Basta Parsons

7 . Advice for Other Companies

After managing the web project from start to finish, Peter has the following recommendations, for other companies:

• Make sure your housekeeping is done before starting web integration – make sure your product files make sense!
• Ensure all staff training is completed before rollout, with all personnel being able to use email and spread sheets
• Pick an experienced company to build your site, ideally someone with knowledge of your industry
• Agree a time schedule between your company and the web development team – it must be flexible on both sides to allow for the unexpected
• Get a good email system internally, you cannot have a web system without email
• Think about who your customers are, ask them what they want, and listen to them
• Regard your site as a different sales channel, you may not get countless new customers, but it will allow you to hold on to existing ones for longer. Any new customers you do secure will benefit from the increased efficiencies offered by your service.”