In today's tech savvy world, terms such as "world wide web" and "Internet" are common place. The Internet has now grown to such heights that currently there are 60 million users in the world. Web users are becoming increasingly diversified, ranging from all different age groups and ethnicities. The Internet has clearly revolutionized how people search for information and conduct business and has thus firmly placed the world in the "digital age".

One of the most important is the global reach of a website. A website will allow interested users to find out about your research easily and quickly. If reaching such a wide range of users is important to your program/centre then a website will be one of the best and most cost-effective ways to do this

A website can act as an effective advertisement for your research and its achievements. This may be important for attracting other investment or new staff.

What do websites offer that traditional marketing methods do not? First of all, due to the magnitude of users of different ages and backgrounds, websites have given businesses an opportunity to target desired customers in a truly unique way. Perhaps a consumer sees an ad for a product or service on television or via a billboard on the highway. They may want to learn more but do not remember the phone number or the address, but it is far easier for them to remember the website address such as "www.swayamsoftware.com". Here we see something extremely valuable: it is no longer the business that is advertising to unwanted consumers, it is the consumers who are seeking out the website.

You may ask yourself the question, "My business is ticking over nicely, why should I pay for a well designed website?"

Your website is open 24/7

A website allows your business to be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are millions of people, from all over the world, online at any time of the day. Many of them are looking to source products or services. If you run a conventional brick and mortar business, you can only attract the people who walk or drive past your shop, in any one day. Having a website designed for you allows you to attract new customers that would otherwise never find you - and they can do so when your shop is closed! A well designed web site also gives them a reason to revisit the site in the future.

Websites increase customer confidence

A professional, well designed website, with the right content, easy navigation and quickly accessible contact details, greatly increases customer confidence in your company. A well designed website shows people that you are forward thinking and customer focused, much in the way a well designed business card did in the past, which is an important factor in any buying decision that they have to make.

Websites increase customer referrals

What is easier to remember, mysite.com or 01215501528?
A website address is much easier to remember than a telephone number, so it stands to reason that having a website increases the likelihood of referrals - and let's face it, referrals are one of the most important sources of new business.

A website address increases the ROI when advertising

Including your website address on all of your adverts, business cards, letterheads, invoices, etc allows people to take action straight away, when they view an advert, or hear about your product or service. Visiting your website is so much easier than driving to your store, telephoning or writing a letter to you. When online, a potential customer can take their time and enjoy finding out about your products or services without the pressure of having a salesman floating about in the background.

Website sales

Your website is one of the most impressive sales presentations that you will ever have. Allowing your customers to buy your products or services online is a wonderful and inexpensive way to expand your business. Spending thousands on advertising, for an ad that is featured in one mag, for one month simply doesn't compare to investing in a long term sales marketing solution - or a well designed website as we like to call them!
Even if you do not offer a product or service that can easily be purchased over the internet, a website still acts as an impressive first contact, convincing the potential customer that they need what you are offering and inviting them to contact you, via telephone, email or contact form on your website.

Websites promote future business

When a potential customer comes into your shop and leaves without making a purchase and without speaking to anyone, they are basically a dead prospect. When someone views your well designed website and doesn't make a purchase straight away, they can easily revisit anytime to make the purchase in the future. On top of that, you can use your website to collect the email addresses of visitors and send them periodical promotional emails, newsletters or updates on your product or service. So although they may not buy first time around, you have more than one opportunity to close the sale!

So there you go, what are you waiting for?
Don't waste time -get a well designed website now!