Are you truly optimizing the capabilities of your web site for your home business? If you are simply using your business web site to share and disseminate information, you might be missing the boat. People should be able to submit orders, do research, ask questions and even connect with one another on your web site in order to take full advantage of the possibilities.
Several years ago, a web site was seen more as a way to market and augment a “bricks and mortar” type businesses. We knew we needed to have a web site, but really more as a way of having a web presence than conducting real business. Now, entire businesses exist on the web and our customers and clients are increasingly savvy. People tend to go to the web or to a web site before they will actually pick up the phone and make an inquiring phone call. What this means for your business can be increased efficiency, but you have to get your web site ready to meet the needs and requirements of your customer base.
A functioning web site should allow individuals to make purchases and/or inquiries, send e-mails and ask questions, and even link to compatible sites. If you are a consulting business, for example, you may not have products to sell, but you can have informational pdfs or brochures available to download, a price list, information on how to contact you and what sort of services you offer, etc. If you provide a forums section, your customer and clients can even chat with each other or contact someone for a recommendation or testimonial. Think of your web site as your “store front” and customer service department all rolled into one and then try to figure out exactly what people might be wanting from your site. It is better to have more than people need and want than less.