The other day I was searching online for the website of one of my favorite fabric companies. I couldn't find anything and eventually discovered they didn't have one. Now this isn't some brand new little business. This company has been around for a while and is quite popular in the industry. I was a little astounded that they had not yet set up a website.

This blog is full of my opinions, backed by what I like to think is some rational explanations. Well here's another of my opinions.
I think every business should have a website.
That doesn't mean you have to run right out and spend $500.00 to have someone build you one, but it does mean that you should have some sort of presence on the Internet. That presence can be as simple as 4 pages built through Go Daddy's free web builder that has your contact info and a couple pieces of free photo art.

Here's why I think having a website is so crucial for your business.

1. It makes you seem more professional. Would you do business with someone who didn't even have a business card? Probably not. You'd question whether they were a true business or just some dude down the street trying to make some money. Think of a website as the new business card. It provides your business with professional image.

2. It gives your business a feeling of being in touch with the modern world. When you don't have a website your business gives the impression of being a little dusty, old and out-of-date.

3. It provides you with a showroom without having to buy a building. Companies without a website have less of a feeling of permanence. Few workrooms have a retail/showroom location that customers can pop in and out of. A large majority of us work out of our homes. A website gives you an online showroom or even an online retail store. People can freely visit your new showroom and find out information about your business.

4. The Internet is also the new business pages. I'm not talking about the online Yellow Pages that you have to pay for. Instead the entire world wide web is like a giant Yellow Pages just waiting to be opened. I can't recall the last time I even opened my paper Yellow Pages. Whenever I need a phone number or even the hours of a company, I turn to the Internet. Don't you want to be the company customers find.

5. Searching for a company on the Internet is easier than the yellow pages. Suppose you are at one of your children's swim meets and you get to talking with the woman next to you. You tell her what you do and your business name. She's interested, but not right now. A couple of months later she is trying to find your information, but she's a little unsure of your exact business name. Because of this she can't find you in the Yellow Pages. So instead she turns to an online search engine and puts in your name and what she thinks is your business name. Viola, after only a couple of minutes she has all your information and your phone number to call you.

6. The Internet is a little like a giant file cabinet for all your information and accolades. What do you do when you've won an award, or had an article about your business in the newspaper. Maybe you just installed a fabulous treatment and want to show potential customers what you can do. Your website is the perfect spot to showcase all your accomplishments in one place. You can show potential customers how fabulous you are in a variety of ways all at once.

7. A website provides you with lots of cross marketing. Once you have a website you can put that address on anything and everything you use for marketing. Car magnets, your business cards, post cards, brochures even your signature line for your emails. By doing this, you are using more than one avenue of marketing for possible customers. Not just that brochure or business card, but a chance to find out more about you on your website.

8. My final argument is that if you don't create a website you are going to get left behind by your competitors who do. The Internet isn't going anywhere, and it is only going to continue to become a larger presence in all our lives. Take my younger sister as an example. She' approximately 7 years younger than me and works as a computer engineer. Not only does she spend all day on the computer, but she is rarely without a laptop or her Blackberry. She's connected to the Internet pretty much all day long. She looks up businesses, directions, Facebook and dating sites. She texts, sends emails and types up documents on her computers and phone. Now she is in her early thirties. If she and her friends are this connected to the Internet, I can only imagine what those who are even younger than her will be doing online.

Don't let competiors who might be younger or more tech savvy than you beat you at your business. Create a website today and be the one the customers call first.