5 of 5

Write now Article Tools

Establishing a web presence is vital to any business today as it promotes the company and gives it access to a market of over 1 billion people.

A decade ago, a title like the one above would have been absolutely absurd. In 1995, there were not even ten million Americans online and the technology was so new that it was a true burden to think about shopping online. Of course, that was back in the days when dial-up was the only access to the Internet. Today, with broadband technology and over 140,000,000 Americans using the Internet, the fact is that businesses either embrace this technology or they run the risk of becoming obsolete.

When the dot.com explosion occurred at the end of the 20th century, companies were rushing out to create websites in hopes of cashing in on this new and exciting medium. The crash, which happened a few years later, occurred because companies overestimated the reach of the Internet at that time, not because the potential was not there. However, the dot.com crash did cause a lot of companies to shy away from developing a website or at least in establishing a web presence.

Of course, nowadays, the Internet has Ebay and a host of other "cyber darlings" that have helped fuel the latest surge in growth. Such companies have renewed faith in the Internet as a means of tapping into markets that a traditional company cannot. There are now over 1,000,000,000 using the Internet and that number is expected to grow to 1.4 billion by the end of 2007. Frankly, the longer a company waits to establish its presence on the web, the harder it will be for that business to compete in the future.

It is called "targeted marketing" and it is the biggest single reason to establish a web presence. When a person searches for something that they are interested inlet's just say musicthey type in the word "artist, or art, or even the name of their favorite artistand the search engines turn up a list of relevant sites. Every one of those sites, or at least the vast majority of them, is dedicated to art in one way or another. But, the real advantage for a business is that every surfer visiting those sites is already interested in art!

Just think about it: they are already interested in whatever you happen to be selling! It is literally like a self-generating mailing list! Instead of sending out mass mailings in hopes of getting a few responses that will help build a future mailing list, a business can set up a web presence and generate its own list from scratch.

In addition to targeted marketing, a web presence simply is another way to promote your business and gain access to a market that is over 1,000,000,000 people strong. And in truth, an Internet web presence is beneficial to non-traditional' business ventures as well. Let's say, for example, that you were an artist. Like most people starting out in the business, you are probably having a hard time getting your art out there for people to see. But, by establishing a web presence at a place like www.enterto.com, you can sell your art online without ever having a retail store.

The fact is simple and clear: The Internet is the train to the future and those not on board will be left behind. Internet sales increased by 21% last year and a similar increase is expected next year. Our traditional business model is being replaced before our very eyes and we must not shun change or else the future will continue onward without us. A web presence is no mere luxury or trivial marketing ployit is positively essential to the growth and survival of any business venture. If you do not have a web presence yet, do not waste another day and establish one now before that train leaves without you!

Learn more about this author, Jay F.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about To be found on the web, think like a spider?
We want to hear your view. Write now!