In the past, there was a time when small businesses didn't need electronic devices, if they even existed. However, in today's world, we wonder how we managed without them. Small businesses may be using bright flashing signs, cash drawers, inventory systems via the computer, and many of the new marketing tools that are now available. Since computers became a standard of living, there has been less use for paper and keeping track of things the "old-fashioned" way.

Back in the days before computers, a person who owned a small business would market in a very different manner. Most of the marketing would be done with local advertising and consistent word of mouth throughout the community. These marketing strategies would limit the small business owner to only providing for their immediate area. Today, with the availability of the Internet, small businesses just like those can now promote and market to an entire country, if they wanted. Since the internet is such a huge deal for any sized business and marketing, it is critical for small businesses to create web sites and have an internet presence in order to survive.

The service a web designer or web developer can bring to you and your business is infinite if you're looking to boost your internet presence. Here are a few things to consider if you're thinking about hiring a web designer or web developer to help with your small business website:

• Growth: Making a website usually produces a surge in business and growth potential. Some web designers or web developers may be able to give you an estimate of growth. In either case, you should check inventory and be sure you are ready to handle the new business.
• Shipping: Since you're expanding your small business to the internet, you're sure to get new customers from different areas. Therefore, a carefully crafted and thoughtful plan about shipping services, pricing and expenses should be developed. The web designer or developer should be able to help with some of this as well.
• Expertise: It's not often that a business already employs someone who has graphic design or website design skills. In the event that you do, it is a great suggestion to still hire a web developer to make sure you are getting the most out of your website.
• Labor: It's important for you to know that once a website is started it is an on-going task. It needs to be constantly updated technically, filled with relevant and useful content, and consistently marketed. Typically, it's a good idea to keep the web developer you first hired to keep installing those technical updates.
• Benefits: Sometimes growth of a business from a website doesn't happen right away, but there are many other things to do with your site in the meantime. A website can fill many positions such as helping with customer service, provide information related to your store, (sales, hours, and phone numbers) directions, and specific services. Your main focus here should be communicating and providing your web designer with all of this information.  Your web designer may also have ideas that will help as well.
• Differentiation: Bringing to light what your business does or provides that is different than other similar businesses should be displayed on your website. This may bring in more customers, especially if you offer things that others don't. Your website can also be a tool for your unique and distinguishable services.

Having a website that is well-designed can create many different opportunities for your small business. There is a very large community on the Internet that continues to grow daily. An internet presence combined with the growth of the internet means more business indeed.

Sometimes, by not having a website, it can widely impact your sales and customer base. People today are counting on locating you on the internet, and if they can't, they'll go somewhere else online.

Ultimately, the bottom line here is: to survive in the great big world of the internet, you need a website for your small business.