Many people see the world wide web as a virtual shopping mall. Some see it as a giant community where people can find information and exchange ideas. Others view the world wide web as a medium for entertainment.

The web is all these things and more.

I firmly believe that everybody should have a web site. From the largest corporation to the most obscure hobbyist, there's room on the web for everybody.

At its very simplest a web site can be a way of announcing "Here I am" with an accompanying telephone number or email address to promote further interaction.

For small business and services, the world wide web offers an incredibly cost effective means of advertising. Compared to print, radio and television advertisements, a web site offers more information together with more possibilities for customer feedback.

The world wide web removes many of the traditional constraints involved in running a business. Customers no longer have to make a trip to the store to find out what's in stock. Shops, bars, restaurants, cinemas and theatres can entice people to visit with a well designed web site.

More and more businesses are realizing the importance of a strong web presence. If your business isn't on the web, then it's going to lose out to the online competition.

• What makes a web site work?
• Why are there so many bad web sites?