Executive Summery
This paper demonstrates the various uses of company websites. The objective is to carry out a broad analysis on the relevance and significance of websites in business operations. It explores the various techniques and tools used in website design and administration. The study is based on comparative analysis of website data on marketing administration, recruitment, online trade, and statistical highlights on the success of websites (ratios on profitability, efficiency, and safety).
In addition, percentages are used in the analysis to monitor changes overtime when websites are embraced by companies. Besides, the concepts affordability and success of a communicative tool measured in terms of the initial and final outcome reflected by improved sales, management, and balance are discussed.
In relation to this, analysis of websites tools laid down for support, governance, and paradigm shift as communication technology experience metamorphosis are quantified. These tools include customization cursors, administrative components, and segments structured to guide authorized users either to edit or post a comment, feedback, and complaints.
A table is used to portray trend of various variables in the study as part of the response by the interviewed managers. In addition, the treatise aims at reviewing an efficient, successful, cost effective and secure website system to ensure competitive service provision. Finally, the results are interpreted based on ideal situations and recommendations are made based on the findings.
Introduction
Background of the study
Often, emerging businesses demands information flow and dimensional communication systems modeled in websites. Irrespective of the size and geographical area of operations, websites have become an essential part of company’s operations on the facets and the need for optimal operation.
Websites are an essential tool for marketing, purchase, recruitment, customer services, and communication from within and without a company setting, relationship between staff and management, and market segmentation. Across the globe, small, medium, and large business organizations have embraced the essence of owning a website from which all its activities are centralized and managed either by a single administrative server or variant systems depending on the sustainability and the cost factor.
Different models of websites exist from simple to complex models for larger international companies which aim to cut a niche in the competitive market. From a website, depending on its design, it is possible for a potential customer, employee, and the general public to have a quick access of services offered by a company and even trade or purchase goods online without necessarily having to appear physically.
This has been made possible by technological revolution and inventions aimed at remodeling efficiency, reducing redundancy, and embracing systematic orientations. Also, communication is an essential aspect of business organization. Reflectively, communication is defined as an empowering tool for encoding and decoding information along the desired channel for a positive feed back and profitability.
Purpose of the study
The design and limits of accompany website depends mainly on the cost of maintenance and design, relevance, and sustainability (Chaffey 29). In any business operation, essence of cost management and minimization is the basic strength for sustainability at accepted levels. Besides, relevance surrounds affordability and success of a communicative tool measured in terms of the initial and final outcome reflected by improved sales, management, and balance.
In relation to this, analysis of websites will include tools laid down for support, governance, and paradigm shift as communication technology experience metamorphosis. These tools include customization cursors, administrative components, and segments structured to guide authorized users either to edit or post a comment, feedback, and complaints.
Website use depends on the magnitude of information processing, decision faculty, and collocation efficiency especially in marketing, identity, recruitment, and departmental control (Chaffey 20). These factors operate simultaneously and are dependent of each other thought existing as independent component.
In retrospect, it is necessary to address interacting facets of information marketing management and efficiency in communication via use of a customized website. Reflectively, customization ensured uniqueness and quality for every website owning company irrespective of the line of business. This research treatise examines the various uses and design of company websites for orders, information, storefront, communication, job recruitment, and marketing.
Besides, quantifiable website progress and interpretation for successful, efficient, and modern communication system management are addressed as constituents of organization management framework (Samii 23). In addition, the treatise aims at reviewing an efficient, successful, cost effective, and secure website system to ensure competitive service provision.
Problem statement
Overtime, companies are faced with the need to develop an all round and comprehensive websites which are secure, reliable and relevant to their line of operation. The websites must factor in the desired goals, the market niche, potential customer base, employee data base, and recruitment segment. In the process of developing the desired management tool, there is need to align management goals vertically on the operating processors affordable in the value market chain.
Since the success of any business operation depends on the quality and skills of the management practicum, stringent and practical organization tool then are essential. Unfortunately, sometimes, this is not the case especially when vertical arrangement is erased by coalitions of competence and structural operations characterized by conflict of interest, poor structural monitor, and ignorance.
To achieve the desired outcomes such as comprehensive information efficiency, security, and optimal information presentation, there is an immediate need to establish the most reliable website design for appropriate system administration and functionality within optimal, efficient, and cost effective bundle of operation (Wang 45).
