In just a few short decades, the Internet has changed how almost every business functions. In fact, recent estimates suggest that at least 82% percent of small businesses in the United States now maintain an online presence by marketing their products or services with a traditional website. In addition, many also routinely use other web-based technology options, such as allowing employees to telecommute, or using one or more forms of social media to create interest in their products or to help expand their customer or client base. If your business is primarily web-based, such as an E-commerce, web design, or some type of forum or community membership site, the following tips just might help you take it to the next level of success. 

Cover the Basics 

No matter what level of quality your product or service provides, potential clients and customers will never see them unless you provide them with instant access. Every visit to your site should create an enjoyable, effortless experience. If they find your site loads slowly or seems clunky or cumbersome, the average Internet user will quickly leave your site and move on to a competing one that offers a better experience.

The first step in avoiding this problem is to ensure that your ISP is providing enough available bandwidth to service the needs of your business. In addition, it is important to ensure that the technology used by both your business and your ISP is up-to-date and sufficiently sized for both your current and future needs. This is especially important if you are utilizing a managed hosting services provider, because the choices they make for the technology they use will have a direct impact on your business. If the equipment they use to host your website is outdated or inferior, your marketing efforts are likely to be affected in a negative manner.

A better option for Internet business owners who have either grown their business exponentially or are poised to do so is to utilize colocation, instead of a traditional ISP or managed hosting provider. Colocation allows business owners the freedom to choose and customize all the technology and expand or update it easily, as the business grows. Servers, firewalls and even customized networks can be added or revised, as needed, to ensure that the company has room to grow and potential customers and clients have the best possible user experience. 

Make it Secure

Another important concern that every Internet business must take seriously is security. Not only is security, such as firewalls, encryption and virus protection, necessary to foil hackers and keep business data, client lists and financial information safe, it is also imperative that good security be utilized to protect visitors to your site from identity theft and other types of loss. Your colocation services provider can help you assess your current security and offer advice on any changes that would benefit your business to help it remain safe as it grows. 

Maximize Every Opportunity

A modern Internet business must successfully compete in a global marketplace with thousands of competitors. To create an advantage that will allow your business to grow, it is important to ensure that you maximize every opportunity to not only provide the best product or service, but also to make it easy for your happy customers to help attract other customers.  

To do this, make sure that you are providing them with:

• an enjoyable website experience that will encourage repeat visits
• a convenient way to leave reviews after each interaction or transaction
• a responsive option to access customer service or some type of assistance in case they have a question or problem
• referral codes, coupons or other information that is interesting enough to share with their social media contacts, friends and family

By taking these steps, your Internet business will be better situated to attract more visitors to your site and improve its chances for maximum growth and profits. To learn more about colocation services, check out a company like Cologix.