Frequently Asked Questions

The answer to this question could be “yes” or could be “no.” Only you, the business owner can answer it.

Only you can determine if your company needs a website. While making the determination, you want to consider that a website is multi-functional, and is a communication tool — not just an advertisement. If your business is organized, all of your clientele is local, and you have a backlog of customers waiting to be serviced –and you can handle that service effectively — you may not need a website.

If you often wish you could communicate effectively with a broader range of clients/customers, publicly post answers to frequently asked questions, attract new customers, break into new markets, and take the market share from your competitors — then a website is a MUST!

A website is like your giant public bulletin board where people can get information on how to find you, where you are located, what you have to offer, why your service is unique, and what’s new in your company. It’s also a communication forum through which your customers can communicate back to you with questions, concerns, and feedback on their needs.

This depends on your needs. The Surf Your Name team will work with you and identify your needs and how we can provide a solution to those needs. We offer a wide range of services that fulfill the needs of our clients. From website development, website hosting, online marketing, website security & maintenance, the list goes on and on.  We also make the entire process quick and painless by creating the best package of services that suits the needs of your business. We take care of your digital presence so you have time to run your business!

We never force our clients into predefined packages that are full of overpriced features that you don’t need or will never use.

You may not sell merchandise online, but do you sell something special that people are looking for? Do you ever have a customer say “I came here because you sell ________.” For example, a store that sells a line of products or brands that are highly sought after by a faithful following, (i.e. Dept. 56, Boyd’s Bears, Hallmark Cards, Red Wing Shoes, certain lines of animal products, clothing and accessories, tools, etc.) is going to have potential customers that search the Internet to find out who sells those brands in their local area. Will you be on the search results? Will your competitor be?

The same applies to restaurants and lodging. People are visiting a certain area. Over 70% of travelers in the United States and Europe use the Internet to set travel itineraries — and those itineraries include restaurants, accommodations, and shopping. Will you be among the choices found when they search the Internet?

In a nutshell, if you offer something that people are looking for, a large portion of people (perhaps a market unknown to you thus far) will search the Internet because it’s fast, it’s easy, it’s global, and it’s private. A website will put you in the running with others on the Internet.

Using the computer is like playing the piano. You can play “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or a Sonata by Chopin. Either way, you’re getting a tune out. To have a website you should have a computer, and you — or someone in your company — should be able to send and receive an email. We offer our Security & Maintenance packages to all of our clients that include website maintenance, text or picture changes, and updates, all with great, one-on-one customer service.

Your current customers may not use the computer much — that is possible.

A worthy concern should be about the potential customers that do use the computer and cannot FIND YOU. Statistics prove that 65% of the population, in rural areas, uses a computer at least once per week, and 85% in urban areas use a computer. These percentages have NEVER decreased. They will likely continue to increase. A website keeps you in sync with this trend.

Another interesting statistic:

The fastest-growing sector of the American population getting computer-literate is between the ages of 50 and 75. This sector also includes those with the highest percentage of disposable income.

A website helps you target that using population.

Another thing to think about …. 75 years ago, the American population felt that the telephone was an expensive luxury and not crucial to business growth. That sentiment continued for 30 years. As social communication trends changed, and expenses decreased — businesses changed to ensure profitability. The use of the Internet will only increase in the years to come.

Is your cousin a qualified web developer? If so, you’re lucky. Be sure to impart a sense of urgency in getting the website completed. If he or she makes websites as a hobby, you’ll want to consider the following:

A website can be compared to a means of transportation. You could ride a bicycle or drive a Mercedes — either way you can get around town, but one is much faster, more efficient, will take you farther faster, and will be a much more comfortable ride.

The flashy graphics and catchy text you see on websites are only about 20% of what goes into developing the site. Behind all those pretty pages are codes and tags, specifically written to attain a higher placement in search engines, making the pages load faster and be more user-friendly. Most beginners lack knowledge in the proper usage of codes and scripts, nor are they up to date on search engine optimization. If you have a pretty website, but no one can find it, you lose an enormous amount of marketing power.

It is important to recognize that a website is NOT just an advertising investment. It complements and empowers your advertising efforts. Ads are the property of the advertising vendor and are a revolving cost to a company. You buy an ad for a specific amount of time — and then the ad is gone.

A website is a marketing and communication tool that belongs to you. You control it and you can use it continually. It is a company asset similar to a telephone or fax machine. You buy it one time and only pay for the service to use it. Websites reach a growing customer base that up until now has remained hidden to you. It also services your current customer base, giving them more options to communicate with you.

Once you have a website, you can print your web address on all of your advertising, offering potential customers and clients an opportunity to find out more. A website in today’s world is also a stamp of credibility to the public that hasn’t yet met you.

This statement is commonly made by specialty shop owners and real estate agents. Real estate agents will add “I already invest high dollars in space advertising.” This is probably one of the most frustrating objections for us. The business owners that express concerns such as this one are the nicest people we meet — and usually, sound business people. They know how to treat a customer or client with special care.

However, they don’t understand that all kinds of people use the Internet to access information. The Internet, unlike advertising mediums, does not target a set demographic. Magazines, Newspapers, Television, Radio — all are demographically based. Family Circle will always target young women between the ages of 25 and 35 that have young children. Country music radio stations target a specific audience as does cable news programs or shows like Sesame Street.

The Internet targets everyone in almost all demographics. And those demographics shift and change. Ten years ago less than 50% of the population used the Internet. Five years ago, primary users were people who worked in offices in jobs that were above the median income level. Three years ago the fastest growing demographic for Internet use was minor children. Today it is retirees. 7 out of every ten people you meet in America use a computer at least once a week. “Are your potential customers the other 3 who don’t?”

There are over 8 billion web pages indexed in the Google search engine. The top three commercial markets on the web are Technology, Real Estate, and Tourism. Technology businesses know they need a website. If you’re in real estate (even an individual agent) YOU NEED A WEBSITE. If your business markets to travelers (accommodations, restaurant, specialty shopping, tickets, travel wear, recreational products, travel gear, animal care, children’s activities) YOU NEED A WEBSITE. Statistics show that 7 out of 10 people will go to the internet for information before they purchase real estate or set a travel itinerary.

A website is usually rather impersonal — and that’s a good thing. When people use the internet they want information, not a personal relationship. The information will bring them to you. You create a relationship.

A website gives you a higher number of potential customers to create a relationship with. If internet users don’t find you on the web, they’ll seek out your competitors who have websites.

The answers to the questions and concerns above should expand your knowledge of what a website can do for your company. But consider this in addition to what has already been covered:

Try to understand the mindset and culture of this group of people that uses the Internet to find information:

There are two reasons people search for company information on the web.

They are looking for information on you, who you are, and what you offer. They may have heard about you from a friend, seen your advertisement, billboard, business card, or heard that you carry something they’re looking for. If they know who you are, and they search the Internet to find out more about you — and find no website — they may assume you are not large enough to support a website or aren’t interested in them as customers. (To the web user — no website is like not finding a company listed in the phone book. You have to wonder … why?)

They are looking for a product or service that you offer, if you’re not listed, they will pursue service from some company that is listed.