It is very important for any business before it goes on-line to create concrete plans for how the business will use the Internet. If no plans are made for Internet usage and all of the responsibilities that accompany Internet adoption are not considered, then it is most probably that the business is obtaining Internet access for the wrong reason.
Some of the wrong reasons to conduct business on the Internet include the following:
•The competition is doing it
•Something bad will happen if we don’t
•Somebody really smart said we should
•We’ll look behind the times if we don’t
•Everybody is doing it
•To be way cool,
Conducting business online is complicated efforts that require many resources of both time and money. Any internet project of this size and significance must be carefully planned before implementation. The major mistake that can be made is to fail to allocate resources for planning, implementing, monitoring, maintaining, expanding, and improving Internet services and publications.
Outdated Web sites and unmonitored e-mail accounts reveal a business’ lack of commitment to the business Internet strategy. More notably, this Internet insincerity can result in poor customer service, lost customers, low employee morale, and a flawed public image.
The planning process is important because it involves the following:
•Clear business’ goals
•Defined objectives your employees are expected to meet
•Knowing how the Internet might benefits the business
•Fixed budget
The final plan a business develop is known as an Internet Business Strategy. This strategy should specify if and how the business will achieve the following:
•Provide Internet access to all employees
•Publish information and market products or services via a Web site
•Communicate among employees and with customers via e-mail
