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 Wondering if you need a presence on the Web? You're not alone. Thousands of people, organizations and businesses ask themselves the same question almost every day, especially small business owners. That's why we created this page, to help you understand the possibilities and make an informed decision.
What Is A Web Presence?
A lot of folks feel they need to get their business/organization "on the Web". Often they aren't sure exactly what this means, but they think or have been told that they should be doing it.
Being "on the web" is a bit vague and can mean different things. We use the term "Web Presence" to describe all or any of the possibilities, but more specifically, being "present" and visible on the Web so that other people can find you or your business. Here are some of the things your Web presence might include:
- A Professionally Designed Website
- E-mail
- E-Commerce or Shopping Carts
- Search Engine Listings
- Blogs
- Listings in Industry Specific Online Directories
- Social Networking sites such as: Facebook or LinkedIn.
 Some organizations think that they don't have much use for the Web. Believe it or not, there are still small businesses that somehow survive without a computer at all. However, if you're in business or if you represent an organization of any kind, then we can guarantee that some sort of Web presence will benefit you and make you more profitable. It may be a full-blown website, it may be a lower-cost alternative, it may be a simple listing in a directory. In any case it makes sense to explore the options.
What if I Don't Use the Web?
It doesn't matter. You don't need to read the phone book to be listed in it. Just remember that today hundreds of millions of people use the Web every day -- more and more use it as their primary source of information. If you're not on the Web, you're quickly becoming invisible, especially to your potential customers.
 Why Do I Need E-mail?
Do you need a postal address or a telephone? If not then maybe you don't need an e-mail address. Otherwise you certainly should be considering it. Even if you've never needed an e-mail address before you may be surprised at how useful it can be. Staying in contact has never been easier or cheaper. You can send and receive mail almost instantaneously at virtually no cost.
Do I Need A Website?
This is a more difficult question and you should probably to talk to someone at WebSafaris.net with experience if you want the best answer about what type of website would be best for you. Generally speaking, you should have a website if any of these criteria apply to you:
- You would like to provide information about your business/organization to millions of viewers.
- You would like people to have a good chance of finding you on the Web.
- You would like your business/organization to have a more professional image.
- You would like to sell goods or services over the Web...this is known as e-commerce.
- There are many other reasons to have a website but these are the most common.
Okay, I Need A Website. Where Do I Start?
We can't emphasize this enough: It's absolutely critical that you discuss your situation with someone, like WebSafaris, who has a lot of professional experience with websites. The biggest mistake we see is when people dive into creating a website with no professional advice. It's common for the family computer expert to take on the job, or for a business to delegate it to whoever seems to know the most about the Web. Don't fall into this trap -- you will end up wondering why your website doesn't perform and in the end it will cost you far more.
Creating a website isn't just a matter of creating good-looking pages. Sure, you can learn the basics to making a website in a few hours. You can also make a website online using one of the many services. However there is much, much more to it than that -- the website itself is only one part of the process. It takes years to learn all the intricacies of the Web and to know how to avoid the pitfalls. It takes years to learn the difference between a site that looks good and a site that performs well. This is why our designers at WebSafaris have spent years learning web design. You don't necessarily have to hire someone to create your website, but you should at least consult a professional about your Web strategy...say....one of WebSafaris.
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