You've been thinking about creating a presence for yourself or your business on the Internet.  You're still not convinced though that you need a website.  Or, you already have one, but you are considering a site redesign.  What are the compelling thoughts that are going to get you off of the fence, one way or the other?

Some things to consider.

You have all of the customers you could ever want, from now until the end of time.  Everyone you would ever want to know about you or your company already does, always will, and there is no one left.  No one will ever move to or from your city again, and no one will ever again be born.  And finally, one we may soon never hear again, "my customers can find me in THE YELLOW PAGES!"

These are prescribed notions that have likely convinced you by now that no, you do not need a website.  And you are absolutely correct.  You don't.  For the rest of us out there who have businesses you want to grow, messages you want to get out, images you want to portray, and resources you want to attract, yes, you need a website.  Period.  Dot.  Beyond the shadow of a doubt.  Without question.  Next caller, please.

Today, you can find just about anything imaginable on the Internet.  From tangibles (anything appealing to the 5 senses), to intangibles (such as insurance, for example).  If you are selling products and/or services, there are very few excuses I can think of to not have a web presence.  That's the 'products and services' side.  What many fail to consider is that messages, images, concepts, and ideas are also saleable online.  A website isn't just about selling something that has an immediate impact on your bottom line.  It's also about building consistency in your branding efforts, making clients aware of high-profile new hires, updating your clientele on community efforts your company is involved with, or any other 'warm and fuzzy' message you want to portray which will garner continuous goodwill among your existing clients, potential clients, and the communities in which you live and work.  And you can't control any of this online without a website.  

Here's the point.  It doesn't matter if you are a huge corporation competing in the global marketplace, a small neighborhood business, or an individual with a message.  At the very least, you need some form of web presence.  Be it a dynamic, interactive site, or a static, one-pager.  Today, one of the very first moves anyone is going to make who wants to learn more about you is.....to look for your website! 

All of this being said, it's not enough to just have a website.  If you want to portray a strong, professional image, and be taken seriously, you must portray that image within your site.  Consumers, researchers, and even investors, may very likely look at you online before ever seeing your store, your office, your business plan, or your face.  THAT is an opportunity for them to reject you.  And without an attractive site filling them with enough intrigue to continue their pursuit, there will be nothing you can do about it.  You won't even know they were there.  And swirling down the toilet just went your opportunity to make a positive and lasting first impression.

The other consideration is that you already have a website.  That's great, but is it working for you?  Is it sending the message you want it to send?  It may have been at one time, but is it still?  Has it even been updated recently?  And what about it's functionality?  Are you getting the most productivity out of your site that you can, or is the thing just one big burden?

Websites today, if designed or redesigned correctly, can be simplified enough where most anyone in your organization can maintain its content.  Although a facelift may be required, managing it afterwards does not have to be a frightening task.  Content Management Systems (CMS) such as Drupal, for example, provide such an easy-to-use environment, working with website consultants is no longer cost prohibitive.

I don't care if you are a one person show, an aspiring company with new innovations, a behemoth bent on devouring the competition, or just a person with a dream.  If you do not have a website, you are losing to those who do.  There is only one exception I can think of regarding the discontinuation of your website efforts.  If you have a site that looks terrible, sends a confusing message, and contributes nothing positive to your direction, shut it down.  It's better to have no site at all than one that says 'good luck figuring us out'.