It’s been 30 years since business websites first started appearing on the internet. Even if you weren’t online back then, you can image how much has changed. With dial-up modems, page loading was measured in minutes, not milliseconds! Image quality was far from HD, and location maps weren’t even a thing yet.
Websites were simply a presence on a futuristic platform that was just beginning to be accessible by consumers. As we all know though, it didn’t take very long for it to become the most advantageous platform for advertising ever created.
The thing is, many businesses still use their sites for the same single purpose they had it built for decades ago – as an advertisement. Sure, it’s the best advertising there is, particularly when used with services like SEO. But what’s worth thinking about is what else could your site be doing to help your business? Here’s an example of a site that uses internet technology to do more.
Northwest Stoves is BC company that distributes a wide range of fire places, stoves, and barbeques. They have hundreds of products from nine different brands that are sold by dealers throughout BC, Alberta, and Yukon. Their website is an advertisement for the company, and also a catalogue of every make and model they carry. In addition, a “dealer locator” search function tells consumers where they can purchase the product they want, which also helps the local dealers.
With customized backend functionality, dealers can login to research the type of product their client wants, view any safety requirements or recently reported issues, and download brochures of suitable stoves. The dealer can also order the stove, and download the most up to date installation instructions. Any safety bulletins that are issued after the order is placed, are automatically sent to the dealer, ensuring ongoing awareness.
So, Northwest Stoves’ website advertises for their company and for their dealers, and also supports both the consumer and the dealer network even beyond the sales cycle.
What else could your website be doing to improve your business? It’s something to think about. Give us a call if you want to brainstorm some ideas!
