Black Business Owners in the Phoenix Area Need to Wake Up and Get on the Web!!
This blog is sort of a rehash of a column that I wrote in July titled, "Message to Black Business Owners in Phoenix: It's Wise to Advertise!"
However, this message bears repeating because I see way too many local business owners and organizations making the same mistake ...
What is that mistake?
They are not ONLINE!!
In the 21st century, there is NOOOO valid reason for an entrepreneur to open a restaurant, clothing store, nightclub, etc. or for an organization to recruit members or raise funds without having a Website! No valid reason!
A presence on the Internet is like a 24-hour-per-day/seven-day-per-week commercial for your business! You can write descriptions about your merchandise, services or event(s). You can add photos and videos. You can SELL your products and ship them to clients around the world! If you run a charity, you can collect donations online!
A Website will make your life easier because you don't have to spend hours on the phone or in meetings trying to encourage potential clients to do business with you. Your Website can do most of the work for you! Customers will respect you so much more if you are online because they can learn about your business without having to call! Trust me, a lot of people want to do their research about your company or organization on the Web before they make the physical effort to visit your store or office. If they can't find information on the Internet about you, they will most likely move on to another business!
How to Get a Website
If you don't have the technical skills to build your own Website, you should have funds set aside in your budget to hire a Web designer/developer. And don't be cheap! Be prepared to pay hundreds or even thousands to establish a high-quality Website that will allow you to sell products (e-commerce), receive donations and/or attract the customers you need to succeed!
How Do You Find a Trustworthy Web Designer/Developer?
Ask your friends and relatives if they could recommend anyone. Billions of people use the Internet! One of your loved ones has to know someone who can help you!
If that doesn't work, search on the Internet for professional Web design companies in your city.
Don't be cheap! Building and maintaining a Website takes A LOT of WORK! You should show your Web designer that you respect his/her craft and compensate him/her for that kind of expertise. Think about it ... what if all your customers asked you to give them your products and services for free? You'd go out of business FAST!
What About a Blog?
A blog could be an effective and inexpensive way to spread the word about your company or organization. A blog is like an online diary. You could write about your daily trials and tribulations as a business owner. The best aspect of a blog is that your readers can write responses to everything you publish. Having a blog shows the world that it is a priority for you to interact with your customers and members.
You can start a blog through publishing tools like:
If you have NO money for a Website, you should consider using one of the following FREE Web platforms to tell the world about your products or services:
If you have basic experience with the Internet, many of these FREE platforms make it easy for you to choose pre-designed templates and add your text to the Web pages.
You can even sell tickets for your events online (no upfront money) through Websites like Eventbrite.com or solicit donations with the help of PayPal.com.
What Do You Do After You've Established a Web Presence?
- You can't let your Website sit there - you have to tell everyone about it as often as you can!! It's like a garden, you have to give it constant attention to keep it alive and productive.
- Your Website address should be featured on your business cards and other marketing materials that you distribute to the public.
- If you have a brick-and-mortar store, you should have signs or banners that show your Website address.
- You should find other popular Websites and find ways to list your address on the message boards, guestbooks or other interactive areas.
- You should send press releases to local media that include your Website address.
- If you have the money to produce TV or radio commercials or set up outdoor billboards, make sure your Website address is visible!
Bottom Line
I know technology can be intimidating to people but ask yourself this question ... can you afford to miss out on an opportunity to expose your business or organization to hundreds, thousands or even millions of people per day?
PhxSoul.com encourages all black business owners to recognize that word-of-mouth marketing can only get you so far. If you have aspirations to find a nationwide or global audience, you need to get on the World Wide Web now!!
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