New reports of 2011 show an increase of 156% (compared to 2010) of users that have 24/7 access to the internet through the use of smart phones and tablets. As of today, it is almost expected to walk into any restaurant, coffee shop, office environment, airport, and almost any indoor environment and have Wi-Fi access to the internet. But can you believe that 2012 car models will include features such as hot spots?

Well, this is a true statement. Companies such as Ford are getting smarter and understanding the way we live in 2011 and have come up with new car features that include wiFi access on cars! That’s right! In 2012, we will be able to ride in a car and while driving on the passenger’s seat, check email, browse through the internet, check out directions to our nearest bank, restaurant, business, etc. in a fast and convenient way.

As a marketer and business person, this only talks about the opportunities that are opening up for any small business. These opportunities are not only cost-effective (compared to print), but also measurable!

If you are a forward-thinking business owner, here are some tips that you might want to consider to get prepared for when this happens:

• Make sure that your website is mobile. That means that your website will be prepared to be viewed across all browsers, but most importantly across all mobile devices including smart phones, tablets and laptops. If your website is built on Flash, this is your time to merge onto another web technology that is more SEO friendly and compatible. If you are unsure whether your website fits this criteria, My Website Pronto will be happy to provide you with a FREE on depth compatibility analysis.
• Ensure that your website is visually appealing. As internet users get smarter about technology, they also get more demanding. That means that users in 2011 are aware of what an outdated website looks like, but most importantly, they have learned to associate a bad website with a smaller, less serious business. There is nothing wrong with a small business- but do you really want the “less serious” tag associated to your business?
• Non-user friendly websites results in lost customers. If your website was built more than 3 years ago, it is most probably non-user friendly. As web trends change, so do the way users navigate websites. Think about the way that we learned how to do things 10 years ago versus the way we learn how to do things in 2011.
• The web environment should mimic the real environment. As a consumer, I have come across many websites that are misleading to the way that businesses look and feel in their real environments. In many occasions, I have seen a website that looks like a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, and shown up to a $20 + plate menu- or viceversa. To the average consumer, this is a very disappointing experience because the website should mimc exactly what there will be inside. In other words, the website should represent your business!

You finally did it. Its time to shine with your new business but there is a problem, you don’t have an online presence. Your business does not have a website.
Having a business without a website in this fast, online era is like having a body without a face to express who you truly are.

A high percentage of consumers check your business website before calling you, even when they know you have a business. Now more than ever, people are searching the web to analyze and determine whether or not they want to hire your services or buy your product. Consider that by not having a website, you are missing on a tremendous opportunity. A website helps your target audience learn more about you and your product or service.

Bottom line a website will advertise your business and image effectively. By not having a website, you are putting your business at a disadvantage and your competitor could be the one that is found instead.

If you have a business, having a website is a must!

This is the story of the week. I sat at a restaurant having lunch, grabbed a newspaper and bam, there it was. Small businesses paying EXPENSIVE advertisement! Nothing wrong with advertising your business — it is actually great to do so. The problem here is that many of the companies advertising do not have a website.

I still cannot believe that in this day and age many small businesses do not have a website. What I find more amazing is that many business owners advertise using only their personal facebook and twitter accounts. After thinking and almost pulling my hair, trying to put the puzzle together…. I gave up. How do great small business owners rely on a third party site that could potentially close their account without a reason whatsoever? I could not come up with a reasonable answer.

Having your own website allows you to maintain control over content, look, images…..etc. These social networks are great tools to have but only to compliment your own website.

As rule of thumb, these tips should NOT be ignored:

• Do not think about advertising before having a presentable website. And I say this because potential customers are going to visit your website before they consider doing business with you, specially true for businesses that need to build credibility.
• Think about your website as your store front. If your storefront is dirty or in bad shape, customers are less likely to come inside.
• Your website reflects the commitment you have towards your business. And in many cases, it lets your potential customer determine the strength and the size of your business.
• Presentation is everything. Just as you wouldn’t wear shorts and sandals to an important business meeting, you shouldn’t dress your website in the same manner. And don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being casual, but there is a place and a setting for everything.
• It can be very tempting to experiment with technology but please do your self a favor focus on what you do best and let the experts handle your business website. This process will end up taking more time than you think and in the end, you will probably not end up liking the result.