After all you’ve managed long enough without one. Just like you used to manage before you got your first mobile phone.

Anyway, you don’t even use the Internet that much. In fact you only ever use it to book holiday flights and maybe search for something every so often.

Remember, just because YOU don’t use the Internet regularly, it does not mean that your customers are not using it. Every day multitudes of people use the Internet to search for the services and goods you offer.

Is there a chance you’re missing out?

If you are a small ‘local’ business the following are five good reasons to finally get your business online:

1* Most people search for local goods and services online. They search for "builders in Tralee" or "Accommodation in Annascaul". The good news is there are less websites competing for these small niches than broader searches like "House for sale". As a result, businesses that pitch their websites towards local trade often rank highly for related search phrases in Google. This can lead to enquiries and sales.

2* Don’t limit your business to the standard opening hours. Allow people to interact and learn about your business when it suits them to do so. Provide on your website all the information they’ll need to know about your service so that they can make an informed decision. New business can be won this way.

3* Add value to all your other forms of promotion. Add your website address to your business cards, leaflets, flyers, posters, printed adverts and letterheads. Make your website the cornerstone of your advertising and use it to extend your market reach.

4* A Website is usually an extremely cost effective form of promotion. It works for your business all day, every day and communicates your message to your market while you sleep. A small business website should not cost you the earth. Shop around for good prices and quality. If it is your first website, try to inform yourself about what’s on offer and get only what you need. This way you can keep cost low.

5* Owning a website can give you an advantage over your competition that do not have one. This applies particularly to industries that traditionally do not have a strong web presence like builders, trades people, fabricators and similar.

It’s important to plan an overall business strategy for the years ahead, particularly when times are tough. A website should be central to that strategy as it can help maximize all your promotional activities, put you ahead of the competition and first in line for new business.

Isn’t Time You Got Online?

See our starter website prices and packages for new and small businesses.