What is the "ONE" Virtual Need Of a Small/Mid Size Business Owner ?
What are the expectations of Small/Mid size business owners with the increasing importance of internet presence.
Because of my goal to serve small/mid size business owners in the best way like no other, an important factor that I try to understand is the need of the end user. I have to admit that DotSign's success is possible only because I try to find out what my end user wants from time to time...So please help me to help you !
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The Question:
1. If you have to say the "ONE thing" that you expect from having a Web site / Internet Presence - What is it ?
Note: Actually you can say more than 1 thing, answers can be repeated (even if someone else had said the same thing)
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For people who are wondering "Who am I & Why am I asking this question ? " - See here, Why DotSign is different and how your answer can help.
There is another poll coming soon ...so watch out and be ready my friends !
Henry Joshua
.DotSign
"Gateway To Your Web Identity"
www.dot-sign.com
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Henry,
I was a small business owner a few years back. I wanted internet presence so I hired a web designer to create a website for my business. I provided detailed content and my specific ideas that I wanted implemented. I was happy with the final product, paid a fair price, and the website went live.
My problem was that after some time I wanted to update content, change a few things, add more features etc. and then I relized that, first of all, my knowledge was very limited, and second, I couldn't afford hiring my web designer back to do this for me.
So if we're talking about brick&mortar small businesses, as in my case, cost and maintenace are crucial, especially when ROI is not clearly defined and presented.
Internet based businesses are a different story. Now, this is just my perspective but I do think that other small business owners have similar observations. Hope this will help
Henry, this is likely a bit of a spin off from what Almir suggested.
In my business, a website provides the following:
a) an information repository that allows prospects, clients and the world learn more about me and whether I'm a good fit for them at any hour of any day on their terms.
b) a marketing vehicle to promote my perspectives, opinions, knowledge and skills
c) a marketing database generator - collecting email addresses and names
Based on these three objectives, I want to be able to change content at any time, add and delete pages any time and have it look professional.
My biggest challenge right now is finding a design resource who can create banner or header design for Microsoft Frontpage 2003. I create, write and publish my own site and I'm tired of template driven designs.
Thanks for asking a great question.
-Preston
Gentlemen,
Thank you for your valuable feed back. I will wait for more people to share their needs and objective. I will summarize (in a list format) all the points by the end of it .
P.S: In a way, its interesting to know that maintenance cost would be a big factor.
I give life long free maintenance for the Web site we develop, may be thats why I didnt think about that as an important factor. Very good point ....
Preston thank you mentioning about the cookie cutter sites
I am glad you mentioned it. I will get in touch with you offline to help you with graphic/banners.
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Henry Joshua
CEO & Founder
.DotSign
www.dot-sign.com
"Gateway To Your Web Identity"
Hi Henry: Bases on our past discussions you already know -----my wants are similar those already shared. Inexpensive updates as needed and also the ability to keep my calendar updated myself. Lin
Henry -
What would I expect from HAVING an Internet website/presence?
I would expect to have more prospective clients! I would expect that they would be "warmer" - have more of a sense of who I am and what I do, be interested in or at least intrigued about pursuing that (as opposed to clueless). Basically, I would expect that it would do some of my marketing/qualifyihng/pipelining work for me. Not most of it, but enough to turn someone from "cold" to (at least) "mildly warm".
I would also expect it to give me more stature in the business community - a presence, and a presence as someone of substance.
And, I would expect it to give me a place to have my writings (read, my various ways of reaching out to the community) live so people can find them always.
Lastly, if I gave workshops or presentations, as Lin does and I probably will at some point (soon?), a place for prospective attendees to find out about them and register.
In one word, marketing!
I didn't want to just say "ditto" to everything that Almir, Preston & Lin said, but consider that said, too.
- Natalie