Recommendations for an organization's Internet presence.

Over the last ten years, the Internet has become a primary marketing channel for any organization wishing to expand. The low cost and wide reach of email, web sites and now RSS (Real Simple Syndication) has provided companies with a powerful, comprehensive, flexible system of providing customers and suppliers with up-to-date information about the business.

Email (and subscription newsletters) can be seen as the primary method of communication on the Internet and it is important that an email address should be obtained as soon as one starts to use the Internet.

A website can serve many functions: marketing a product or service; support information; direct sales, customer support and many, many more functions.

The latest in the Internet marketing portfolio is RSS, a new format for the delivery of information that improves on some of the shortcomings of the other two methods: it is automatic; enables web users to focus their attention on subjects that interest them; it is anonymous.

RSS feeds are simply web pages provided in a format that can be accessed on demand or on a schedule. If the content of the feed has changed, the new information is then automatically downloaded onto the users computer where is can be read, searched or printed.

Where email marketing methods, such as a newsletter, requires knowledge of the email address, the provision of an RSS feed enables people to obtain information without surrendering their privacy and email address. Where a website requires that the internet user visits the website and looks for new information, a RSS feed enables companies to automatically distribute information (including newsletters, images, audio and video files) to only those interested. Updating and changing the website is often expensive and time consuming, while a system providing updated information in an RSS feed can be updated very easily by anyone who can use Microsoft Word.

The three ways for a company to provide information each have their own strengths and weaknesses:
i) Email and newsletters build communications between customers and the company
ii) Although many websites are interactive, most small organisations can only afford a simple on-line brochure that introduce the company and its services and encourages customers to contact people in the organisation directly. This saves time and allows customers to understand the company.
iii) The success of RSS feeds depends to a large extent on regular updating. If new information is not provided on a regular basis it is likely that clients will unsubscribe.

A fully integrated electronic marketing structure for an organisation could include the following:
i) A website that includes product information and the location of the organisation’s branches and retail outlets. The website would also include links to RSS feeds and a subscription link for the organisation’s newsletter.
ii) A regularly delivered newsletter sent to established clients and suppliers and well as those whose register on the website.
iii) A RSS feed that provides the newsletter content, changes to the website and perhaps a company diary (aka Blog) that provides news of interest and is updated by a responsible member of staff. The more often the Blog is updated and more interesting the material provided, the more readers will subscribe.

We provide a comprehensive service that allows an organisation to simply maximise the power of the Internet without major expense.

·Provide customised websites, static or with database interactivity. Domain name and search engine registration, hosting and regular updates are included.
·Provides a comprehensive newsletter management system that includes guaranteed security; custom designed layout, editing, full subscriber control and monitored distribution.
·Provides a comprehensive set of RSS facilities: establishment and training in the recommended use of Blogs, podcasts and RSS feeds.

"A newsletter is like a restaurant, a waiter brings you the food;
A website is like a buffet meal, you go and get your food;
RSS is sushi restaurant where the food is displayed on a conveyor
and you select what you want as it goes past.”