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Buyers Guide to Internet Services: Web Design, Online Marketing and Cloud Computing

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The Internet has led to the creation of new possibilities in conducting and managing a business. In a highly competitive business environment, companies are constantly looking at innovative solutions to improve operational efficiencies and reduce their overheads. A number of online solutions are available to help achieve the goal of improved efficiencies. However, many small and medium businesses are still not fully aware about the immense potential of the Internet for business management and business promotion. It is no longer a medium for information dissemination and communication alone.

Professional Internet consultancies can be hired to evaluate how business operations can become more streamlined and cost-effective with the help of online solutions. Companies that are looking at ways to bring down their marketing costs can consider online business promotion as a credible, low-cost alternative. Information and data management within the organization can be improved with customized or standard online solutions. Business communication costs can also be reduced substantially with facilities such as online telephony and video conferencing.

Benefits

Web Design Services

Professional Web designers are available for hire in the market at competitive rates. They can help a business organization to develop a comprehensive corporate or e-commerce Web site. Such a Web site can serve as a highly effective and dynamic advertisement for the company’s business. It can allow the business to communicate its message in detail, virtually without any limitations of space, and with interactive multimedia capabilities.

Online Marketing and SEO

Internet marketing firms can help a business organization to devise a comprehensive online marketing strategy. This can allow the business to reach out to potential customers in any part of the world at a very low cost. An SEO marketing strategy can ensure that the company’s Web site achieves high page rankings with leading search engines such as Google. This can result in high visibility of the business before its target customers anywhere in the world.

Cloud Computing Advantage

Cloud computing services enable a business to make use of multiple online networks, storage devices, licensed software applications, and documentation and data processing through the World Wide Web. The business does not need to invest in each software product, IT service, or network individually, and it can access a cloud system via the Internet at a very low cost. Forrester Forecast Data reports that the global cloud computing market will surpass $40 billion in 2011.

Information and Communication Management

A business that makes a thorough utilization of online services can develop intraorganization LAN networks that are cheap and allow effective real-time communication. It can use webcasting, online telephony, and video conferencing facilities for enhanced communication. Information and data collection, processing, and storage can also be made more network-friendly and usable within the organization through online services.

Pitfalls

Scope for Undeserving Competitors

Many business organizations feel that the fact that the Internet is virtually a free medium is detrimental to a business in some respects. It allows almost any business to come up with a professional-looking Web site and effective SEO strategies to present itself as a leader in its field. A majority of online searchers simply look at the top few Web sites that rank in their search results. This can be unfair to a business that fails to achieve real SEO success, but is in fact a better business for customers than its competitors.

Overcrowded Internet Space

The Internet is home to hundreds of millions of Web sites in virtually every conceivable business area. The reader has limited time to evaluate good Web sites, and it becomes difficult for a company to attract the readers’ attention in such an overcrowded space. This can be a huge marketing challenge, particularly for small and medium businesses that are keen to employ effective online promotion strategies.

Shortage of Experienced Professionals

It is not easy to identify a reliable and experienced SEO marketing firm or an Internet professional for business development or promotion. SEO marketing is a complex and technical area, and a marketing campaign may reach nowhere if the SEO, web designing, and content development is handled by an inexperienced online marketer.

Trust Deficit

For every single legitimate Internet marketer, there are dozens of unreliable and unscrupulous online sellers available. This compromises the credibility of online business promotion, particularly for small and new businesses that do not have the reputation or image to win the trust of the consumers automatically.

Pricing

The cost of hiring professional online marketing consultants can vary widely. It may be advisable to choose a reputed and experienced online consulting firm even if their charges may be higher. Such firms may charge a fixed fee for the entire online project or campaign, or may charge according to each service provided.

Internet services can undoubtedly improve the cost-effectiveness, competitiveness, and operational efficiencies of most businesses. This is a long-term investment that can yield high returns over a period of time. Business organizations should try to hire professional online consulting firms that have past experience in developing online business solutions and SEO marketing campaigns for clients in a similar business.