Virtual vs. reality

By Industrial Distribution Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 5/1/1999

I was just reading your article "Virtual vs. reality" [March, 1999] and was impressed. We are a small company looking at the beginning stages of a Web site. I was wondering if you have any other information available or could lead me into the correct direction to find out more of what I "don't" want to do.

I was also wondering if you have seen any studies in regards to ballpark prices to get a Web site up and going. I realize that there are very many variables to consider, but I would like to find out if I'm talking $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 or more.

Again, I always look forward to reading your articles every month.

Kevin Grulke,

Machine Shop Supply

Dear Kevin,

Your question is quite common. First of all, decide how big of a leap you want to take onto the Web. Do you plan on your Web site being strictly a marketing vehicle or do you want to conduct some electronic commerce with customers?

Second, talk to some like-minded distributors (fellow trade association members?) about their foray onto the Web; often the best advice comes from people who've been through it -- they can tell you where they spent too much money and also where they should have budgeted more money for it. Third, decide who at your company will be responsible for your online product. Again, if it's a simple site with a home page plus a few product pages and an e-mail address, you won't need to hire a Webmaster just yet. However, if your goal is to make a big splash on the Internet and begin fulfilling orders, then you will want to devote someone full time to the job.

Except for the e-commerce piece, a Web site doesn't need to cost thousands of dollars to create, but money should definitely be devoted to the initial launch of the site as well as maintenance and updates to the site. You have four options in creating and maintaining a Web site, and there are pros and cons to each: 1. Hire your local Internet Service Provider. 2. Hire a college student or business/marketing group on campus. 3. Hire a consultant. 4. Put a Web person on your payroll. A final piece of advice is to talk with your customers about what they want from you in terms of a Web site; and talk to your vendors -- see if they can spare some co-op money to help you get up and running.

Sara Procknow,

Web Editor