You may reach Brenda by E-Mail.
Click here to find out more about BK.

1. Your own domain name (www.mycompany.com)
2. A professional Web designer
3. A reliable and affordable Web hosting service

1. To establish a presence
2. To network
3. To make business information available
4. To serve your customers
5. To heighten public interest
6. To release time sensitive materials
7. To sell products and services
8. To make pictures, sound, and film files available
9. To reach a highly desirable demographic market
10. To answer frequently asked questions
11. To stay in contact with salespeople
12. To open international markets
13. To create a 24-hour service
14. To make changing information available quickly
15. To allow feedback from customers
16. To test market new services and products
17. To reach the media
18. To reach the education and youth markets
19. To reach specialized markets
20. To serve your local market

A .com domain is considered the equivalent of prime real-estate on the Web. Most companies will place a premium on owning a .com name over any other domain extension.

Two other international top domains, .net and .org, are also popular. Although .net is officially reserved for network associations such as Internet Service Providers, anyone can register a .net name. 

Another extension, .org, is supposed to be for non-profit organizations, but again the rule is not enforced and anyone can buy .org names. The .net and .org names are less desirable, but sometimes they are the only options if the .com domain name you want is already taken.

Most countries now have their own top domains, such as .uk for the United Kingdom or .fr for France. The rules for buying domain names under each country top domain vary from country to country.

• Does your business rely on communication with employees, customers, associates, vendors?
• Does your business rely on profit from sales of a product or service to remain in business?
• Does your business rely on donations or volunteers to remain in business?
• Would you gain a competitive advantage if you improved customer service and expanded your company's visibility?
• Would customer feedback help you meet your customer's needs and increase profits?
• Do your products or services require substantial consumer education or after-sale support?
• Would improved communication with your customers help obtain new or repeat business?
• Would you expand into new markets (geographic areas) if you could do so cost effectively?
• Would you like to compete with the "big dogs" in your industry?
• Are your costs for marketing via traditional channels (news print, radio, printed catalogs, postage) continuing to rise?
• Would you like to provide sales and customer service 24 hours a day using no additional personnel?

... then, you need a Web site!

• Use web address stickers... Not ready to reprint your stationery? Print small, coordinating labels that feature your online address and a note inviting people to visit. Stick them on outgoing envelopes, on seminar folders, on the backs of your business cards, and more.
• Put your URL (web address) in your print ads... This extends the use of a small print ad since more wired readers can get more details about your offerings instantly, 24 hours a day. But, include your phone number and street address in your print ads, too.
• Include your URL in answering machine messages... For those who call your office outside of office hours, why not spell out your web address in your message so they can immediately help themselves to the information they need?
• Utilize your on-hold message as well... Instead of playing "Disco Fever" for customers while they wait on the line for a representative, you can tell them that if they're calling for directions, prices, return policies, your FAX number, and such, they can surf on over to your web site.
• Ask for links... Visit non-competing informational sites in your area of expertise and ask the owners to add links to your site. This works best when your site includes useful informational resources rather than strictly promotional material.
• Exchange links... Before requesting links, add a section to your site that contains links to related businesses. Then, contact the webmasters of those sites to request a return link.
• Start an e-mail newsletter... Some say showing up in your customers' mailboxes every week or month with updates, schedules, sale prices, or industry news is even more valuable than the web site itself. Somewhere in the newsletter, tell readers to check out your web site for more information on related subjects.
• Host a giveaway... Announce a drawing for a free something-or-other once a week or once a month. Those who register at your site during that month (and people can re-register every month) are eligible.
• Consider outside signage... Conventional signs can be very effective. Having your web site address on the side of your building is a great way to publicize your site. Or, consider bumper stickers on your vehicles.
• Encourage people to bookmark your site... Remind visitors to your site to bookmark your site (add it to their favorites' list).
• Use your e-mail signature option... At the end of every e-mail message you send, include your URL with your signature.
• Print T-shirts... Order custom-made shirts and wear your web address on your back. Or, sponsor a softball or soccer team who will wear them, or use them as giveaways for a special promotion.

Back to Top

This business founded on Wednesday, June 16, 1999.

BK Web Works, © 2004, All Rights Reserved
10518 LIV 2313, Chillicothe, MO 64601
Email BK