Once upon a time phone books were the best choice for longevity because, let’s face it even if the business closed the ad was still in the phone book. The short fall of the phone book was that it was geographically limited and therefore it placed a cap on how many viewers an ad could reach. In addition, the reader had to know exactly what they were looking for and generally, once they found it they often went with the largest or most colorful ad. The ads proved to be a costly source of leads because it took hundreds of phone calls in order to secure business.

Several years ago, Marketing Sherpa released a survey that stated 80% of Internet research takes place on Google and the rest of the traffic chooses between Yahoo, MSN, Ask, and others. These survey results even years ago were clues that people were no longer letting there fingers do the walking. If the phone book and print advertising are going by the wayside, it is important that your business choose marketing activities that will attract the widest audiences, while spending the least amount of revenue.

Websites are no longer frivolous extensions of one’s personality. If you are operating a home based business, are a budding entrepreneur, or offering any product or service it is imperative that you have a website.

Effective websites have compelling content, varied palettes, and a strong call to action. The phone book is practically extinct; however, there is competition en masse on the web so your site needs to offer clarity, creativity, and content.

Here are a few tips on getting started-

• In order to create compelling content, the writer needs to be passionate about the subject. If the writer won’t buy it neither will the prospects.
  


• A call to action is mandatory! To get a reader’s attention offer them something of value in exchange for their email address. Something of value might include a white paper, a free report, a news letter or an instant savings on a product or service.
  


• Use colors that highlight your site and draw attention to main points. The colors are not to be as a vision test, nor should they be so bright or plentiful that they detract from your message or irritate the viewer.
  


• Keep fresh information on your site. The idea of returning visitors is crucial. The general rule is that it takes the visitor three to six views to become a buyer. Make the content interesting enough that the visitor will want to return three to six times.
  

Do not operate on the faulty logic that the more expensive a website is the better it is. Programs like Website Tonight are available and include hosting for around a ten-dollar initial investment and a low monthly fee.  Website Tonight offers you continuous flexibility and as your business grows the website can grow with it.