This is a radical way to think about effectively marketing a Small Business today: that a Website is simply not needed.

Frankly, I am shocked when I hear that a small business owner has made a conscious choice to not take his/her business online.

I guess as a web consultant, I automatically assume that by now – everyone knows the distinct advantages and benefits of having a solid web presence.

webguy
And yet, there are the numbers.

According to recent reports, less than 40% of small businesses with fewer than 5 employees have a website.

But how can this be, when it is so incredibly easy and affordable to have a professional looking website?

The fact is, a website is essential for:

•    Increasing Sales
•    Cost-Effective Marketing
•    Building Customer Relationships

A well-designed website is a “success” vehicle for your business.

Given the choice between having a vehicle to get you from here to there – and walking from here to there, which would you think would get you there faster?

Money Is Not The Issue.

It used to be a common excuse that having a Website built meant you had to shell out tons of money to a web designer to make your site look “cool and professional”.

Okay, I’ll give you that one.

Once upon a time, web “masters” were charging an arm and a leg for fancy multimedia and graphic intensive websites.

Today, multimedia is mostly on DVDs, CDs, and YouTube – not on small business websites.

A professional looking website today can be had for under $200.

You can even start an Ebay store for less than $20 a month.

And don’t forget that you can set up a Blog for Free.

Maybe You’re Just Afraid.

Most of us don’t like to admit when we are afraid.

We fear (!) that this makes us appear weak.

So some of us put on a bold face, and proclaim that the Internet and all it’s techno mumbo-jumbo is a bunch of hyped-up nonsense.

Maybe you fear that you are not computer savvy enough to set up your own Website or Blog.

But why not try it? What would you have to lose?

If you can use a word-processor, you can set up a Blog at Wordpress.com and be up and running within a few hours – FOR FREE.

Or you could step up and have an affordable Small Business Website designed.

So maybe it’s time to leave some of the more destructive small business myths behind, and give your Small Business a real chance to succeed.

Actually, you do need a website.