<p>Every business needs a website to compete within his or her market, geographic area, and industry. If you think you will just wait to get a site up once you have established your business, you are missing a key tool in the marketing of your new business.</p> <p>A website does not need to be expensive to be effective, but it does need to be professional built. Why? Your website is often the first face your customers see. You want that face to be as professional as your business.</p> <p>So what does a professional website cost and why include it in your start-up costs? When you are preparing your business plan you should be estimating your development costs already. Leasehold improvements, equipment, stock, and promotional tools. Once you have this number you split up the budget to accommodate each aspect of your start up. How much to repaint the store front, how much to add new signage, etc. At some point you may be going out to get your bank loan. When you present your business plan to the bank or investors, that extra 2000-3000 dollars for a website has already been accounted for. You don't need to wait till you have your first big sale to think about getting your site, it is already up and running getting you the first big sale.</p> <p>So to answer the first part of that question...How much should you expect to pay for a site and how much should I calculate into my business start up costs? Well there is no simple answer. Your site cost will depend on what you need. You should calculate in a minimum of $3000. $3000 will buy you a lot of room to get a site developed. My suggestion would be to sit down with a web developer and get a consultation. Most developers will sit down with you for free and will be able to give you a good idea of the costs for your particular needs. You can also get a quote and proposal, this can be added to your business plan. Investors and banks like to see that you have got all your research done with regards to your business plan.</p> <p>So why is it so important to have my site running before or at the time my new business opens? There are lots of reasons, but the most important reason is marketing. Before you open your new glass doors you can have already been recruiting customers, mailing lists, and introducing yourself to the community. Think about how many grand openings you have been to, and the cost to the business to announce it to the public. Huge pricey ads, radio announcements, and calling all your friends to show up so the business looks full.</p> <p>Now picture your grand opening. Since you have a website up and running before you open your doors, you have already had the opportunity to introduce yourself to the community. People know you are coming soon and are eagerly awaiting your arrival. Properly placed ads before you open your business along with your website gives you an advantage. You don't have to hope people will show up for your grand opening, you have a mailing list full of people that are already interested in your grand opening. And you have a way to tell them personally.</p> <p>A website is the best marketing tool available to you and your return on investment is almost immediate if you include it at the very start of your business venture.</p> 2009-06-09T18:46:46Z -6.6797 150 4937 true 1 35207 dont-forget-the-website 4 2009-06-13T20:53:54Z 2009-06-14T03:54:11Z

Start your business right...every business small to large needs to have a website. Make sure you include it in your business start up costs.

1 2009-06-14T03:54:11Z