Featured Author

: Robin Stanton is owner of WebServices4All.com Ad Agency and sits as VP of Sales and New Business for Synervation.net affiliate network and Media company. Robin has been in the online industry since 1998 working with advertisers, agencies and small businesses, and is always on the lookout for the next big thing in Online Advertising.

The Startup Scenario: Turn Your Small Business into a Viable Web Commodity

Written on: February 14th 2006
Author: by Robin Stanton |
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Understanding that makes it easy for me to understand where another small business is coming from. They really want their business to grow and need to make their dollar stretch. My guess is if you have million dollar budget, you aren’t even reading this. But if you laughed when I said million dollar budget, then you are looking for help.

Partnering is also a great technology. I talk to other publishers and agencies and explain what I can offer. Usually they do not have use for me, but the next time a client calls and says I have $2000 total to spend, guess who might they send them too? That’s right…me!

You can do the same; you may have a catering company that only makes desserts, so partner with a catering company or restaurant and be their exclusive dessert maker. A bit of tweaking makes it a win/win for everyone.

Now, for the web design section of your checklist. Please don’t ever say ‘here is the name of my company and a picture and I like blue.’ Guess what? You will not be pleased with the end results. Give the designer some examples of what you have seen that you like, if you have a store send them to it or send them pictures. Have a brochure, business card or flyers? Give it all to the designer, and if the designer is any good, they will be able to “hear” what you want and make the site reflect you.

When asking for a design quote ask the following:
Ã¢â€“Â¡ Does this include hosting?
Ã¢â€“Â¡ How much is hosting?
Ã¢â€“Â¡ Does this include the domain name/url?
Ã¢â€“Â¡ How much is the domain name/url?
Ã¢â€“Â¡ Can I make changes if I want?
Ã¢â€“Â¡ If you maintain it, how much are maintenance fees?
Ã¢â€“Â¡ Do I pay before, after or can I have a payment plan?
Ã¢â€“Â¡ Are there any extra fees tacked on that I should be aware of?
Ã¢â€“Â¡ Can I expand my site in the future?

If you attend trade shows and collect business cards, even if they are competitors, this is a way to check out their sites. And notice if they have a site and you don’t…you are already running to catch up.

Also, if you are asked “Do you have a site?” and the answer is “No,” you most likely have lost a customer…

You need to “feel” your agency, be comfortable with them, and also know they are not taking anything away from you. They are there to help you so you can spend your time with your customers.

Lastly, don’t forget to ask the services an agency can provide, if you can keep most everything under one agency it’s much easier, one person to talk to, one place for billing and paying and more of a personal relationship can be developed as well.

Don’t be shaken by what the big dogs are doing, they are big dogs that were small at one time; you’ll find your way. Look at them as inspiration, that’s what I do. As I read the online sites that Saatchi & Saatchi closed another huge client or that BBDO has produced another award winning commercial or Universal Mccann has done another great interactive campaign, I just think, Universal Mccann may have started out as local Mccann, wondering how to eat and run the business.

Reader Comments.

The “Best Kept Secret” in Pittsburgh, PA is Robin Stanton, WebServices 4 ALL. Robin Stanton’s article about the “web commodity” is on point and powerful. The checklist that Robin provides is a must read. It projects important information about operating a small business, web design, maintenance, and partnering. After reading Robin Stanton’s article, I actually felt accomplished, enlightened, and embraced for the challenges of running my small business. Thank you Robin Stanton for the valuable information and for a superbly written piece. Roberta R. Thurman

Posted by Roberta R. Thurman | 6:26 pm on March 20, 2006.

I checked out your article, and I must say that it is nice, informative, and crucial. How else are we to learn about the online web industry if we do not have guidance, instruction, and training. Your intelligence is key to your company, WebServices 4 ALL. How can we, the consumers, help you to branch out to a wider, global audience, if that is possible? You’re on target. Keep up the good work and the powerful articles coming, because we need them and WebServices 4 ALL. Tony J. Robinson, Applebee’s