Customers expect local, national and international businesses to have a website. It's considered a key method of communication, providing a global shop window for your goods and services.

The absence of a website may negatively affect your customers' perception of your business.

As your customers already request your goods or services via email, it's logical to provide an online ordering and payment service.

Your business may benefit from a website that allows customers to review your goods or services, order and pay online. This would usually include:

• a description of your goods, products and services
• an online store with descriptions, images and prices
• online forms for enquiries and orders
• online payment options
• delivery options
• regional branch details and opening times
• contact information

If you are a limited company or an incorporated company, your website should also include your:

• registered name
• registered office and geographic addresses
• place of registration

The website will become a shop window for your goods and services and form a crucial sales channel with existing and prospective customers. Allowing online ordering and payment will mean your business is trading 24 hours a day to a global audience. Fulfilment of orders made using your website will be a key challenge in ensuring customer satisfaction. Regular updates to the site are also vital in maintaining interest and repeat visits and orders.

When you commission this type of website ensure that you:

• budget for the cost of maintenance and updates
• have processes in place to deal with enquiries, orders, payments and deliveries

Websites of this type can typically cost up to $15,000 to build and may cost upwards of $2,500 per year to maintain, depending on your needs. However, there is no upper limit. Additionally, you may have to pay commission fees to third party service providers such as online payment processors.

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For more information see our guide on planning for eCommerce.

For more information on establishing a website that will allow your customers to place and pay for orders, see our guide on how to create an online shop.