 
The
Internet
Using
The Internet in your Business
The internet has finally come of age. After all the hype and spurious
"dot com" booms, it has settled down to become a most very
useful business tool, in addition to all the other tools that a modern
business uses. Where would we all be without telephones, fax machines
and photocopiers? The internet is just another business tool. It is
also very useful for research purposes, to see what your competitors
are offering. Also, selling prices are often lower on the internet as
companies large and small jostle for your business.
It
is often cheaper to produce your own simple web site than to produce
a glossy catalogue, for instance, and it is then much easier to keep
it updated. Some companies use direct mail simply to drive traffic to
their web site, where the actual sale takes place. Others use it so
that the customer can view pictures and a specification of their products,
while still placing the order by telephone or by post.
If
you do not have a web site of your own, however simple, you must take
steps to rectify this. Web space is now inexpensive and most people
are able to either produce a simple site themselves or find some enthusiastic
young person to do it for them. You can then invite all potential customers
to visit the site and view your wares. Think of the internet as an interactive
part of your marketing, rather than an end in itself.
Almost
every business now has some kind of internet presence. Internet access
is growing rapidly amongst home users. Around 50% of households now
have internet access, with their own e-mail address. Surprisingly, many
older people are also delighting in being "silver surfers",
so the internet is embracing the whole population. If your customer
includes an e-mail address on their order form or reply card, you can
then e-mail them to confirm despatch of their goods or use it to follow
up their enquiry. make sure that your DATASE includes a field for the
e-mail address.
E-mail
An e-mail address is now as important as a telephone number was a few
years ago. Many people now feel much happier with e-mail than the telephone
or post, so you will be losing enquiries if you do not have an email
address. People lead bsuy lives and are less patient than they were.
They sometimes want to respond quickly. Make sure that you have an e-mail
address that ties in with the name of your busines, such as Fred@Bloggsplumbers.co.uk.
Some of the free internet accounts have very long or strange names,
such as: fred.12487@bloggs.freecheapdoodah.org.net, which would
put most of us off using it!
You
can also use the internet to contact existing customers, using e-mail
as a kind of electronic direct mail. Providing that they have asked
to hear from you, this is fine and is a good way of keeping in touch.
Beware, however, of firms offering to send millions of e-mails on your
behalf, for a few pounds. This is now considered to be "spamming"
and is actually illegal in many countries. It is also a waste of money,
as your offer is seen by so few actual potential customers that it very
unlikely to succeed. Most people who use e-mail on a regular basis will
have blocked such "spam" and it will just end up in their
deleted folder with all the baldness cures and porn site adverts.
If
you need help with any of the following, just click the link.
Whatever
your direct mail, mailing list or posting requirements, please contact
Centreprint
now for a quotation or helpful advice without any obligation.
Telephone
us on 01902 402693 9 am to 5 pm UK time. Answering machine outside these
hours.
Fax
us on 01902 491794 (24 hours)
E-mail
us by clicking here or fill in our
simple enquiry form to
ask for help,
advice or a quotation.
We
really do look forward to hearing from
you. Please get in touch and help us to help you.
Start
saving money and increasing your mailing response today.
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