Online Business Evaluation Part 1; Markets and Competition

First Webs, Inc.

Rockford; Chicago; the World

Online Business Evaluation (OBE) Part 1. Business Questions

The online business evaluation that follows informs us about your company's markets, your strengths, your competition, how you generate new business today, and your level of interest in Internet online advertising. Processing this form completely greatly assists us in determining web page content that will accurately promote your business in search engines.

For information on the need for this form, see the online business evaluation form explained.

* Indicates Required Field

Your Full Name and Position *
(fullname; position)

Your Company Name *

Your eMail Address *

URL of Your Company if you have URL, i.e. www.xyz.com *

If your business does not have a web site, do you have a domain registered?

* Registered Not Registered

If registered, where is domain parked? Places like GoDaddy, Network Solutions, etc.

What is Your Companies Industry? *

Describe Your Business? *
25 Characters Minimum;
260 Characters Maximum

What is/are your target market(s) If more than 1 target market, list in order of importance. Be concise and direct. A common characteristic or demographic must identify a target market. Do not list more than 3-4 target markets as it will be hard to focus on any market specifically.

	#1 *
	#2
	#3
	#4
	#5

Examples of good target markets are "corporate executives", "teenagers", "baby boomers", "home owners", "IT departments", etc. Examples that are not good target markets are "consumers", "old people", "anyone who needs printing", etc. Narrow those down further!

What are Your Core Competencies, i.e., What do you do best? *

What gives you the "Edge" over your competition? *

Concerning your business operations, what do you believe you are least effective at?

List up to 3 main competitors (either online or offline). Use business names, not web site addresses.

	#1 *
	#2 *
	#3 *

List URLs of up to 3 online competitors (may be same as above if offline competitors are also online).

	#1 *
	#2
	#3

What are your business challenges? Check all that apply to your business.

Industry Trends	Customer Service Headaches
Sales Volume Too Low	Keeping Costs Down
Order Fullfillment Difficult	Keeping Up w Growth
Personnel	Declining Sales
Price Competition	Able to Grow (Get Capital)
Other	Other

From the previous question, or if you have other challenges not listed - prioritize and list your 2 biggest challenges.

What forms of lead generation does your business use now? Check all that apply.

Word-of-Mouth Past Clients	Yellow Pages Book
Business Networking	Newspaper Ads
Radio	My Web Site (Natural Search Listings)
Television Ads	My Web Site (Paid Ads Online)
Magazines	Billboards, Vehicles, Signs
Other	Other

Referring to the previous question, what are 3 most productive means of generating leads today? Do you measure their effectiveness?

#1 *		Yes No
#2 *		Yes No
#3 *		Yes No

Strictly Optional: How much do you spend per month total on all lead generating activities?

Do Not Disclose
Less than $100/month	$2500 and $5000
Around $500/month	More than $5000
Around $1000/month	More than $10,000
$1000 and $2500	About this much/month $

My customer base is located where geographically?

Select Only 1 Choice in Options

No Limitations Geographically

If Your "Home" is (other than shown), then please list:

City

St.

Mostly National (USA)

Mostly Regional

Mostly Local w a little National and Regional

Local plus as far as Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago. (Area 75 Mile Radius)

Mostly Local Rockford MSA, an occasional Chicago Sale (Area 30 Mile Radius)

Local 75 miles (1 hour from Home) in any Direction

If Regional, tell us your region:

Describe the Products or Services your business will be selling online. If not selling, say "Not Selling Online".

If Yes, About Many SKU's?
Strictly Optional If Yes, Guesstimated Annual Sales

What words will prospects & customers use to find your products, services, or web site? (These are the words that customers would type into Google, Yahoo, MSN)

Consider having 2-3 phrases for each of your target markets.

Target Market#1 *
Target Market#1 *
Target Market#1 *
Target Market#2
Target Market#2
Target Market#2
Target Market#3
Target Market#3
Target Market#3

If selling online, or generating traffic to your storefront from the Internet, which best describes your situation at right.

#1	I plan to build traffic and sales gradually over 12-18 months
#2	I need to have appreciable traffic in 6-8 months
#3	I need to have appreciable traffic in 90 days or so
#4	I need immediate traffic (2-3 weeks) and immediate sales
#5	I want an all-out effort both short term (2-3 weeks) and long term (12 months)

At right, select the option that best describes your current belief that the Internet will help your business's profitability? *

1-3	I'm very skeptical
4-6	I think it will help a lot over time
7-10	It's the best way for me and I MUST move quickly

Are you familiar with Pay-Per-Click (PPC)? Have you used PPC?

Yes Not Familiar	If Yes, Have You Used PPC? Yes No
Which PPC Campaign Used? Google Yahoo Ask IYP

Please tell us about your business's branding efforts. *

Well Branded Somewhat Branded No Branding

7431 East State Street, #236

Rockford, IL 61108

815.332.8062

vwwanner@nilsem.com

First Webs Resource Site

First Webs NI Portal