This question has been the basis of many conversations over the past few years, around the dinner table, corporate luncheons, and even client face to face interaction.  It is what every business wants to know, what is the Return on my Investment (ROI) with a website?  With economic problems bruing all over the nation, this is not a bad question to ask, so I wonder, why should many businesses have websites?

• A Business should have a website simply because these are new times, there is no more time of picking up a phone book and placing a phone call.

Let's face the music, the days of picking up a phonebook and calling a company to see what they can do for you is over.  Now it's a systematic run to the nearest computer, go to your favorite search engine, and fire away at finding what company can serve you best.  This is evident in all walks of our business, when you can order your dinner from a website and not have to place a call, you know things are changing.

• A website is your digital fingerprint on the web

A businesses website should say everything about the business that they want the public to know.  Your website is who you are!  Everywhere you go on the internet can be linked back to your website, and not having a website can leave many people wondering who you are.

• Without a Website you are losing out on potential clients
  

This is probably the most important reason to have a website!  The main focus of any business is to have as many clients and customers as possible to generate as much income as possible.  Without a website, your company is only accessible part of the time (unless you have workers that work nights, weekends, and even holidays).  Your presence on the web will bring in more clients because they can learn about you on their time. Also new clients can learn about the company without having to feel embarassed over the phone or make an in person visit, they can use the power of a search engine to find everything they want to know about you.

Bottom line, times are changing.  It is evident that times are rough, but putting forth a little effort and spending the money up front to have  a well designed and thought out website can not only save you money in the long run, it can bring in massive profits if done correctly.  The next time someone asks you why they should have a website simply ask them, why not?