Frequently Asked Questions
Please feel free to submit your questions. We will provide feedback to all inquiries and post those questions and answers here that may benefit others.
Why do I need a marketing Plan?
Why do I need you to manage my marketing plan?
How Long will it take to get my web site online?
I don't know if I am ready for my own web site. Isn't it complicated?
What is Search Engine Optimization?
There are a lot of web design companies out there. Many offer package deals, why don't you?
How much will I need to spend on a website?
How will a website help my business?
Why do I need a marketing plan?
Marketing is one of the most important parts of your business. Your products, services and storefront can be the greatest things since sliced bread; but if no one knows you are there it doesn't matter.
A marketing plan is a guide designed to keep you moving forward throughout the course of the year. It isn't etched in stone, you undoubtedly will deviate from the plan. But that, in reality, is part of any good marketing plan. The marketing plan will do several things for you.
- The process of creating the marketing plan provides you with better insight and knowledge about your business that will do nothing but help you succeed!
- It will provide a guide for you to follow when you start to loose focus on your marketing . . . it is bound to happen; business owners often wear multiple hats.
- It will help you to spend your marketing dollars where they do you the most good!
Why do I need you to manage my marketing plan?
Having a marketing plan is good . . . but you do need to work it to get the most out of it. Someone needs to take the time to create and execute the marketing campaigns within the plan. Someone also needs to take the time to track and evaluate the effectiveness of each marketing campaign.
Having us manage your marketing plan has several benefits:
- It will free up your time.
- We bring specialized skills to your business.
- We bring a unique perspective to the process - you may be too close to your business to provide an unbiased point of view.
- We act as a buffer between you and salespeople; our motivation is to help you spend your marketing dollars where it does the most good for you. A salesperson is motivated to sell you as much of their product as they possibly can.
How Long will it take to get my web site online?
There are many factors that will effect how long a project takes to complete. The scope of the project certainly has a direct impact on completion time.
Another factor is the amount of time you have to dedicate to the project. During the course of a project there will be times that we will need some input from you. Often business owners find that other activities in their business take priority for short periods of time during the development process.
We work to make your web development project as stress free as possible and work at your pace.
To learn more please call and speak with a customer service representative.
I don't know if I am ready for my own web site. Isn't it complicated?
Yes, web sites can be complicated. Our goal is to remove the fear and intimidation of having a web site from your playing field. You have enough to do running your own business, we can handle the web for you.
Please call to schedule a visit with one of our representatives, we can discuss the pros and cons of a web presence and how it relates to you and your business.
What is Search Engine Optimization?
Everyone wants their web site to appear at the top of the Search Engine Results Page (SERP). The trouble is that there are tons of sites on the internet, and there are a variety of methods search engines use to determine your position within their SERP.
Search Engine Optimization is a process utilized in the development of a web site that makes your site more search engine friendly. The goal of the search engine is to return results to their viewers that are relevant to their search. The more you can do to help them out the better off you are.
This area of Web Development is very difficult to master.
There are a lot of web design companies out there. Many offer package deals, why don't you?
We believe the way to provide the best value is to create custom solutions for your needs. Nobody's needs are exactly alike, why pay for something you don't need? The best way I can demonstrate this point is to relate it to my printer. Most color printers have a single color cartridge for color printing. When one color runs out, you replace the cartridge and throw the old one away. The problem is that the cartridge still contains three colors of ink. If the Yellow runs out you are throwing perfectly good Cyan and Magenta ink away.
My printer takes three separate cartridges for color printing (Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow). When I run out of yellow ink I don't run out and buy a "three pack" which includes one cartridge of each color, I purchase a single cartridge of yellow ink. This is a much better deal, for me. It fits my needs while providing a greater value.
How much will I need to spend on a website?
The amount of money you will need to spend will depend upon your web needs. The costs involved will include three basic areas, they are Web Design; Web Hosting; and Domain Registration.
Web Design costs are determined by how involved your web site will be. Web sites range from basic information only web sites to complex e-commerce sites that allow your customers to shop online. The costs involved vary depending upon the features incorporated into the site.
Web Hosting fees are the monthly fees you will need to pay to have your web site hosted on a server. The web server is the 'box' that shows your web site to people when they visit your site. The fees for this service vary as well depending upon any optional services you may want included.
Domain name registration is the process of leasing the right to use your domain name. While you are leasing the domain name you hold the exclusive rights for using it. The cost varies on this as well. You can register a domain name yearly or in blocks up to 10 years at a time.
To determine your exact costs for a web project all you need to do is give us a call. We will be happy to provide you with a free consultation where we can discuss all your needs and answer all of your questions in detail.
How will a website help my business?
There are many ways in which a web site can help a business. The most obvious of course is exposure. Your business can benefit from local exposure as well as exposure throughout the state, nation, and even world wide markets.
Another benefit is the value of perception. Many customers will see your business as a leader in the market. As a business owner I am sure you strive to create a relationship with your customers where they know you are trustworthy, reliable, and competent. A web site can be a valuable tool for this.
The most powerful piece of a web site is the content. What does the web site offer the customer? The content of a web site is as limitless as a persons imagination. A well designed web site will meet the needs of your target audience. You can provide online shopping, forums, answers to questions, newsletters, calendars of events related to your business . . . the list is endless!
Haas Consulting - Marketing & Marketing Management Services, 135 3rd Avenue SE, Hutchinson, MN 55350