Large corporations and start-ups globally have professional business websites. These websites ensure that the business is available and, accessible to its existing and potential customers all the time. Potential customers can find the products and, services offered via search engines such as Google. A well designed website will allow clients to go online and, research about the services and, products a business offers at the comfort and convenience of their home. For instance, a car repair and spare parts sale business can make good use of a well-developed website to market its products and services.
A car repair and spare parts sale company can use the brand extension model while coming up with its website. Brand extension model is the most widely used online business model. Every successful business always works towards creating a brand that will distinguish it from its competitors. Hence, when creating the website, this business should ensure that its brand communication is clearly outlined for ease of understanding by its customers.
The business can derive many benefits from its website. A good website will add credibility to the business and, help it be up-to-date with the newest technological developments in the industry. An online presence will add trustworthiness and, show the potential clients that the business is serious in providing the car repairs and sale of spare parts. It will also highlight how the business is current on the newest technology (Potts, 2007). It is evident that businesses that are technologically updated also have the latest innovations. It will enable existing and, potential customers to rely on the business in offering the best services and products in the market. Hence, this will lead to an expanded market base.
A good website can also be used to improve customer service. It is vital for any business to always request for a feedback from their clients about the services and products they offer. When coming up with the website, the business should ensure that they include a feedback form. A feedback form will provide an invaluable platform where the clients can provide their experiences with the services and products they received (Potts, 2007). Such feedback will enable the business to identify its strengths and weaknesses and, work towards improving any limitations identified.
The business can also use the website to conduct market research cheaply. Market research can be conducted online by conducting online surveys and, analyzing website statistics such as the number of people who visit the site on a daily basis and, their feedback on certain aspects of the business (Potts, 2007). It will help the business spend less on conducting manual market research.
Before coming up with the website, it is important for the business to thoroughly outline the functional specifications for the use of the website. Functional specifications include details of how the final website will look like and, how users will interact with it. For the car repair and spare parts sale business, their functional specifications should consider what the website will be supposed to do, the people who will be using the website, the website metrics and, comparison to any other similar website. For instance, the Auto Repair Co (http://www.autorepair.co.nz/) which is in New Zealand has a website that mirrors the website the business needs. The website clearly details the services offered by the company and, the intended users are mostly the clients who visit the company for its products and services.
Functional specifications are also vital in the implementation of the website. For instance, the business will be required to set up servers and, acquire computers and, laptops for its staff that will be responsible for managing the website. Additionally, these computers will require additional software such as web browsers and anti-virus software. Some of the software are open source while others must be purchased.
Finally, the business can also use social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Google+, Foursquare and Twitter to enhance its business success. Social media can be used to productively market the business. The main reason is because millions of people can access social media. Therefore, it provides a wide market reach (Evans, 2010). The business can be able to target specific groups since social media platforms like Foursquare and, Facebook provide users with ability to create groups. Success is guaranteed if the social media platforms are used correctly.
References
Potts, K. (2007). Web design and marketing solutions for business websites. Berkeley, CA: Friends of Ed ;.
Evans, D. (2010). Social media marketing the next generation of business engagement. Indianapolis, Ind.: Wiley Technology Pub..