These faculties have been made possible by the revolution in information technology and the need for expansion into fresh markets. However, in the process of organizing a communication tool such as website, it is practical and of essence for every company to factor in the goals and desired outcome of such investments.
Research Hypothesis
Often connected to a network system, examples of websites include simple and complex models depending on the quantity of information available in it. Website functionality and sustainability is of essence in business since it forms the focal point of operation. When properly designed and executed to capture as much information as possible at an affordable hosting cost, the outcome is predictable and growth guaranteed.
A comprehensive review of the design and use is vital when assembling information sharing components. When necessary, these components and design should lie on the acceptable and relevant operation goals. Thus, the hypothesis of this research study is to review design and appropriate use of business websites as a form of information sharing within business environment in the twenty first century.
Specifically, this research paper analyses the various uses of company websites in promoting sales, communicating to clients, updating markets on new offers, and managing personnel recruitment process within a centralized information sharing tool.
Literature Review
Theoretical frameworks
According to Swart and Kinnie (2003), websites are essential in processing, retrieving, storing and distribution information about a company’s products, services, human resource, management systems and marketing for competitive existence and relevance (Swart and Kinnie 33).
Since these websites are modeled and customized to fit into the desired company operation model, they are safe, more reliable and easy to use and administer. Besides, each part can be assign a specific functionality, information fragment, and back up search engines. The main components of a business website include the company profile, announcements, online trade, blackboard, and information update buttons.
The company profile presents a brief overview of the company in terms of its history, size, geographical location, line of operation, and the type of business it handles. In the announcement section, there are periodic updates the company releases to the public. In the complex model, this section may also factor in daily operation outcomes and updates on operations.
Moreover, in the online trade segment, the company may post and update its products and sell the same online to potential buyers. Besides, any promotion, product campaign, and success of such an activity may feature periodically though subjected to flexible drive at that time. In the blackboard section, the site may be customized to allow for comments, complaints, and complements by the entire client base.
In addition, for some companies, this segment is run by a team of experienced customer service executives available for either a live chart or post question-answer sessions. These buttons are designed in a way that can monitor and detect alterations. From a software control system, websites have security systems, operation programs, utility support, and management systems running concurrently as programmed by support team who act as the system administrators (Swart and Kinnie 63).
Websites can be customized to perform information processing requirements within a security monitoring range. Website system facilitates information sharing and marketing at micro and macro levels of the market segmentation. Factually, the essence of operating a website is for information dispersal and progress review.
Methodology
Data Collection
Business managers often have sole responsibility of managing information systems and marketing. Depending on the nature of the market and demand, this role is vital is guaranteeing sustainability and profitability. Every year, the management set goals and flexible development plans aimed at facilitating growth in information sharing and advertising products offered in the company website.
These roles are defined by the need to achieve, meet targets, and if possible establish new markets for finished products and services. For efficient information sharing, it must be viable and fall within the brackets efficiency bundles defined at the beginning of every financial year. Website design is the focal point of its operation and inclusively especially when the company has a complex market and operations network.
By employing open-ended questionnaires in direct interviews, the research targets information managers of medium business companies who are assigned the role responsibility of monitoring the entire operation systems. Due to the small sample size of the managers to be interviewed on the research problem, open-ended questionnaire method suits the goal of this research as each company has a unique type of social site and their operations independent of one another in a sample space of 10.
The questions to ask revolves around information, communication, recruitment, advertisement, and store front management as part of information available in a website. Since general managers are in the best position to answer questions related to the research problem, they were preferred.
In addition, issues on reliability, efficiency, and security of this form of information sharing system are also asked. In the study conducted, secondary sources of information were also embraced besides direct interview. Specifically, these responses were tabulated as shown below.
After data collection, simple swot analysis inclusive of quantitative correlation analysis of responses given is included on the inference. The findings revealed that company websites are essential in sharing information, management, and advertisement as a mean for maintaining a competitive edge and relevancy in service provision.
Data Presentation
The table below shows the frequency of positive feedback from the ten managers interviewed. Responses are graded depending on the degree of positivism and negativity in response. The responses are assign ranges from one to ten.
