Website, website, website, everyone says you need one. Butdo you really? It all depends. It depends on your market,business objectives, and even your comfort level and if youare willing to step outside of it.

If your customers live and work within a few miles of yourbrick and mortar business or home based business, you mightnot need one.

If you don't have any plans to grow your business, you mightnot need one.

If you're in denial and choose not to see that change isgoing to occur with or without you, then you might not needone.

If your community is small enough that you know everyone bytheir first name or can pass through the town in 30 secondsand you have enough business, then you might not need awebsite.

If you're comfortable where you are and don't want to changeanything, maybe you might not need one.

Fact: Change is inevitable. It is the only certainty,besides death, we both know is going to occur.

Fact: The Internet, as a communication media, is here tostay -- at least throughout the next few generations. Yes,it will evolve, just like televisions went from black andwhite to color, and now to flat screen. Just as dial upwent to DSL and now wireless.

Truth: If you aren't spending any money to advertise yourbusiness, it’s going to cost you to have a website. Howdeep depends on your needs, own skills, and the other who’sand what.

The Internet is like yesterday’s yellow pages. The numberof households owning a computer isn't tripling every yearlike it did in previous years, yet the do increase by 80%.More people learn to pay their bills online every year, andpostal letters to Aunt Jane fade. Aunt Jane, now 71, took aclass at the Senior Center, and hunts and pecks her lettersout on a keyboard. Once someone is introduced to how easyit is to use and the amount of information available with afew clicks, there isn't a generation gap or blocks, except adeterminate "no" mindset.

We'd like to think the Internet as new, however, it’s nownine years old -- that is for public access. The first fewyears, a website was for early adapters, forward thinkers,and those that embrace the latest trends or want to keep upwith the Jones? For the wait and seers, those who wait tosee how it pans out thinking it’s only a fad like CB radiosor mini-skirts, even you are past that opportunity peg onthe scale.

I'm sure you have heard the horror stories about spam,privacy invasion, or the spread of pornography. Yes, theyare all true, even if the media stretch the truth to itsfullest. These aren't new and you aren't going to keep themat bay if you don't have a website. All these were herebefore the Internet and aren't going to disappear anytimesoon. Yes, you will need to take precautions. Not anydifferent than knowing that it’s not safe to put outgoingmail in your mailbox for the mail person to pick up. Note:Rip-off artists can easily pick up the mail, copy yourcheck, and empty your bank account, all before you get outof the shower. Don't be surprised, this happens every day.It’s so old news, that the media doesn't mention it unlessthe mailboxes blow up.

Similar precautions you already take, like being carefulwith who you buy from, work with, knowing your vendors, orhaving insurance policies, to protect your business. Youwill need to still institute the same foresight.

There are more pros than cons when it comes to having awebsite. Below is a quick list of some of those truths.But before I present those, let me mention there are threebasics to creating a business presence whether handing outflyers, posting ad, or turning on your neon light, orsetting up a website, they are: (1) patience, (2) babysteps, and (3) having a plan even if it only includes thefirst few steps.

Truth: An Internet business presence allows smallbusinesses to compete with the big guys.

Truth: A website is the most cost-effective way toadvertise your services or products.

Truth: Every year there is a huge increase in the number ofpeople fulfilling their needs with information from theInternet.

Truth: The Net is open 24/7, 365 days a year to matchconsumer’s schedules. Millions of people turn on theircomputer every day to find thousands of dollars transferredto their bank account from orders placed while they wereasleep, at a meeting, or getting a tan in a salon or theBahamas.

Truth: Your business will no longer be local. I now havecustomers from 18 countries. I still shake my head in aweas my staff package a shipment bound for New Zealand orthere are six countries represented in one of myteleprograms. It is a humbling affect and gets me singingWalt Disney’s tune, "It’s a Small World After All."

Truth: The speed by which commerce travels increasesphonemically every year due to the Internet.

There are hundreds of truths on why and how your businesscan expand with a presence on the Internet. The negativeside has less than 20. However, a website boils down toyour choice. People can explain the pros and cons untilthey are blue in the face. You can conjure up tons ofexcuses, fears, or reasons why not to.

The bottom line is, "Are they the truth?" The answer is,"Most likely not."

?Copyright 2004, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.