Since the browser based Internet has mainstreamed from a small user base to virtually the entire world, businesses have come to realize that their online presence is more important than ever. Having said this I am always surprised when I see a website for a company that does not represent where they are in the marketplace.

This fact does not always mean that the website look and feel appears to be chiseled out of stone. It also equates to back end functionalities that help both the employees and the customers access data that is mission critical to the business.

Unless you are a retail giant or posses a multi-million dollar television advertising budget chances are that 90% of potential customers receive their first impression of your business online. That is a powerful fact. If the end user has an initial negative experience working with or simply viewing your website then your competition is just one click away.

A good website is aesthetically pleasing and built to suit the main audience. The back end functionality should be able to handle the most important tasks that your business completes on a daily basis. Making that good first impression means to lend credibility to your business as a market leader. A poorly constructed website with skewed graphics, broken links and limited business functionality sets a low expectation level of what your company has to offer.

Remember that a compelling website, takes time (planning), scope and budget factors upfront. Take a look at any business processes that can be converted to the web to make operations run smoother and above all, ask your clients what they want to see and what will be helpful for them online!