Whether you're choosing to have a website developed for the first time, or hoping to improve an existing one, the multitude of choices involved in this endeavor can be daunting. Formulating an organized thought process may be all that's required in simplifying the task. We'd like to guide you through the chaos by providing some information to alleviate your confusion and help you to ask the right questions.

Synergy Network realizes that regardless of site design or intention of outcome, creating an online presence is done for one reason; to positively affect your bottom line. We've created an outline that will help you to better define your needs, and in turn, help us to develop a highly effective marketing tool for your business.

Why the Web?

To increase the perceived level of professionalism and give credibility to your company
Do this by providing facts to back up any claims you make, giving details of company background, and by offering testimonials or guarantees.

To reach a market outside of your local area
The web is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to anyone in the world who is online.

To enhance an existing advertising campaign
A website is more than an electronic billboard; it can be a live, interactive extension of your business style, goals and philosophy.

To remain competitive
If your competitors are there, you must be there.

To personalize service
By delivering content based on customer profiles, purchase histories, and requests.

To educate
thus creating a more qualified customer.

To improve customer service
By allowing customers to order products and services, check on status of orders, and ask questions.

To lower operating costs
By reducing paperwork, and by allowing the website to answer questions, thus freeing up sales representatives to become more productive.

Who To Turn To?

A company who understands both marketing and web development. The web can be one of the most powerful advertising and marketing arenas you will compete in today.

An established company experienced with web design, development, and programming. Competency and talent are required to create a functional yet compelling site.

A company who can troubleshoot potential problems and offer solid solutions with photography, graphic design and ad copy support. It is not enough to simply throw up a website. It must be used as an effective marketing tool. Not only should you complement existing advertising, but you must also know how to capture an online market.

What Are My Goals?

To create a self-sufficient online business?
In this day and age it has become possible to create an entirely web-based business, a "virtual" store that exists only online.

To showcase my inventory or display an online portfolio?
What better way to save your company both time and money than by allowing customers to know you through your website?

To provide e-commerce convenience to my customers?
Do not underestimate what has become a billion-dollar industry. It may become necessary to sell to your customers in their homes or offices to remain competitive.

To establish an additional form of advertising?
Exposure, exposure, exposure is the only way to become recognized by potential customers. The Internet is viewed by millions of professionals all over the world, daily.

To communicate more openly and easily with my clients?
Understanding and quickly satisfying the needs of your customers is what will create repeat business for your company. Positive word of mouth is essential to long-term success, and words travel with lightening speed in today's technology.

When Am I Ready?

When you know what your competition is doing.
Finding out how your competition is measuring up online is key to defining how your website must compete. Ask yourself: Are they providing e-commerce convenience? Is the site compelling and effective? What is the site's weakness? Most importantly, how should you position your business to better appeal to your client base?

When you've defined and evaluated your audience.
Are they online, and if so, what level of Internet sophistication do they possess? How do you appeal to their needs? What are they looking for in a website: information, e-commerce, product or sales support, etc.?

When staff or specific personnel understand the basic structure the Internet and the demands of online marketing.
Who will respond to requests and questions posed on your site by your customers? You must be prepared to follow up in a timely fashion with all of your online inquiries to remain professional. Do you have a staff that's comfortable with responding to a live marketing vehicle?

When you have determined how much additional advertising you are able to do to promote your website.
A website is a misuse of potential if you don't take the necessary steps to push traffic to your site. You must integrate your web address into all existing forms of advertising, i.e. business cards, letterhead, brochures, catalogs, and yellow page ads. Submitting a press release to announce your arrival on the web is advisable. Listing your address on all of the most popular search engines ensures that not only are you listed where your competition is, but you are easily accessed by those who are unsure of your address.

When you have determined your budget.
It is difficult to customize a site that satisfies your company's needs and meets your levels of expectations if you have no concept of budget. There must be a starting point from which we focus our development. Remember, unlike printed marketing materials, a website can be continually changed, updated, and upgraded. We can better develop a site in the short term if we know your long-term goals and budget from the start.

When you know what to reasonably expect from your site.
Successful sites are fluid and not at all stagnant, meaning, as they mature, they get smarter and work better. Be prepared for a slow, gradual increase into productivity. You will learn as you progress what your audience needs and desires from your site. There is a certain amount of fine-tuning involved that can only come from experience online. There is no such thing as revolutionizing your business overnight, though you will in time transform your current levels of communication, service, and customer base.