Although it is difficult to get accurate statistics, it is estimated there are over 500 million people out there surfing the web, and half of those regularly. Studies also reveal that three out of four Internet users are in North America. With that many people out there searching, no business should be without a website. However, a search for cleaning services on Google brings up over 13 million entries. So can your cleaning company profit from being on the World Wide Web? Sure it can! But you need to be strategic about how to get visitors to your web site.

In today's competitive business world it does give you an edge up if you have a website presence. Your first contact with a new client may be through direct mail, the phone book, networking or print advertising. But many people will do research on the Internet on the products or services they are considering before making their final decision.

If you have a website, a potential client or even an existing customer can learn more about your company and the services that you have to offer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can put much more information on a website than you can on a brochure or in a phone book ad.

What should you put on your website? Your cleaning business can probably get by with a simple a 3 to 6-page, static type website. Suggested pages for your site include:

1) Home Page. This is the page people go to when they type in your website address (www.yourcompany.com). Make sure your home page draws people in by talking about "what's in it for them".

2) Services Page. Include all the services that you have to offer. This is a great place to go into detail about the cleaning services you provide. You can also include "before and after" photos.

3) About Us Page. List information about yourself, your training, certifications, memberships, and how long you have been in business. Be sure to include a photo. People like to see the face behind the website.

4) Products Page. If you sell products (even if you do not sell over the web) list what products you have available.

5) Contact Us Page. An e-mail address or phone number should be on every page of your website to make it easy for people to contact you. However, you can also put together a page that includes all of your contact information and even a form that people can fill out requesting more information or to ask for a bid. This helps to protect your e-mail address.

6) Testimonials. Get your current clients to write a few sentences on how pleased they are with your work.

Once your website is up and running, how do you get people to visit?

1) Include your website address on all your promotional materials. Look around and you will see that businesses have their website address on company vehicles, brochures, ads, business cards, and even their voice mail.

2) Include your website URL in your e-mail signature. E-mail programs will allow you to set up "signatures" that are automatically included at the end of your e-mail message. Be sure to list your business name and tagline, website URL, and any special offers or promotions.

3) Join your local Chamber of Commerce - they should have a website with listings of all their members. Their listing should include a link to your website. Many people who visit Chamber websites would like to do business with members, so having your business and website listed will generate visitors to your website. There may also be banner ad opportunities so ask your Chamber for ad rates.

4) Be sure to include your website URL in your yellow pages ad. Most people would rather check out your company on the Internet before calling. I've noticed that few cleaning companies list their website in their yellow pages ad (probably because they don't have one), so they're missing a big opportunity.

5) Submit your site to online directories like Google Local - http://www.local.google.com. If people DO search for a cleaning company, they'll most likely search for janitorial services in their city. For example, "janitorial services in MyTown, California". If you're listed in the online directories, your listing should come up. A few others are http://www.superpages.com, http://www.yellowpages.com, and http://www.411.com.

6) Check with your local paper. They may have a directory where you can list your site. Or see how much it costs to place a banner ad on their web site.

7) Write a press release about your business and post it at an online press release service like http://www.prweb.com. When I search for janitorial services in my local town, a press release that I sent out came up on the first page.

A website is not the only way to attract customers to your cleaning business. However, websites are a great way to "showcase" your business and present in-depth information that your clients and potential clients can access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your website can help your clients and potential clients understand the many services you cleaning company can provide. And providing more services to more customers means more profit!