Question

You are to select 1 business that does not already have a Web site, and develop an Internet strategy for it. Most large corporations already have Web sites, so you may have to think of something on a smaller scale such as a local bike store. Sole proprietorship businesses that provide services like car repair, house cleaning, tax preparation, and that use the Internet and similar services are also good options. You will also consider and describe how the business that you select can use social media to achieve its objectives. Use the Internet and the library to research and analyze markets and competitors.

After selecting a business, you will need to answer the following questions 1040 to 1400 words:

What Internet business model would be appropriate for the company to follow in creating a Web site and why?

In what ways can the business benefit from a Web site? What functions should it perform for the company (e.g., marketing, sales, customer support, internal communications, etc.)?

In what other ways might the company use the Internet for its own benefit?

Prepare functional specifications for the company's use of the Web and the Internet. Include links to and from other sites in your design.

Prepare a list of technological specifications for implementation (e.g., what hardware and software are necessary to support your design)?

Answer 1

KIDLY RATE THE ANSWER AS THUMBS UP. THANKS A LOT.

    In our generation the importance of web site is high and it looks like every business whether its big business or small business, whether its private organization or government company every business needs the result of technological advancements and progress in the form of what we call Web site.

    Like its stated above on the question most of big organization develop their own business website so the that my work will cover the importance of business website for small business organizations. Paper also put emphasis on additional benefits which a company can get from the presence over internet. For efficient implementation of website recommended functional specification and technical requirements (software and hardware) are also included in the paper.

The small company that I select for the purpose of internet and website development model is located in Houston, TX and the name of the business is National Taxi-cab co. I have a chance to work with a friend who used to work with this company and he shared me some important points that I’m going to use to express my views on developing website for the business.

• What Internet business model would be appropriate for the company to follow in creating a Web site and why?

   In creating a website for the company I mentioned above following the proper way and useful points to company is very important. A website is a place where a company introduces itself to its consumers and customers. Internet business models cover business-to-business, business-to-consumer and consumer-to-consumer.SmallBusiness Company should adopt the model which is best suited for Business-to-consumer model. Manufacturer (Direct) Model would be appropriate for the company for creation of their web site.

• In what ways can the business benefit from a Web site? What functions should it perform for the company (e.g., marketing, sales, customer support, internal communications, etc.)?

A company’s website is where the company introduces its products to a new customers and where it updates all the new changes and exchange all the necessary information to its existing consumers. Web site enhance customer convenience as it is available 24*7 throughout the year, it’s always there to listen customers request and to give a positive response to them. It increases the reach ability of the business to across the globe. Allow to promote business portfolio in quick time and in very cost effective manner.

It allows cost cutting for the business in both ways like requirement of human resources reduces as all the data gathering,billing get handled by website and for marketing and branding costs on brochures, print ads, newsletters, flyers and mailings reduces. A website of company provides much functionality over the web. It provides space for advertisement; allow effective marketing by creating database of customer and by showing complete details of product or service. It work as a sale point by maintain billing details online. Allow company to handle customer support efficiently as provide interface for customer to directly be in touch with company through live chat options or email options.

• In what other ways might the company use the Internet for its own benefit?

Company can use the Internet for market research. For creating an effective marketing and sales plan marketing research is an essential ingredient. “Market research feeds the knowledge base of an organization whether it is a commercial one or one that is not for profit”( Callingham, 2004). Company can conduct online survey like new service/product Concept Analysis, Customer Attitudes and Expectations, Customer Intention – Purchase Analysis. All these will be beneficial to know the market condition.

Company might use Blogs and Social Network sites to gather customer’s feedback given on different platform about their product or competitor’s product. Online services Technorati and Google Alerts helps to find out for what customers are talking and what feedback they are giving. Over internet company can also go to Competitor Links and can get more information about their products. All these information allow company to review their products as per the customer need and market trends and ensure the profitability.

• Prepare functional specifications for the company's use of the Web and the Internet. Include links to and from other sites in your design.

Functional specifications are the main and very important concepts for the company website developers to start with in a process of developing the website. A website should answer all necessary questions regarding the company. For example the website which for a company I suggest above should answer the following questions.

5. Fares from one place to other
5. Types of vehicles in use
5. Promotions
5. Company contact information
5. Information about the company.

• Prepare a list of technological specifications for implementation (e.g., what hardware and software are necessary to support your design)?

To support this design of web site development and deploying on server first need is to take a online domain name. Proposed domain name for website is “www.taxhelper.com”. Software required - Web site will be developed in the Java technology as it enhances the security and provides efficient connection with payment gateways. To show dynamic request processing AJAX will be used. Oracle 12 c database will be used and to create tables and access it for development Oracle client software will be used. For UI creation ExtJs and HTML5 will be used. For testing the website Testing tools like Selenium and Test NG are required. To test compliance against section 508, Deque Systems Tool, AccVerify (HiSoftware) are required. Support from a third party secure payment gateway like Visa, Master is also required.Hardware requirement are as following. For development workstations with 4 GB RAM and windows 8 Operating system with hard disk 500 GB is required. For server purpose windows 2012 is required to host the website. 1-2 TB of hard disk is required for database initially. In bandwidth and hosting requirement dedicated internet line with scalable bandwidth up to 100 Mbps is required.

References

• AIU Online reading Material
• AIU online learning Materials
• Callingham, M. (2004). Market Intelligence: How and why Organizations Use Market Research(1st ed.). Kogan Page Limited.
• Rappa, M. (2010, January 1). Business Models On The Web. Retrieved from