Web hosting firm offers 4 key reasons small businesses should invest in their own domain name.
Jesse Somer, an analyst at M6.net, a
Web hosting company, sent us this list of reasons for small businesses to take
the leap and invest in their own domain name.
Somer says the potential involved with
having a domain name/Web site is staggering. "A Web site gives the consumer a
‘shop front’ that is not only open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but is
also situated right on their desktop," he says. "Customers can access
information on all your products -- no more salesperson trying to explain
something they know little about. No more waiting in lines for help, since
everyone has access immediately."
But once you decide on putting up a Web
site, you need a domain name, he says. Somer offers these reasons why investing
in your own domain name – rather than hopping on a consumer-based portal like
Yahoo – makes sense for the small business owner:
1. Frees up the
business process. Having your own name lets you build infinite e-mail
addresses that can be used to streamline customer interactions with your
company, he says. For example, sales@Mary’s_Plants.com will put shoppers in
direct contact with Mary’s sales section. Similarly, service@Mary’s_Plants.com will connect them with customer service.
2. Adds
professional authenticity. As a business, you don’t want your e-mail
address or Web site affiliated with other companies. It’s best to build your
brand, not your site host’s brand.
3. Leads to better
service. A domain name-based e-mail system streamlines service, Somer
says. Instead of having to put clients on hold because of limited personnel,
innumerable e-mails can arrive at once, even when there’s no one in the office.
Then you can pick and choose which merit an immediate reply, leaving people who
are just browsing until later. "First come, first serve becomes obsolete as more
profitable customers automatically reach the front of the line," he
says.
4. Lowers
risk. Getting a Web site and domain name is easy and cost-effective, he
says. Some sites can register your domain name for less than $15 per year. "That
is definitely a very limited risk compared to opening a store, renting a
location and sinking thousands of dollars in overhead costs," he says.
For more information, contact Somer at
M6.net.
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