Is a micro-site good for business?

The Instant Website Service recommends domain names and, once the name is chosen, build a quick one page site in a single click. MerchantCircle pulls in the information from the original MerchantCircle listing of the business. Business can choose from the suggested domains or create a domain name of their own; MerchantCircle provides the templates. Domains are .com or .net extensions.

This is too boring to really appeal to a consumer? Not necessarily. Think about this: only about 40% of US businesses are online. That means a lot of local businesses are missing out on local consumers. Why not think of these one-page sites as branded micro-sites? Since the social web become prevalent, many reports have shown that branded micro-sites within a social space can be very effective. On the web, these sites can be just as effective.

Also, since the information provided on the site is given by the merchant in the original listing, it can be changed in the blink of an eye. Do you have a new product coming out? Do you need to promote a new service? Simply add that product or service to your listing and voila! An updated area on the micro-site which can draw in consumers.

Of course, these sites won't have the wealth of content of a full-fledged website but for first time website builders, it is a step in the right direction.

Tags: domain names, MerchantCircle, online presence