The Business Show Guide November

Why YOUR business needs to be online
Despite the rise in entrepreneurial activity in the UK since the global recession in 2008,
it is astonishing that 50 per cent of UK SMEs are still without an online presence.
Getting online
This statistic is particularly surprising especially when
considering the opportunities that being online present a
small business. Coupled with this, research from Verisign,
the .com domain name registry, reveals that globally, 56% of
consumers do not trust brands without a website.
It is imperative that business owners do not view being
‘online’ as an obstacle. For many it may seem overwhelming
and a lot of hard work but in reality, creating an online
presence is very simple. Gone are the days when businesses
need to spend considerable amounts of money on domains,
websites and even designers to create bespoke websites.
Today, a successful business can do everything themselves
online, in a cost effective way.
For a business looking to set up, getting
online all starts with the domain name.
Domains make up a business’s core
online identity and they have the power to
set a company apart. The most important
domain names are .com, .net, .org and
.co.uk (or the specific country level tld
to the country in which the business
operates). We encourage businesses
to invest in as many of these domain
choices as possible.
Why get online?
industries and sectors; further pointing to the importance of
an online presence.
Email communication is a further example of how a business’s
domain can add trust for a consumer. Even the smallest
company will communicate through this medium and a
customer or prospective client is far more likely to engage
with a business that has an email like companyname@
companyname.com as opposed to companyname@hotmail.
com.
Websites
• 56% of consumers don’t trust
businesses who aren’t online
• Lower start-up costs
• Much larger audience
• Improve customer relations
The website market has changed over the past ten years
and the major change has been in the rise of do-it-yourself
websites. Template driven websites
give a small business an individualised
and professional website, which can
be edited and modified at the click of a
button.
The power is moving from those that
can afford a high end customised
solution - offering individuals and
businesses fully automated easy to use
products to get online.
NEW domains
Over the next two years, the domain market is set for a
landmark change. The introduction of new generic Top
Level Domains (gTLD’s) will mean that businesses will be
able to supplement their .com and .co.uk web addresses
with a sector focused extension such as .shop or .plumber.
This seismic shift in the market will give businesses an even
greater opportunity to associate themselves closer to specific
One more thing...
It is essential that a small businesses strategy in 2014
encompasses a strong online identity, especially when
considering the rise in online activity since the economic
downturn. Those businesses that understand the distinctions
and importance of having an online presence will be in a
stronger position to take advantage of the growing business
opportunities online.
Come and see 123-reg at Stand 900 to learn how we can
help to take your business idea to the next level.