A web site was once considered a luxury but today is a necessity. You don't need to start out with an elaborate site. As you track how your customers hear about you however, you may want to funnel extra funds into this area.

At a minimum your website must provide information about your service or product, how it will benefit your customer and how to contact you via email, postal mail, in person, and via telephone. An intuitive layout with easily legible words is most important. Photos, graphics and animated cartoons will get you ranked higher on the search engines, as will a blog which is updated frequently. Get help from a professional if you need it and be sure to check their references. In web design you often get what you pay for and if you get a "deal" you may get a bad website. Remember, you want to present the best image that you can and an investment in a good site will pay you great dividends in the long run. Check out many websites and find our who designed the ones you like.

Getting your name known is the key to growing your business. The more people who know you, the more people will know about your product or service. Join civic, business or social organizations. Volunteer for organizations where you will meet a wide variety of people. Walk around your neighborhood and introduce yourself to other businesses by dropping off your cards and brochures.

Remember, everyone is a potential customer or is a friend of a potential customer. Your belief in your product or service will impress others. Be creative, be willing, be flexible and be honest --people will remember you and promote you and your business.