People expect you to have an online presence now. If they lose the business card you gave them, they'll probably try to enter your name or the facts they recall about you into a web search engine.

Right now, somewhere on the web, (or even in your local community) someone is looking for the services and products you offer. A search-engine-optimized web site can bring them to you.

Whether you want to demonstrate subject-area expertise, show off customer testimonials, link to a favorable review, or remind current customers of how responsive you are, having a web presence will help you build your professional brand.

You can tap into the proven, reliable online marketplace by building your own e-commerce site, leveraging other online selling services (like eBay, zShops, etc.), or simply listing your 800 number on your web site .

If you routinely deliver the same information over and over, you can deliver it in a web page or other electronic form rather than on paper.

Search engine marketing simply works better than any other form of online (or offline) promotion. It is a genuinely customer-focused marketing practice that puts you in front of people exactly when they are looking for you.