them to yourwebsite or e-mail them directly to your customers.

* Maintaining a website is easier than you think, as serviceslike those offered through Aplus.net provide easy-to-use tools foryou to manage the content on your site. And if you don’t have thetime or expertise to update the site yourself, you can turn thework over to Aplus.net to manage the maintenance when you purchasea web design package.

* Websites can also be used as a test market, as you can postpolls and other interactive features that will give you a betteridea of what your customers are looking for. You can also usestatistics gathered from your website to find out which of yourgoods and services attract the most attention.

* Adding a sales component to your website can boost your bottomline. Online commerce is projected to grow by 10 percent each yearthrough 2014, according to a recent forecast by Forrester Research.Adding a sales function to your website can help you get a slice ofthat pie.

If you’re concerned about your website becoming a substitute forperson-to-person interaction with your clientele, don’t be.Instead, a good website will boost your credibility and give youanother chance to share your story with your customers, earningtheir trust and confidence. For more information on developing abetter website for your business, visit APlus.net.

Courtesy of ARAcontent