Key: A-J, Managers interviewed
2-10, Responses graded
Key: fb-Feedback
Typical Example of a Company Website Structure
Discussion and Analysis
The convenience of clients is almost guaranteed in the websites with a ‘contact us link’ (Samii 44). Explanations on relevance and use of company websites in information sharing clearly indicate a complete paradigm shift in marketing and information management. Besides, the company is able to monitor and control information traffic. Websites depend on availability of a network connection such as the internet. Thus, websites are specific on the audience targeted.
The company may not have to incur repeated printing or mailing cost as information sharing is based on e-mailing, live chart, and other connectivity tools. For instance, at IPWatchdog, graphicmail.com facilitates online posting of emails and soft copies of letters which is comparatively less expensive than posting hard copies. Besides, ‘Constant Contact’ service has proven to be essential for small, medium, and large business organizations.
Companies which have embraced website fully as a marketing tool benefited as reflected in the increased online sales. Companies with products trading online often pass the set targets as payments and purchases are made at the comfort of the customer. As more and more people embrace technology, the need for convenience in purchasing has grown substantially. Websites has enabled customers to do their shopping online from order, request for delivery, to making payments.
In the websites, recruitment has been made easier as potential employees can apply for vacant positions online. Due to this recruitment process has been made easier and convenient for both companies and their potential staff. In the websites, job applications are possible upon filling an online form. Sometimes, to save time, some companies opt for online interviews which do not require much in terms of cost.
At the end of the day, the company is able to absorb the best among the many interviewees without necessarily having to face the difficult task of turning away applicants who have undergone physical interview. Moreover, customers are given an opportunity to air their compliment and complaints for services offered to them. Besides, dissatisfied customer may type suggestions for future improvement in service provision.
Thus, company websites are an essential tool for keeping in touch and interacting with clients on all issues (Wang 27). In advanced website models, there are supportive staffs that manage and answers questions posted by customers in live chart. As companies make alterations to factor in the comments provided, differentiation and brand growth is likely to improve as communication enhances. Customers who get prompt responses on their inquiries would tend to appreciate and maintain loyalty.
Naturally, satisfaction is the key to a long working relationship. When the customers can find what their need by just a click of the button made possible in the company website, a lot of time for value is preserved (Samii 34). As an advertising tool, websites offer opportunity to customers to purchase goods from the comfort of their homes and make the company have a competitive edge above other players.
As a matter of fact, business websites remain to be an important aspect of sustainable operation as it offers the much needed link between parties involved in a transaction. As technological advances emerge, business, irrespective of the size, have adopted simple models of websites controlled form a central place.
Conclusion and Recommendation
As the social media grows, companies have embraced online marketing methodology in the form of social media websites where they can interact with clients and potential customers. Websites have become a necessity in business operations especially for technology dependant marketing. Irrespective of the model, websites facilitate communication and exchange of goods and services for companies across the globe.
At present, the transport industry, banking, education, public service, and private small, medium, and large organizations have actively embraced website as a socials site for business activities. Despite the eminent threat of hacking, the merits of website on companies supersede the demerits at any level. Social medias are marketing tools that when well used can give a company a competitive advantage over its competitors.
This is true especially in a situation when the clients derive optimal satisfaction and value for money. Conclusively, websites are necessary in online trade. As a matter of fact, visualization is dependent on internet networking and the ability of the targeted clients to access the same. Reflectively, the success of online trading and marketing depend on the type of business, the nature of products, and model of website in use.
In the contemporary society, it is in order to state that online trade made possible through invention of websites is the only future way of doing sustainable and customer friendly business. Thus, it is important for small, medium, and large business to embrace technology in order to remain competitive in the hostile global business environment. Every aspect of life is actively influenced by the revolutionary technological orientation and customers would gladly go for convenient purchasing tools.
Works Cited
Chaffey, Dave. Business Information Management. Alabama: Cangage Learning. 2009. Print.
Samii, Massood. International business and information technology: interaction and transformation in the global economy. California: Routledge, 2004. Print.
Swart, J. & Kinnie, N. “Sharing knowledge in knowledge intensive firms”, Human Resource Management Journal 13.2 (2003): 60-75. Print.
Wang, Weijun. Integration and innovation orient to e-society. New York: Springer, 2007. Print.