What Makes a Good Service Business Web Site?

The Web has become a very important marketing and commercial tool in recent years. Though there are still many small business owners whose businesses are offline -- e.g. landscape designer, house cleaners, etc. -- that still need convincing with regards to having a presence on the Web. Since their businesses do not involve the Internet, they don't see the point of spending resources creating their own websites.

They couldn't be more wrong. The Web can help boost the ability of businesses, even those operating offline, to reach their target customers.

If you are a service business owner and looking to create a presence on the Web, the first step is to clarify what you want your website to do and who your customers are. Will your website act as a brochure that's easily available to people on the Web? Will it serve as your way to communicate with your customers?

Here are things you need to consider to create a good service business website:

1. Your web site needs to contain all the information about your business

• what services do you provide
• why should they go to you instead of your competitors: give a list of BENEFITS you can provide to the customer
• who are you
• where are you located
• what is your pricing or if you choose not to post your pricing, how can the visitor get information on your pricing

2. Your website must be able to elicit the trust of your visitors

• clear way to contact you preferably with a toll free phone number
• your picture or that of your staff so visitors will know that you are a real person
• testimonials from previous clients

3. Provide an easy way to order your services

• think of the best way you can best provide services, considering that most of your services may be local
• for existing clients, how can they use the website to contact you?

4. Your website must be functioning optimally

• good and simple web design
• fast loading time
• well optimized for the search engines
• easy to navigate