I don't have a lot of news, and I wouldn't read a scholarly article--let alone write one. How can I
make my site worth visiting?
Some companies such as catalog duchess http://www.lillianvernon.comput price specials on the
Web each week. In the world's ultimate marketplace, price is the coin of the realm. You have to
provide a remarkable level of service and support to not to compete on price.
http://www.honda.comlets would-be Honda drivers "paint" different models their choice of
colors.
What about pictures?
Pictures take time to download, so don't put something complicated on page one of your "home
page." As the customer expresses more interest by clicking deeper into your site, that's the
place to put a picture of your product. A diagram is another option and uses less capacity.
I'd like to hear from my customers. How can I do make sure that happens?
Way to go! Include your e-mail address and 800-number on the bottom of your pages--just
make sure that someone on your end responds. You also can use the Web as an instant polling tool
by counting the number of visits to each part of your site.
Post a survey on your site every week--consider an online coupon as an enticement--and reap
some great market intelligence. http://www.pyramidbrew.comhas fun contests on its site,
where contestants must register to win prizes such as brewery T-shirts and jackets. Imagine
their mailing list!
How do I let people know I have a Web page?
Not easy. But every print ad you run should list your e-mail address. The Capital District
Business Review (http://www.amcity.com/albanyoffers online business cards with live links
to e-mail addresses and Web sites. Of course, links from and to industry trade organizations,
chambers and guides help too. Investigate swapping links with a supplier or a customer.
How do I protect my visitors'--and my own--financial information?
Look, it's probably safer to shop by computer than it is to use an automated teller machine after
dark. Hundreds of thousands of transactions take place daily with the help of encrypting
software. The most important issue is determining whether the Web is the right place for you to
sell. Can you imagine traditional undertaking services selling well on the Web? Of course not,
but look at the pre-planned funeral packages you can contemplate at
http://www.forethought.com.
Who should I have create and maintain my Website?
You could not possibly make a better choice than Cyberbites® WebCraft of San Francisco - 415.665.6993
mikep@cyberbites.com, stephen@cyberbites.com - Mike Phelan and J. Stephen Coyle
Yochum is special projects editor for American City Business Journals, parent of the Business Review.
© 1997, Capital District Business Review
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