There are a number of reasons why any business should have a web site, but there are also factors where a business owner should not take on a web site.  I will do my best to provide you with the straighforward facts that many web designers will cringe at while others will be glad to hear that someone has said what they are fearful of saying themselves.

A web site can open your business up to the world if you so desire, but it takes more than making a fancy web site in order for it to be successful. If you want a web site, you should ask yourself some of the following questions:

• Will I be using this site to extend my current business or will this be a completely on line business?
• What kind of image do I want to convey to my visitors or perspective customers?
• Do I have a solid business plan?
• Do I have a solid design plan?
• Do I have a marketing plan and budget?
• Should I hire a web designer or should I try it myself?
• If I hire someone should I use in house or should I use a contract worker?
• Do I understand the psychology of Colors?
• Do I know what SEO means?
• How long does it take to build a web site?
• How to I grow my customer base?
• Do I need a blog, or other CMS?
• Do I need a shopping cart?
• How do I accept Credit Card Payments?
• Do I know if I need to collect sales tax?
• Do I need to have a business license?

These are just some of the questions and if

you are already in business then you know the answer to the the last three questions? But you must understand that having a web site is like adding another division to your business and will take just as much time and dedication to making it a success as you have with your brick and mortar business.

If you do not have significant time to learn what it takes to run this aspect of this business, you will need to decide if

However if you are completely new to business, I will first suggest you develop a solid business plan.  You can check out the SBA on how to complete one and they have volunteers who will help you fine tune it.

Once you have this step completed you should move on to some of the other questions. This is in now way a comprehensive list and are not necessarily in order but should be enough to get you started? I will try to provide a bit more insight into these questions in the coming weeks.