The power of a website cannot be underestimated, as world e-commerce is on the upswing. E-commerce observers predict that much of world trade will transpire online, and even local businesses, like e.g. a hardware store or cake shop, benefit from having their own website.

True enough, statistics from various sources show that the number of Internet users continues to rise steadily, and these users turn to the web regularly for the following reasons to gain information, to develop a social network, to be entertained, and to shop online.

Particularly if your company is in any of the following industries, you should most definitely establish your presence in cyberspace:

* Technology

* Entertainment

* Publishing

* Networking

* Travel-related businesses

* Book and music retailing

* Investments

* Utility companies and

* Petroleum-related businesses

While you can sell almost anything on the Internet, you stand a good chance of making a sale with the top selling items of computer hardware and software, information products like e-books and tutorials, travel services, health and fitness products, cosmetics, books and music, clothing and toys.

Admittedly, there are some things that are not being purchased online, and these are usually the big ticket items like luxury cars, high-end jewelry, and brand new high fashion items. Most of the retailers of these items, however, still maintain very impressive websites as showrooms for their premium products. Websites help to allow potential buyers to get more information about your company. A website allows a client to look at and study your products online before deciding to buy something at your nearest outlet.

You do not have to be a retail business to have a website - even companies who do not involve any retail activity have websites. If you are not in the retail trade, you may still use your website to provide comprehensive information about your company and its business. An informative website may also be the starting point for business relationships especially if contact information like an email address is published on the site.

There are other activities that your company may conduct online in connection with its business, such as:

* Market research

* Public relations

* Advertising

* Customer service

* Product information

* Product promotion

* Media relations

* Technical service

* Intracompany communications

You should consider what the average Internet user is like before designing your website and choosing what products or services to offer online. Here are some of the more common characteristics of web users:

A lot of them are young, usually between the ages of 25-44 years old.

* They are educated, affluent or well-paid.

* They prefer to spend time surfing the Net than watching TV.

* They communicate by email and by phone.

* Much of their spare time is spent browsing through websites.

So, whether your goal is to generate interest in your new company or to conduct sales of your products online, you can only benefit by having a website.