Increase Revenue

• Open up a virtual storefront that creates an additional sales channel
• Sell products online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Introduce new products to the market faster
• Compete with big corporations based on service, price, and quality
• Capture the impulse buyer
• Accept credit card orders online in real time
• Optimize existing advertising (add a .com to ads directing customers to your dynamic, informative Web site)
• Expose your business to new markets you may not otherwise reach
• Establish credibility with potential customers

Decrease Expenses

• Create an additional, inexpensive form of advertising that costs less than mail outs, phone book ads, etc.
• Automate the sales process
• Eliminate costs typically associated with expanding sales--employees, rent, utilities, insurance, etc.
• Display your entire inventory without increasing warehousing costs
• Drop ship products to reduce inventory levels
• Reduce dependency/money spent on traditional advertising media
• Update documents and manuals online in one centralized location
• Replace mass mail marketing campaigns with bulk e-mail
• Make your marketing efforts highly targeted and efficient with e-mails through the Contact Manager and statistical tracking of promotions

Improve Customer Service

• Provide fast, personalized service to customers
• Provide answers to frequently asked questions 24 hours a day
• Offer special packages or deals through your Web site
• Display testimonials from satisfied customers
• Send customers exclusive online coupons or discounts
• Allow customers to set appointments online
• Facilitate pro-active communication between you and your customers
• Respond to customers’ changing demands faster

Industry-specific Benefits

• Accounting Firm
• List the different services provided - small business, personal, commercial, estate planning, etc.
• Post preparer’s credentials
• Provide customers with tips and information regarding the latest tax laws
• Explain why and how services can assist a customer
• List partners and affiliates — enhancing credibility

Air Conditioning/Heating
Company profile
Post product line (product catalog)
Post type of services residential/commercial
List product manufacturers
Post warranty
Create a preventative maintenance or product upkeep page
Create a frequently asked questions page regarding products/services
Dedicate a page to the latest in product technology
Conservation of energy page
Online day timer - set appointments, create a to-do list, post upcoming job events (Contact Management Tool)
Create mailing lists (Contact Management Tool, Feedback Tool)
Sub-contract/employment page (Contact Management, Feedback Tool)
Employee of the month
Post a map to business/physical location
Post credentials and city/state licenses

Auto Body/Paint Shops
Before and after pictures of cars
Sell salvage cars online
Sell car parts online
Types of paints and materials used
Furnish customers with tips on maintaining their paint, finishes, etc.
Special services like murals, pin striping, window tint, etc.
Let your customers know that your shop works with insurance companies
Post whether or not on-site estimates are available
Post whether or not work is subcontracted out 
Attract out-of-towners who commute and work in your town and may not know where to go

Beauty Salons/Spas
Online scheduling 
Post pictures of happy customers and their hairstyles
Feature each stylist in salon
Post rates
Promote hair shows, bridal packages
Feature seasonal packages, offer discounts for online customers
Sell hair care products online
Feature ancillary services offered by the salon such as facials, nail care, etc.
Use site to acquire new stylists
Provide hair, skin and nail care tips

Consignment Store
Supports both types—where the objective is to acquire additional merchandise and where the objective is to sell more merchandise
Acquire merchandise—post which items are/are not acceptable, seller’s percentage, and any applicable store policies
Sell merchandise—display a wide selection of merchandise retail customers can expect to find through the store; feature any unusual items which may interest collectors; run promotions offering an additional discount to retail customers who mention Web site; shoppers can request an item specifically—if not available, request can be posted on the Web, then sold to the retail customer when located; charge customers an extra fee to post the products they consign on Web site

Employment Agency
One of the most popular uses for the Internet
Attract companies who need to search for employees
Post an online application
Search for potential employees
List areas of specialization (e.g. engineering, marketing, technical)
Post top 10 companies looking for employees
Tips for preparing resumes
Interviewing advice
Provide a map to office for interviews
Easy transfer of correspondence from companies to Web site
Prospect out of state—not limited to local market 
Job hunters can e-mail requests for employment by using the Feedback page on the Web site

Mortgage Company
Post prime interest rates
Make recommendations for property appraisers
Provide information for first-time buyers
Feature approved lenders
Pre-approve clients online through Web site
Set up e-mail for referral business
Implement online questionnaire for pre-qualification purposes
Provide perspective clients with your company’s profile, credentials, etc.

Non-Profit Organizations
History of the organization—how and why it was founded, etc.
Attract additional members
Save money on extra software tools and other computer management systems by utilizing features like the Contact Management System
Save money on direct mail, dedicate a page to online donations
Sell tickets to special events
Feature organization’s mission statement
Specify how the monies are allocated (what percentage of donations go to cause)
Highlight past accomplishments—success stories
Feature a monthly/current project, state future goals and objectives
List affiliates and/or satellites, thank and highlight prominent contributors

Office Maintenance/Maid Service/Janitorial Service
List bond certification and qualifications
Devote a page to testimonials from most satisfied clients/ customers
Provide customers with rate information
Online scheduling
Coupons for new and referral clients
Post service area
Companies can send you a bid for services using the Feedback page
Feature special cleaning products for environmentally conscious clients

Optometrists
Sell eyeglasses and contact lenses online
List health insurance providers to reduce number of telephone inquiries
Physician profile—post credentials—increase credibility
Provide a “wear care” page for patients (caring for your contact lenses, etc.)
Online scheduling for patients
Provide the latest information on radial keratotomy
Provide referrals to qualified ophthalmologists/surgeons

Painting/Photography/Design/Artists
Display work on Web site
Sell your work 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Receive special requests for work/ consignments/ commissions
Provide pertinent background information
Feature any specialty work such as mural painting, faux finishing, etc.

Pool Cleaning
Feature services offered
Sell products like skimmers, heaters, and chlorine
Provide helpful tips for preventative maintenance of pool cleaning
Address frequently asked questions (Why acid baths? Why clean my pool? The proper pH balance for pool water, etc.)
Furnish pool safety tips and emergency information
Provide referrals to affiliates/partners like pool contractors and designers
Customers can e-mail questions or problems
Outline service area, request appointments

Restaurants
Online reservations, post menus
Photograph of restaurant/staff and best dishes
Profile exceptional chef and his/her credentials
Feature dinner and lunch specials
Tribute to employee(s) of the month
Provide a map to restaurant location
Promote catering services
Special events scheduling
Provide an online tour of special facilities (banquet, private dining room)
Provide online coupon
Customers can place orders for take-out or delivery

Retail
E-commerce capable; sell products 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Post special product promotions
Develop an extensive product list with thousands of items
Develop affiliate relationships and partnerships
Use Contact Management Tool to e-mail notification of sales and promotions
Provide an online coupon that retail customers can print out and carry into the actual store

Veterinarians/Pet Hotels/Walkers/Sitters
Banner exchanges with local pet stores and kennels, humane society, SPCA
Sell ointments, leashes, eye drops, etc.
Put online live video of dogs/cats in kennel so that pet owners can see their pets while on a trip
Display vet’s resume and credentials
Tell special stories (“I rescued a cat...”)
Display rates, services offered
Offer a “classifieds” area where customers can advertise (Free to good home, etc.)