Internet - The World Wide Web
Business Practices and Online Goals

Business Practices and Online Goals

After all, that is probably the reason you picked up this article in the first place. But have you given thought to the other things you can do online?

When the time comes to figure out what you want your Web site to accomplish for your business, you need to think about all aspects of your business plan. How do you do business with customers now, and how do you expect to do business with them online?

No Web solution is going to do everything. There is no such thing as being all things to all customers. Does your business rely on personal communication? Real, interpersonal communication is difficult to achieve on the Net, so if your business practices depend on it, you will have to build your site to approximate the personal feeling your company usually presents.

Does your business rely on fast order processing? The Internet is perfect for quick business transactions, but if this is how you do business, you must develop your Web site and your expectations of it to make the most of your business practices.

Strategic Goals and Objectives
Since keeping your customers satisfied will result in sales almost every time, your Web site’s goals and objectives should reflect the experience you want for your customers. Think about the people that you do business with.Think about the conversations you have with them. What information do they request from you before they make a purchasing decision? What questions do they have after they have bought your product?

The best way to think about Web site objectives is to contemplate a typical day in your business. Who do you talk to? How do you use the fax machine? How do you generate new customer leads? How do you meet with your customers? Do you use the mail, UPS, or other delivery and courier services? What information from the customer do you find absolutely critical to helping you close the sale? The answers to these questions will help you devise a solid list of goals and objectives for your Web site.

Your objectives should be as specific and as measurable as possible. To generate objectives that are both specific and measurable you must think in quantitative terms. Things like the number of times that customers access your database, download a product specification sheet, or send an inquiry to customer service are all specific and measurable.

Core Constituencies
The foundation of a good Web business strategy lies in a deep understanding of the people you do business with and how you do business with them. There are your customers, of course. But you also need to think about suppliers, business partners, employees, and even investors. These people are your core constituencies.

Core constituencies can be defined as your prototypical customers. Core constituencies are the group or groups of people that you want to please most with your Web site. But do not make the mistake of assuming that your customers are the only people that make up the core constituency. If you own a golf pro shop, the people who supply your products can also be a core constituency you want to address on your site. Think of ways your Web site can make it easier for you to do business not only with your customers but with your vendors and other business partners as well.

Great business Web sites, and ones that are successful, treat each user that enters as a real, valued customer on the other end of the line. This does not happen by accident. A great Web site takes planning and dedication.

* Source - Everything Online Business Book
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