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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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