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customers to make reservations or appointments online; manage finances,

such as online banking, tax and employee pay; and research competitors.

LEVERAGING FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Business, as well as the variety of online tools available, is

constantly changing and evolving. While a company might not plan to

have a website immediately when it start operating, it's still a good idea

to think about whether it will need one at a later date and for what purpose

it will be used. When a company is planning online aspects of business it

should research competitors and other businesses that use online tools;

decide what aspects of online business will be beneficial; review their

budget to work out what they can afford; familiarize themselves with any

laws and regulations that will apply to their online business activities;

consider their requirements, including what software they need and what

types of computer equipment would be required to run it; plan for risks,

such as computer viruses, scams, data theft and loss of or damage to

hardware; think about what training their staff might need; and be realistic

about the time and budget they will need to manage the online aspects of

business.

PROVIDING SERVICES ONLINE

A company can provide a wide range of services online. Offering

services online provides opportunities for companies to reach more

customers, which can help to grow business and succeed in a competitive

marketplace. Providing services online is an effective way for further

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