| Q. |
e-business,
e-commerce,
e-technology what does it all mean? |
| A. |
Quite simply it means using the Internet to market your company
and it's products/services (e-business), also trading directly with your
customers, on-line, where this is viable and desirable (e-commerce), and extending
or developing computing systems which will enhance the services your provide
and increase profitibility (e-technology).
|
| Q. |
What can it do for my business ? |
| A. |
It may increase your market
share. It will provide you with a 'shop-window' available
twenty four hours per day, three hundred and sixty-five days per
year. It will also locate that 'shop window' in every country in the
world.
|
| Q. |
Won't it be complicated to get me up and running ? |
| A. |
It will require exactly the same amount of effort as any of
your other marketing initiatives. Your
e-business
provider (hopefully Gapnet Computing) will ask you about your company, about
your products and services, about any unique sales points which you might have
and then these will be converted by the e-business company into an Internet
e-business site specifically for your
company. It's that simple.
|
| Q. |
Isn't this just another computer fad? Shall I wait for a year
until all the hype dies down? |
| A. |
We don't believe that
e-business
is a 'fad'. It can offer your company a 'presence' far beyond that of all other
marketing facilities. And as for waiting - well are your competitors waiting?
And if you lose market share to them because you are not matching their efforts
what effect will this have on the long-term future of your company? Also it is
important to point out that all the media coverage (all the hype and nonsense)
about '.com' companies has nothing really to do with your company's
usage of an e-business site.
|
| Q. |
My business is only small, surely it can't benefit me
? |
| A. |
If providing your company with a greater market share will be
of benefit then e-business is something you really ought to
consider. The size of your company is not in any way relevant.
|
| Q. |
Would I need expensive equipment to start with ? |
| A. |
Initially you don't need any computing equipment at
all. However if you want to receive feedback or orders from your customers
directly through your e-business facility then you will need a PC and a
connection to the Internet.
|
| Q. |
e-business designers /
e-commerce
consultants - who is the right partner for me ? |
| A. |
Use the same method you would adopt in selecting any other
service provider - by talking to them, listening to how they would approach
your business needs and also looking at some of the things they have provided
for other companies.
|
| Q. |
How cost effective is it compared to other forms of marketing
/ trading ? |
| A. |
Whilst it is difficult to answer this precisely, it is fair to
say that an e-business
site exposes your company world-wide. If your company offers a product and/or
service which is unique then such a massive marketing presence has to increase
market opportunities. Compared with all other forms of marketing an
e-business site is the
most cost-effective when looking at coverage v cost comparisons. |
