Business Magazine | BABM | Systemizing | Top 10 Reasons NOT to Enhance Your Web Store

Nobody actually believes that quote from Andrew Agassi in his 1990’s Kodak commercials where he said “Image is Everything!” With Google Earth, street view navigation, Internet dating and Facebook photos now everywhere, business owners can be confident that most consumers of your products and services would not care about the company image you have online. That Front Page ™ website and photos of you in your leisure suit are looking “Pretty Sweet” these days!

9. The global marketplace is not important.

The world is SUCH a big place and we all know that what happens to our neighbors around the world could not have much effect on us! The Crisis in Afghanistan and the riots in Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Egypt are TOO far away to bother us. Surely no one in Europe, South America or Asia would want our products or services, so there would be no need to be concerned about the rest of the world.

8. No one cares about researching product information before they make a purchase.

Surely no one would care to take all the time and effort to actually do research on your products, services, reliability or reputation before making a purchase. Just because that little company called Google ™ might return some relevant information on the topic does not mean anyone would search it, Right?

7. No one can offer products as efficiently as you can.

If your current process of getting products to your customers is highly automated and requires very little labor or supervision then there would be no need to enhance your website to make it more efficient. If order entry, stock status, purchasing and accounting functions are completely automated and almost run themselves, then stick with it and don’t worry about new technology.

6. The younger 'iPhone' generation is not buying online.

Of course we all know that young people don’t have jobs, so they don’t have money, so they can’t buy anything, Right? And just because the 20 some things are beginning to take management rolls in all sorts of companies doesn’t mean they would actually SHOP for your products or services on their iPhones, now does it?

5. Your current order entry system is streamlined and exceptionally easy.

Sure, it would save you the time and effort of doing the order entry yourself, but who wants to offload that task to their customers? Whether you are in retail, wholesale or manufacturing, you have customers who would NEVER be willing to enter their own orders on their computer screens or mobile devices. Your existing method of taking orders is probably substantially easier and more efficient anyway.

4. You don’t mind asking your staff to do more and more work just to keep up.

Everyone knows that those who do still have jobs today have life pretty easy. There is not much to do within most organizations, so giving your employees a little more to do each day would be a big help. Sure, their Twitter posts might be a little less frequent, but your employees won’t mind having more work. With extra work, they may still find opportunities for several good games of solitaire in their spare time.

3. Consumers will never find out that similar products might be available somewhere else.

The great thing about a local storefront is that when a potential customer is in your store they are 'captive' to your products and prices. Just because nearly every smartphone now has a barcode reader and a fast connection to the Internet, no one should worry about that customer finding a better price anywhere else.

2. Consumers are flocking to malls and shopping centers.

Just because Borders books is going out of business and Macy's is laying off hundreds of store clerks, and the fact that every shopping plaza you see has vacant shops, there is no reason for concern. People still LOVE to fight the traffic, endure the crowds, haggle with cranky sales clerks and just get to the Malls for FUN!

1. Gas prices are going to continue to drop.

With worldwide unrest increasing at an alarming rate, there is certainly no need to think that oil prices might rise and gasoline might climb to unthinkable heights. Thus customers will surely have no issues with continuing to drive to your place of business to purchase the goods and services you offer.

If any of this does NOT seem to be so true, then maybe you should consult with someone who is in the business of helping companies bring their websites up-to-date, automating the online processes and providing fully integrated software that helps you “Simplify Your Life, Sell More Product and Have More Fun”!

About the Author
David M. Boos, CEO of Cornerstone Consulting has almost 40 years of experience in the computer industry. Dave began in 1983 servicing the PC based accounting software market. Cornerstone has since grown from a one-man operation to current operations in Tampa, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia and Los Angeles, California. With added divisions of accounting and E-commerce software sales, custom programming, website design and Internet hosting. Dave is Novell and Microsoft Certified and is an Authorized Dealer for a wide variety of products including Microsoft, Sage and SAP Software. You can reach Dave at www.cornerstone1.com.