Brochure Websites:

A Brochure Website earns it's name because it's purpose is purely to provide information. There is no e-Commerce or online shopping taking place. It represents the step in the buying process that consumers need as they are deciding with whom they prefer to do business.
For more on Brochure websites click here.

Selling Items Online:

Not all e-Commerce sites sell multiple items from a product list. It's simple to have just a few things that can be purchased online without a need for shopping cart software. Examples are event registration, membership and subscription forms. You collect the information, the fee and add the new registrant to your database all at once. You don't even need a 'fulltime' merchant account due to new options for "buy-me" buttons and virtual terminal connections. They are secure, don't require a lot of set-up, and can be quickly bringing in website revenue.
For more on e-Commerce sites click here.

Online Forms:

Websites use online forms to gather visitor info and build a customer database. Provide a reason for a visitors to submit a form, such as a request for information, addition to a directory, comment on your service, etc. They won't be shy about submitting your form. The database you build becomes an audience for 'blast' email notices and newsletters. Forms are also being widely used to enable online registrations, subscriptions and applications.
For more about online registration forms click here.

Databases and Blast Emails:

A current customer database that you have gathered either through online form responses or collected during business transactions is a valuable asset. The database can be used for sending blast emails announcing special sales, updates on product lines and company news. Once set up, the blast emails themselves are easy to manage in-house. Web Host services often include a list manager and email capability to a moderately sized list. For larger campaigns, third party companies offer blast services for very reasonable pricing.

Forums:

A Forum or Bulletin/Message Board provides a "chat" area where site visitors can exchange information via posts that are similar to emails. Forums create an easy "question/answer" venue for potential and existing customers and can be very effective in building visitor count. The software for a simple forum is included free with many web host services. More robust forums are easily available for integrating into your site. Many people depend on forums for current information on topics of common interest and as a way to share resources and ideas. It's like building an online community that meets at your website!

Blogs:

A blog is different that a Forum or Bulletin/Message Board. The term comes from "Weblog" and refers to an online 'log' of events and ideas. Think of it as a diary. Although many people use blogs in a personal application, blogs have become a great way to add fresh content to websites, which Search Engines love! If you choose content that is relevant to your business and include links back to pages on your website, a blog can have great potential for increasing site stats. A blog will offer an additional reason for visitors to frequent your site. Because blogs are user-maintained, you can add your own content or assign it to a staff member. The software is free. Once you have the blog configured into your website, all it costs is a little time.

Calendars:

An ongoing calendar of events is another way to increase website participation. Third party scripts available are user friendly and can be managed and updated by your own admin staff. A successful calendar will have a wide selection of events related to your business - both your events and those sponsered by related businesses or organizations. You can also opt for an in-house calendar that requires user/password entry for posting internal staff schedules and deadlines.

Scripts:

There are all kinds of scripts available online to add functionality to your website. Custom scripting can be expensive and is often unnecessary. For an example: Use a countdown script to highlight an upcoming event or expiration date. There is practically no limit to what is now available to make your site more interactive.