What can a web site do for your business?

It gives you instant credibility, if it’s a well done site! Potential clients expect you to have a web site and are often disappointed if you don’t.
It’s where people can immediately get more information about you after being exposed to your company name in a conversation, print ad or on a business card.
You can reduce your printing, advertising and direct mail costs. The web is much more cost-effective than print media.
Creative professionals (artists, writers, musicians) can use a web site to build a fan base and to create community.
Does your competition have a web site? If they do, they may have an edge over you. If they don’t, the edge belongs to you.
You can network with potential customers, clients, fans and allies all over the world.Take a look below at the statistics of online usage from http://www.internetworldstats.com

WORLD INTERNET USAGE AND POPULATION STATISTICS from http://www.internetworldstats.com
World Regions	Population ( 2007 Est.)	Population % of World	Internet Usage, Latest Data	% Population ( Penetration )	Usage % of World	Usage Growth 2000-2007
Africa	933,448,292	14.2 %	33,334,800	3.6 %	3.0 %	638.4% %
Asia	3,712,527,624	56.5 %	398,709,065	10.7 %	35.8 %	248.8% %
Europe	809,624,686	12.3 %	314,792,225	38.9 %	28.3%	199.5 %
Middle East	193,452,727	2.9 %	19,424,700	10.0 %	1.7 %	491.4 %
North America	334,538,018	5.1 %	233,188,086	69.7 %	20.9%	115.7 %
Latin America/Caribbean	556,606,627	8.5 %	96,386,009	17.3 %	8.7 %	433.4 %
Oceania / Australia	34,468,443	0.5 %	18,439,541	53.5 %	1.7 %	142.0 %
WORLD TOTAL	6,574,666,417	100.0 %	1,114,274,426	16.9 %	100.0 %	208.7 %
NOTES: (1) Internet Usage and World Population Statistics were updated on Mar. 10, 2007. (2) CLICK on each world region for detailed regional information. (3) Demographic (Population) numbers are based on data contained in the world-gazetteer website. (4) Internet usage information comes from data published by Nielsen//NetRatings, by the International Telecommunications Union, by local NICs, and other other reliable sources. (5) For definitions, disclaimer, and navigation help, see the Site Surfing Guide. (6) Information from this site may be cited, giving due credit and establishing an active link back to www.internetworldstats.com. Copyright © 2007, Miniwatts Marketing Group. All rights reserved worldwide.

You can cut down on the amount of time you or your customer service reps spend on the phone answering questions, if you post information pages and FAQ’s (frequently asked questions) on your site.
You can receive immediate customer feedback about your services or products.
If you have a local business or organization, you can expand your client/customer base by being listed in the “regional” sections of directories like Yahoo and Google.
You can open an online store at a fraction of the cost of a “bricks and mortar” store. No rent, utilities and other overhead costs — just photos, detailed product information pages and a user-friendly shopping cart system.
Your store is always open, 24 hours a day.
Your site is your “home” on the world wide web. Let it reflect your values, your personality and your spirit.