Your Website as a Time Management Tool
By: Janet Barclay

It is no secret that a website is an important marketing tool. Even small businesses who only serve local customers are increasingly finding a home on the Internet. But did you know your website can also be a time management tool? Let’s look at a few ways that your website can help you save valuable time.

Unlike a printed flyer or brochure, there is no limit to the amount of information you can include on your website. As long as it is well-written and easy-to-navigate, your website can answer the questions asked by your typical client, facilitating more efficient communication. By educating prospective clients about your services before they call you or send you an email, by the time they contact you, they are already on their way to doing business with you. As a result, you’ll spend less time repeating the same information day after day, and you’ll be able to move the sales process along more quickly.

A popular method of displaying this type of information is to set up a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. Website visitors appreciate this format because it allows them to go straight to the questions they have in mind and find the answers quickly and easily. You can even refer clients and prospects to specific FAQ’s on your website.

To get started, make a list of the questions you are often asked about your services, then write a brief answer for each one. If it is difficult to answer some questions concisely, consider splitting them into two or more questions. To allow your website visitors to locate the information they need quickly and easily, it is recommended that you list all of the questions at the top of the FAQ page with links to the answers lower down the page as seen on the Firefox FAQ page, or on separate pages, as seen on author Kathy Stinson’s FAQ page.

You can also streamline your sales process with the use of a contact form on your website that includes questions such as “Where did you hear about us?” as well as any information you will require before you can provide a quote.

You may wish to have your flyers, brochures, or other materials available as downloads in PDF format. This will not only be a benefit to your website visitors, but will allow you to print out any items you may occasionally need when you are away from your office.

Depending on your clients’ comfort level with technology, and on the nature of your business, you may benefit from the use of an online appointment scheduler, or a section of your website where clients can log in to check the status of their account or their projects.

You already have a website - why not use it to its full advantage, and save time for both you and your clients? The less time you spend on routine communication, the more you can focus on service delivery and developing business relationships.

Janet Barclay, Organized Assistant, offers a variety of professional quality services to support entrepreneurs and other individuals who are overwhelmed by the demands and technology of the 21st century. For further information or to request a subscription to her monthly ezine, The Organized Assistant Resource, please visit her website at http://www.organizedassistant.com

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