In terms of life-changing technologies, there are many that believe the Internet must surely share the same status as the telephone, the television, the automobile and even the aeroplane; there are others who insist it merits a much higher rating. Certainly the last one hundred years has seen giant leaps and advances in all these innovations, but it is perhaps the Internet itself that has fired the public imagination more than most. In the very early days of the Internet, most people had never heard of a website, didn't know the meaning of the word cyberspace and hadn't a clue what a 'dot com' was. Starting with what was effectively a blank canvas, designers began creating websites that in the main were commissioned by companies who saw the world of cyberspace as the way forward, and as with any new technology or product, the first examples are often crude, basic or both and early websites were no different. As more sophisticated design programs became available, websites started to become more colourful, more interactive but perhaps most importantly, more eye-catching. Innovative animation and graphics displays held the attention of visitors, which often resulted in them returning to the site to show others what the Internet could do; interest rocketed, and so began the expansion of the World Wide Web. Being a visual medium, the look of a company website is crucial when it comes to attracting customers, and many companies have built good working relationships with other companies simply because of a well presented website. There are even instances where businesses have traded with each other for long periods of time without anyone from either company ever meeting; it's strange but it seems to work. It is a known fact that the Internet is not some exclusive club frequented by an elite; the Internet is open to anyone and everyone enabling them to work, play, communicate, advertise, buy or sell, and is unquestionably the catalyst responsible for the unprecedented explosion of home-based businesses throughout the world; this is where the Internet has had the biggest impact on our lives. At last, here was something that would allow anyone with a computer and a good idea to effectively compete with other businesses regardless of their location or size. Many saw the simplicity and potential in working for themselves from their own homes via a computer, and many have since achieved immense success doing just that. Perhaps not surprisingly and because of fierce competition, it also means there is a certain level of deception employed by small home businesses in an effort to appear bigger than they are and to 'mix it' with the bigger players. Talented self-taught designers and computer-savvy individuals are working from sheds and bedrooms around the globe creating professional high-quality websites that allow them and their businesses to compete on an equal footing with their larger competitors. However, it must also be said, that if they are supplying their clients with an equally high-quality service or product at a fair price, then they can only be accused of extreme confidence, and deserve only admiration for their ingenuity, and proves that in these instances, size really doesn't matter! It's true that many businesses still rely on referrals and their reputations to attract and maintain clients, and this is no bad thing; some things are still best done the old-fashioned way. However, as stated previously, the Internet is a visual medium, and no matter how good a company's reputation is or how highly recommended they come, a potential client will almost always look at that company's website before deciding whether or not to make contact. It's up to that company to ensure their website makes that contact happen. This article is the property of the author and may only be reproduced in its original form. |
