Do I have to change the way I conduct business when I have a website?

The short answer is NO, you don’t have to change the way you conduct business once you have a website.  Most companies hopefully have a landline or mobile number and an e-mail address.  Combine this with your website and you are good to go.  A website should primarily serve as an information hub for potential customers.  They visit your website for information, prices, trading hours, your location and service areas.

Venturing into e-commerce (online shopping) requires a huge capital injection and a dedicated team to deal with online orders, plus the IT backbone to maintain your data integrity and security.  If you wish to become the next Amazon then go for it, but if you have a small to medium sized business, save your money and spare yourself the heart ache.

Should you wish to ship products across the country, there is a simpler means of doing so.  Allow your website visitors to contact you via e-mail by filling out a contact form.  Provide an electronic quote in return with payment details, a reference number and instructions to forward you proof of payment.

Be sure to check your email at least once a day or else this facility becomes pointless.