First Written on July August 03, 2008 Revised and Updated Friday, February 19, 2010 Why a web site is necessary for a business ? The internet has changed the rules of the way we conduct our businesses. In the beginning stages of the development of the internet, it was restricted to the military, elite and big businesses. I know a big businessman and industrialist who said that he does not believe in it and thinks all such businesses are frauds. I could not convince him otherwise. There are many more who use free e-mail services but do not have their own web sites and e-mails. What a pity. It is being penny wise, pound foolish. No business can afford not to have a web site and its own e-mail system. It is also not expensive. We at MMG offer complete world-class packages for as low as USD 0.28 per month. If people want information, they just refer to the internet. Nobody reads newspapers and yellow pages first. They come in later when some specific information is needed. If a business web site is not available on the internet, it does not exist in the minds of the prospect. It is a reality all must accept. I will give you some reasons as to why all businesses must exist on the web whether they do e-commerce on the web or not.  It increases visibility. People come to know about you and aware of you. This is the first step. It does not mean business will come pouring through your roof top. Not having it means you do not exist.  It increases your reach - You can get customers from any part of the world. You would not know them even in your dreams. It improves your customer service, awareness and perception - People are happy when they find information they want. Your image goes up.  It increases your competitive edge over competition. You may be in such a business where there may be thousands like you. If they do not have web presence but you have don't you think you have a strategic advantage ? It improves credibility. It shows the world that you are a serious player and willing to invest time and money in developing a web site even though it may not bring in any revenue in the short term.  It is not expensive and you do not need any web developers and IT specialists. I did everything related to our web site for 8 years till we decided to branch out into web based services. I did not know anything related to the technology when I started and learnt everything myself.  You do not need any fancy looking web sites. The content is important. If you offer anything of value to visitors people will come. Google search is so powerful that it can locate anything on the web. My article 'Leadership examples from real life and history is ranked first in the first page out of 288,000,000 million pages !! I was a nobody and an insignificant dust in the cosmos before I went on the internet. Now if you are convinced about it get up and do something about it.  Written  by Madhavan T Gopalachary The views, opinions and interpretations are personal. Sponsorship does not mean that the sponsors endorse them. © Copyright, Feb-10 . MMG Communications. Without prejudice. All rights reserved