No matter whom your customers are or what kind of services you provide, your service business can benefit from a presence on the Web.

Benefit #1:  A Web site is an easy way to share information about your business

Whether your Web site contains basic information about your business or allows users to make appointments, request estimates or pay their bills, every business can benefit from having a presence on the Web.  A Web site can serve as a place for people to go to learn about the services your business provides.  Having a site can lend an air of "legitimacy" to a business, especially a new business or one that doesn't have a physical location. 

Plus, a Web site can be used to share much more information than other tools such as yellow pages ads.  A Web site can deliver information-and convey a little personality, too!  So, if your business is family-owned and operated you can include "historical" photos if the business has been around for a number of years.  Giving potential customers a feeling as to who you are as well as the services you provide, will help your business stand out from the clutter.

Benefit #2:  A Web site influences the purchasing decisions of your prospective customers

With the increasing popularity of online directories, shopping and research, people are accustomed to using the Web to evaluate their purchasing options.  As prospective customers increasingly use the Web to look for service providers, it is important for businesses to have a Web site that works hard for your business.

Web users should, at a minimum, be able to gather the basics of your business from your site-hours of operation, location (if applicable), geographic areas where your services are provided and contact information.  If you have expanded your services or if you are changing something about the services you provide (e.g., your service area), your site can be updated to reflect that "newsworthy" information as well.  For example, if you are a roofer who focuses on slate roofs only, you can use your site to ensure that prospects know about the specific services you provide. 

Your site can also display certifications, reviews from local consumer publications, information on specialty services you provide as well as photos or examples of previous work. These are all ways to empower your business by standing out from the competition-and driving potential customers to you.

Benefit #3: A Web site can keep the conversation going 24/7

Information on your site can provide potential customers with the information they need, whenever they need it.  This will limit the number of phone calls you receive and messages you need to return to answer basic questions about your operations.  This also means that when a prospect who has viewed your site calls your business, they will already know the key facts.

Utilizing more interactive techniques on your site (blogs, for example), asking customers to e-mail questions and updating the site frequently can also facilitate communication with your customers that does not require you to be on the phone during valuable work hours. .  Including your site on Web directory pages that contain your business information will mean that more users will be able to learn key information during their research.

Finally, there may be times when you have a full slate of projects.  For example, you may offer tree removal services but may be at capacity for a short time after a big storm.  A Web site can be used to communicate that information and also be used to collect interested prospect contact details, so you are able to follow up with them when your schedule frees up.

These are some of the key benefits-but certainly not the only ones-that a service business can realize through a strong, professional presence on the Web.