Consulting Services

The internet can be used to level the business playing field. It is up to us to use this technology to our advantage. The first step is to understand the technology and create a presence. These are a few Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) to help you think about your web design.

  1. What is the purpose of a website?
  2. Why do I need a website?
  3. What goes on a website?
  4. What are the pitfalls to avoid?
  5. How do I get potential customers to see my website?

What is the purpose of a website?

  • To market your business to potential new customers by showing them your product/services and any advertising (newspapers, etc) that have been published on your business
  • To answer basic questions a new customer would have about your business so you don't have to
  • To show what unique skills you bring to your business
  • To give contact information for your customer to buy your products/services and/or ask additional questions

Why do I need a website?

  • Consumers are moving away from searching for businesses through the yellow pages. They are looking for more information than the yellow page can provide and are turning toward the internet to find information.
  • If you are not on the internet, you are not in business.
  • The internet is open 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. This vehicle allows your business to operate even when your store is closed.
  • Its an easy way for a person to share information about your business. The information travels a lot faster through the emails than a phone conversation. A customer can just forward the website address.

What goes on a website?

The following details a general business. There will be variation for different businesses. For example, a church, community center or museum (any business with a lot of foot traffic) should have a calendar. Newman Networks will visit your business and get a general feel to come up with a web design that suits your business. We will also help select a web designer, gather the data (text and pictures to fit the design) and serve as the liaison to ensure your website reflects your business.

  • HOME -- Your website can be thought of as a book. The first page is the table of contents. This page should be interesting to the naked eye. It should possess a picture since a picture is a worth a thousand words and should tell what chapters are in the book. This is the first page a potential customer will see.
  • ABOUT US - Your website should have a brief summary about your business and why the business was started and what is the mission of the business. Your mission should show why your business is different from your competition.
  • TESTIMONIALS – this can come from your current customers or print advertising. Print advertising (newspaper articles) has an edge because it is an unbiased opinion.
  • PORTFOLIO – only needed in a service business to show the work that has been completed.
  • PRODUCT/SERVICES – a description of each product that details how it will help the customer. The best information is Price. Consumers base decisions on price and part of the value in doing business with you is your Price (along with your level of service.)
  • CONTACT US – a quick and easy way to contact. Your contact is an address, phone number, fax number and e-mail address. E-mail is important because it allows your business to communicate even when the store is closed.

What are the pitfalls to avoid?

  • Maintenance Contracts – your website is the open door to your business. The business must be able to control how often the site changes. The site will change as your business offers different products or services. Negotiate will the web designer that you need the ability to modify your site. Changing your site can even be easily done – so easy that you can do it in Microsoft Word
  • Marketing a variety of unrelated products on your site. This makes your business look unorganized.

How do I get potential customers to see my website?

  • Keywords - These are phrases that are often searched in Internet portals like YAHOO, GOOGLE, AOL and MSN. Make sure your mark these words on your site so your site will appear when the words are searched. Remember, listing in these searches is not FREE! There is a cost incurred if your business wants to be listed.
  • List your site on a variety of internet portals. These portals are usually smaller than the major portals but can target a specific market. Place your bets and list on as many as possible to attract a wide audience. Some portals for minority owned businesses are www.DiversePhilly.com;, www.BOandO.com;, www.blackbusinesslist.com; , www.urbanphilly.com;, and www.blacksbuyingblack.com.
  • Include your website in print media. Publish the address on business cards, on newspaper ads and on signs for your store. MAKE IT VISIBLE!!!