Websites Are NO LONGER Needed

Putting your business in the hands of another business is not a good idea. Facebook page? Yeah, it's trendy but not permanent and if they shut you down, then what?

Saying a website is not needed is like saying marketing is not needed, that sales are not needed... Everyone knows the importance of a website... if you're trying to convince someone they NEED a website, your target market is a little messed up.

I also would never use a power point presentation to make my points either.

Are you saying that you were in a meeting with a web designer when he and several of his employees started asking each other why anyone would hire them?

Nothing has ever not happened as much as this story, so I'm not going to do your homework for you.

Have you tried a Google search?

Almost like saying 'I don't need a store, I will sell on the corner today, alley tomorrow and over by the school after that'.

Can be done, but sure won't last long.

My suggestion would be to walk away from nonsense conversations like that.

John

Actually, as I think about it, it's utterly typical for a marketing consultant to set up a circle jerk like this to screw with everyone's head until the boss has to hire him just to get them back on track where they were before they met him.

So maybe this made-up phony story hasn't happened yet, and he just wants us to help him prepare for it. With a PowerPoint presentation right before nap time.

I've decided to add this to my rebuttals, so thanks Coach for this post.

Store owner says: What do we need a website for? People can find us on facebook, twitter, linkedin, etc. And they're free.

I say: What do you need a store for? People can find everything they need at Walmart, Target, Costco, wherever, and they have lower prices than you do.

With Facebook and Twitter it is too easy for someone to get sent down another path rather quickly. When someone is on my site I want them fully engaged and focused on the very thing that sent them there in the first place and figuring out how my stuff will help them.

Some of my own clients have even piped up about not liking Facebook because of the ads that pop up advertising the competition. I even see this in my own arena...online printers are all over adwords.

Lots of local mom and pop shops aren't liking that aspect of the internet one bit.
Local Newspapers sites and directory sites...they give them a listing..but then they pipe in adwords and suddenly a considerable amount of traffic is going elswhere...yeah..they don't like that at all

A website is the only way they have complete control...they can push traffic to that site via direct mail and other advertising. Some of my clients even use webforms that tie (import) directly into their CRM software, to capture leads and survey data.
You just have more control of the sales videos or whatever other multimedia you have going on.

Thanks sandalwood, RimaNaj2011, Doran Peck, beeswarn who have helped me getting this conversation in the right track...

Although some of you might think I want you to make a Powerpoint presentation for me I am sorry to tell you that you are way far from it much less for you to do my job (which for your comments I can tell you have no idea what it is)...

One the main rules when you are facing a situation like the one sales people from this business are facing is ask... make a survey... that is the reason I am asking you guys in the WF because a lot of you guys are professionals in this topic.

If you are too bright, too successful r whatever you think you are to share thoughts or 2¢... then let t go.. this thread is not for you...

I am willing to put together what REAL professionals and experts think about it along with the research I have already made and publish it here or send it directly to those who are sharing positively to these thread and other web designers who need it can take advantage of it..

Please reply if you have something positive to add...

To Your Success,

This business owner sounds retarded.
If he doesn't see the need for a website, then move on.

The problem with relying on third party services, like Facebook, etc., is that their primary motive is to monetize their website through advertising-- through ads that are open to direct competitors.

If people don't know how to find your competitors easily, having them on your website keeps them captive. If you're talking about a third party site, it's their JOB to have the competition prominently displayed.

I'm the author of a business book for women entrepreneurs called See Jane Grow: How to Establish Yourself as an Industry Expert. In my book, I explain among other things, CREDIBILITY.

If a business does not have a website, they are lacking credibility. Their website should be set up as the hub for their "edu-marketing", in other words, pre-selling their prospects and educating them on all their products and services. The business can post on facebook and twitter, but they should be pointing everyone back to their business website.

I understand where you're coming from though. I just talked to a business owner today that feels she does not need a website. She's an interior designer. I told her if I needed an interior designer and had to choose between her and someone who had a website, I'd pick the person with the website. Why? Not only to see their pictures, designs, portfolio etc, but because it shows that they are a REAL business.

sdingram... I think you that is a very strong argument... CREDIBILITY - PROFESSIONALISM

Thanks

Own site= own control. When I saw ThinkGeek post that they couldn't make posts at one point on their own FanPage, I thought it a little funny. If the business wants to keep their brand/name 'out' there, the Web 2.0 portals are great, but if they want their target audience to come to them, a website is the best route. I can see posts from Fanpages all day and be informed on my favorite products/companies, but I'm not buying from them or contacting them for services on Facebook.

I think designers can setup shop and get business anywhere if they are worth anything (demonstrated in their portfolio).

Moreover, if someone is interested in 'free' alternatives, they probably won't be interested in the prices you present on the services once you get them to 'consider' your proposal. I say focus on how you can make a better website or how a web presence can help generate leads, more than focusing on why the business would need a website in lieu of free alternatives.

Full control, no ads everywhere.

Here's my business card, my website is on there.

Would you put a Facebook page url on a biz card?

I am well,how are you?

Actually there are many ways now a day to promote any business,face book,twitter,marketing,but after all website play an important role,that I believe .
Let me explain:
Suppose you have Facebook account or a fan page about your business,if any client want to find you he or she must open an account in the Facebook ,then next task is to search.
On the other hand if you have a personal site than a client can find you by www.abc.com,give a suitable name instead of abc and press cntrl+enter.
I think it is the primary reason.
You can use email personally,always you can provide a update information.etc.
If you don't choose it you can use any thing .
But personal site bear a symbol of aristocracy.

Simply - the majority of their competitors already have one. There's just too much to say in regards to why they need to have a website.
Here is recent thread started by a nice guy : http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...asons-why.html

Without a website how the companies can interact correctly with their clients? A website and a domain give freedom to create for example personalized contact forms, personalized email accounts, etc.And IMO it is much different to promote the online company using a domain TheCompany.com than for example Facebook.com/TheCompany.

For me... i needn't website to sell my product.. i just need facebook, it's more popular today, and everybody who has facebook account can visit our "page" it will reduce our cost, we needn't to pay someone to create a website for our business.

Facebook, twitter etc..they play the part of interaction with your visitors. In other words, they are just the social network that couldn't represent your company. It would be more professional when you have a company website. A website is to provide news, information and history about your company.

Websites are as important as offline brochures, business cards, and booklets. They help you establish a business brand and identity separate from another.

for every Next Pay International S.A business to grow, they should have a website as people will not ask them to show your deals or any information on facebook or twitter page but they will ask for the website url to gather all information. specially for ecommerce, shopping businesses.

CoachGC, no need for a powerpoint presentation....just show them this page....kind of explains it all....

FaceBook, Google Places, Google +, Merchantcircle all have ads on them...ads that it's sole intent is to get you to click on them...drawing visitors away from your Facebook, Google Places pages....Google Places, Google+ even has a "similar places" area that often shows your competitors site....on your own friggin page!!

The intent of a website for a business is to keep the visitor on the site with no reason to click away from it....attract & retain, inform, engage and reward. I just don't see that happening with a FaceBook page or Google Places listing....as a secondary line of attack, yes, but as a main anchor for your businesses online presense....no way.

~Ken