ereaing n online presence

HE Internet enables people all over the world to get information on products and'senices and to use that information to their advantage. In such


- an environment, it is essential that consumers ·are aware of your business, its products and services. Over 81 million Indians now have access to the Internetl and over 1.6 billion2 Internet users exist worldwide, making it a rich and powerful medium to create aware­ness of your business. Your Web site makes your busi­ness visible to these Internet users.

In this series of articles, we have covered many top­ics that persuade and guide you in creating and pro­moting your Web site. Here's a quick recap:
An online presence is a business must have. Busting the myths: establish the right presence online. Build a Web site that works for your business. Promote your business online in a cost effective way. An online presence is a business must have: The Internet
helps you reach out to a large number of consumers both in your neighborhood and globally, irrespective of how large or small your business is. In fact it presents a great opportunity for small businesses to play up their strengths and help to compete with their bigger rivals.

A good business Web site can work for you in many different ways. A Web site can help project a more pro­fessional and well-established image of your business. A Web site is a great way to keep in touch with cus­tomers, disseminate information on your products and solutions and sell products online. It could be your first point of contact with customers and prospects, investors and even people you want to hire. Think of your Web site as your business card in action 24 hours a day, sev­en days a week.

Establish the right presence online: Prior to conducting business on the Internet, an important first step is to select and register a domain name that helps boost your company's visibility on the Web. A .com domain name offers you one of the best options as it helps provide instant recognition, visibility and credibility for your
brand online. A .com is appropriate for businesses of all sizes and it is currently the most widely used domain name extension around the world.3

Build a Web site that works for your business: A Web site should be visual­ly appealing and professional. A Web site will reflect your company's identi­ty and, in some cases, may be the first impression a potential customer receives of your company. It is usually best to keep away from a complex design, as it detracts from your message. Elements such as content, visual aids and the nav­igation should be considered carefully as these can lend to making your Web site effective in .terms of being able to capture the attention of visitors who may want to buy your company's products
and services.

Promote your business online in a cost-effec· tive way: Once you have built your Web site, an important phase begins-thatof promoting it so that more people can find

you online. By using tools such as search engine optimizatioD
(SEO)orbyexchang·

ing Web site links with busi· nesses that complement yours, there are a number of things you could do, Do remember to include your Web site address on all company marketing and sales materials. This helps intrproducts.
The time to build your Web site ani leverage it to grow your business is now.
So get started!
(The writer is country manager VeriSign India) 4