Internet Is A BIG Equalizer For Small Appraisal Businesses

On the Internet, Goliath wouldn’t be any bigger than David. That’s why more and more small businesses are delving into the World Wide Web, tapping into a much larger customer base and competing against major companies around the country. That's according to a recent article in the Bloomington Pantagraph by Scott Miller. Setting up a Web site used to be tricky business but today there are plenty of Web site maintenance and development companies to handle that. Forget about the technology. What do you want it to look like? What message do you want to send? What service are you offering?" asked Matt Nelson, assistant professor of business at Illinois State University. Nelson, who teaches courses on online business, and Elizabeth Binning, director of the McLean County Small Business Development Center at ISU, plan to offer an e-commerce seminar in the fall.The class will teach small business owners about start-up strategies, different Web site designs and characteristics that make certain pages successful. For details on the class, visit www.sbdc.ilstu.edu. Slow Web pages deter potential customers, for example, said Nelson, cautioning against using too many graphics or pictures or other files that consumer space. Also, the niche of small businesses is their ties to the community. Those ties should be maintained online, said Binning. For example, Web sites should offer more than just the product to sell, she said. Developers and construction companies link pictures of projects. Appraisers can provide sample appraisal reports, their fees, and simple explanations of what an appraisal is. Web sites can become "interactive" if they are linked to opt-in newsletters or Web logs (Blogs). Blogs allow visitors to make comments and ask questions without feeling obligated. Advantages to going online:

• Small businesses have the same search-engine space large corporations do.
• Nearly 40 percent of online customers place orders between midnight and 8 a.m., when typical businesses are closed.
• The Internet is the least expensive way to market nationally.
• Businesses reach younger buyers.
• Web sites demonstrate products and services in a multimedia format. SOURCE: McLean County Small Business Development Center

Appraisal , Real Estate ,Appraiser ,Blog , Technology , Bloomington , McLean , Marketing , Regulation , Illinois