I often ask customers why they want a website - what they imagine it will do for them. It is fair to say that most responses are vague or they admit that they do not really understand how the internet works. What follows is a selection of reasons for wanting a website.

Credibility - Most businesses these days are treated with a certain amount of scepticism if they do not have a website. I have seen customers thrilled at the idea of having a website even if there is no real financial value to be gained from its existence. Its almost as if having a website means that they have personally achieved something in life.

Sales - Most people think that having a website will bring them lots of business. This is sadly not the case, disregarding the quality and functionality of the site, it may not be in a category where people even use the internet much. Also, if the site is not well positioned like on the first three pages of a search engine, for realistic search terms, then nothing will help them. They often think that a search engine is like a directory and that by inputting 'hairdressers brighton' they will be found.

Shop Window / Brochure - This is the least demanding reason to have a website and the most easily fulfilled. If the website is an alternative to a brochure then it can prove fantastic value! The initial cost of the website against a brochure, the ease of error correction and updating are significantly easier and cheaper than the designing and printing/re-printing costs of a brochure.

These are the three main reasons for having a website and any kind of business needs to understand which one applies to them before they search for someone to design it. A sad fact for new businesses is that they do not spend enough time and money on a marketing plan before they start

You really need to start at the beginning with a website and ask yourself some serious questions.