Making The Most Of The Internet -- www.OnlineOrganizing.com

You Are Here: Home - Newsletters - "Organized For A Living" - Article

	Making The Most Of The Internet

	an interview with Tom Howerton

This is an interview with web designer and internet expert Tom Howerton -- with some tips for using the INTERNET to your advantage.

Q: TELL ME ABOUT YOUR WEB SUPPORT SERVICES.

A: Zertia is a full-service INTERNET solutions provider, providing consultation, design, engineering, hosting, multimedia, and support services to a broad range of businesses in multiple industries.

Q: WHAT IS THE KEY TO USING THE INTERNET?

A: The web is an endless supply of INFORMATION, so any resource that could be possibly available for a small business (or any size business for that matter) is out there waiting to be retrieved. The key to it all is how to find the information. Knowing how to properly use a SEARCH engine can save hours of search time. Most all search engines have "search tips" and it is my experience that most entry level users never look at them. This is a huge mistake. Adding a couple of extra words to a search query and knowing how to add key words could save a user hours of "clicking" to find what they are looking for.

Q: WHY SHOULD ENTREPRENEURS BE ON THE WEB?

A: Utilizing the web has become standard with most businesses, no matter what the size of the company. The web has created an even playing field for businesses and allows for a business to COMPETE with larger companies in the same industry. The web is not going away, so if an entrepreneur is not comfortable using this technology it could put the business as a DISADVANTAGE. It is highly likely that his or her competitors are using this technology and is providing their customers with 24/7 support and company information any time the customer wants it.

Q: HOW DO YOU HELP CLIENTS DEAL WITH TECHNO-FEAR?

A: Zertia has deliberately decided not to speak with potential clients using technical terminology, unless the client has a comprehensive understanding of the requested technology. However, if an entrepreneur is not comfortable with the Internet, then I would suggest taking a couple of web classes to understand the BASICS. Once the basics are understood, the level of comfort is increased as will be the usage. When this happens, the entrepreneur begins to realize the benefit of the web and will better understand how it can benefit his or her business.

Q: WHAT STAGES OF WEB GROWTH DO YOU SEE?

A: Once a business owner becomes comfortable searching the web for resources, we often see them move into the next phase of actually INCORPORATING web technology into their business processes. As our clients grow, they realize that the web can offer tremendous time and cost savings by utilizing web based software to AUTOMATE tasks that are being done manually.

Q: WHEN SHOULD A BUINESS EXPAND INTO THE WEB?

A: Businesses need to constantly monitor how much time is being spent on various ROUTINE tasks. When a business realizes that a particular task can be automated via web based software they need to compare that cost to an offline solution. More often than not, a business will realize that automating certain aspects of their business will provide an overall annual savings and improved customer SERVICE. A true win-win.

Q: ARE THERE ANY GOLDEN INTERNET RULES?

A: It is important for all businesses to have a web SITE. Whether the web site is a brochure site or a software driven web site, it is important for prospects to be able to go to the web site to find out more about the company and it's product and service offerings.

Q: ANY ADVICE FOR EXPANDING INTO THE INTERNET?

A: I have personally seen small businesses invest to heavily in web technology with UNREALISTIC expectations. A company’s involvement in the web should grow with the business -- and as this growth occurs, their CUSTOMERS will drive the business to understand what technology improvements will be needed to satisfy their customer base more effectively. What's great about technology is that it can be expanded as the business grows -- so when it is time to upgrade to software that will better serve their customers, their initial investment is not lost.

Tom Howerton is with Zertia web hosting and design -– he may be contacted at .

Would you like to reprint this article in your publication -- or distribute it to a wider audience? Click here for reprinting instructions.

Want to receive these kind of articles via e-mail each month? Sign up for a free newsletter subscription.

Click here to return to "Organized For A Living" -- January 2003...