For businesses that choose to setup a website, one of the first steps is identify what domain name you would like. Once you have selected a name, you can then check to determine if it is available for purchase. To check a domain’s availability visit any website domain website (I would recommend GoDaddy.com) and type if your desired domain name. If it is available you will then be able to register it. Typical domain name registration fee is around $10 per year.

Billye Hill is owner of Hill Internet Group (http://www.hillinternetgroup.com) an Internet Consulting firm that specializes in assisting small/medium sized businesses with their Internet needs. With over 9 years experience, Billye has previously held Internet Marketing roles  for Fortune 100 companies including Procter & Gamble and The Home Depot.

1) Email -  This is and oldie but goodie (so for those businesses out there that haven’t started to do this, it’s time). Email is by far your best way to connect with customers outside of your physical presence. Email is cheap (pennies per recipient vs. dollars), easy to setup, direct, actionable and 5 times more EFFECTIVE than direct mail. To start, simply add an email address form to all of your traditional client paperwork with a permission box for them to opt-in; add it to your website; add it to everything and anything that your customers see. Then utilize a service like Constant Contact to email a professional email. (I will write a later blog about the best email marketing techniques - I promise).

2) Internet Specials/Coupons - now that you have your customers’ email addresses, what do you send them? Internet specials and coupons are a great opportunity to make your existing clients feel special and ‘in the know’. Offer a 15% off coupon for customers that print your online coupon and bring it to your location (assuming you do not sell online) so you can track the traffic.

3) Blogging - This is a biggie and will be a topic we discuss more in detail in another post. But for now, know that blogging serves three primary purposes for you in connecting with your existing customers. 1-Educating your customer up front via a blog leads to a more knowledgable customer which in turn reduces your time and increases your upsell; 2-communicating regularly with customers increases their engagement with you, overall brand loyalty and keeps you top of mind when decision time occurs.

4) Solicit Feedback- we all have seen (or used) he typical feedback/survey response form. BORING! Leverage the internet to really engage your customers and get honest feedback. Level 1 - place a feedback from on your website; level 2 - have customers complete surveys (for a reward of course); level 3 - get customers involved in NEW product/service design.

5) Industry/Internet Portal Site Reviews - make your existing customers a part of your team by encouraging them to be your RAVING fan on websites that seek customer reviews. Whether you have a product (like a book on amazon) or a bricks and mortar business (that has a local business directory with review section) get your existing customers to spread their total complete satisfaction with you and your business.

Billye Hill is owner of Hill Internet Group (http://www.hillinternetgroup.com) an Internet Consulting firm that specializes in assisting small/medium sized businesses with their Internet needs. With over 9 years experience, Billye has previously held Internet Marketing roles  for Fortune 100 companies including Procter & Gamble and The Home Depot.

4) Potential Stalkers - Whether online or in the ‘real’ world, ladies and children under 18 need to always keep this in mind and act accordingly. Specifically if you match a picture with detailed information about yourself such as your full name,  place of work, school, activities a person can learn about you online and find offline.

3) PHOTOSHOP!! - For years now we have seen magazine covers and other celebrity photos that were ‘touched up’. Well, fast forward 20 years and this software is prevalent and easily accessible to anyone that you would like grab you online picture and superimpose it somewhere. While the likelihood that a complete stranger would intentionally target you is slim, never underestimate the power of a scorned ex (and in that case they probably have a lot of dirt on you and their are legal remedies)! I came across this interesting picture on FrancesFarmersRevenge.com website - a picture is truly worth a thousand words.

2) Potential Employers/College Recruiters- Given the downturn in the economy, the marketplace for jobs and college spaces is tight. As a result, it is an employer/recruiter market in that they have dozens of people competing for the same slot. With that in mind, many recruiters are conducting online searches for your name to learn more about you! College recruiters regularly visit MySpace pages to review the potential candidates online profile vs. the submitted application. Rule of thumb, don’t post any pictures online that you would not want the whole world, including potential employers, college recruiters, your family to see - because they will see it!

1) NOTHING disappears in cyberspace - The saying goes ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’, well unfortunately pictures you delete today do not necessarily delete in the online world. There’s nothing like waking up 20 years later and looking at the tattoo you got after a late-night out with friends! Internet pictures although you DELETE them still linger in computer server memory and can be accessed. Lesson - don’t post something you would not want your FUTURE children to see!

Billye Hill is owner of Hill Internet Group an Internet Consulting firm that specializes in assisting small/medium sized businesses with their Internet needs. With over 9 years experience, Billye has previously held Internet Marketing roles  for Fortune 100 companies including Procter & Gamble and The Home Depot.

In today’s environment it’s a given that all businesses have websites - right? Our 2008 survey of over 2,000 businesses showed that only 53% of small businesses have a website. So what’s with the other 47%? Is your business one of them? If you are still holding out on making the jump unto the world wide web, consider the following list of business benefits from having a website:

5) Professional branding - Create a brand for your company by having a professional looking website. A website is an integral part of your image that starts with your business card.

4) Attract new LOCAL customers - 37% of ALL Internet searches have LOCAL intent to buy. Your customers are online looking for you!

3) Convert potential customers - You and/or your sales people meet and interact with people on a daily basis. Websites provide an avenue to further educate potential clients about your product/service offering 24 hours a day when they are search of it! So whether you have made an initial contact with a potential client and exchanged business cards or someone has received a referral from one of your current clients and desires more information on your company; a website is an essential tool in delivering information to people at the right time.  

2) Engage with your EXISTING customers - In today’s economy the old adage it costs more to find a new customer than to keep an existing customer is never more applicable. Turn your current customers into loyal customers by engaging with them online via email newsletters, specials/coupons, surveys with reward, or helpful tips. 

1)  Stay current with your competition - You may not be online, but your competitors are

Still not convinced? Feel free to leave me a comment with your concerns or reasons for why a business does NOT need a website!

Billye Hill is owner of Hill Internet Group an Internet Consulting firm that specializes in assisting small/medium sized businesses with their Internet needs. With over 9 years experience, Billye has previously held Internet Marketing roles  for Fortune 100 companies including Procter & Gamble and The Home Depot.