There are many reasons for developing and maintaining your own website. You may want to get noticed by a lot of people or sell a lot of product, or you may just want a place to present yourself in a more detailed or graphic way to those you already know.

A website is a place that draws attention. Search engines actively seek your information to match online viewers looking for what you’re offering to your site. You’ll want to let your community know about your website too. Your website address should be on every piece of marketing material you use.

Once viewers come to your site, you’ll want to hold them there. Valuable content is key. Attractive images and intuitive navigation are critical.

And, then there’s your call to action. Would you like to collect viewers’ email addresses so you can stay in touch? Would you like to gift viewers something that leads to a purchase later? Would you like them to buy your product? Would you like them to sign up for your event or arrange to receive your service? Would you like them to donate to your cause or sign up to volunteer with your organization? Would you like them to book you as a speaker? Would you like them to read your material and be enlightened or entertained? Would you like them to provide feedback about an idea? All of these calls to action are the real reason you may want a website.

The next time you’re online, look for these calls to action on the pages you view. Can you find them? Are they clear? Do they draw you in?

If you don’t have a call to action, a clear purpose for being online, you probably don’t need a website.

On the other hand, your website can be a terrific focus for existing and potential customers and clients. It can represent you and tell your story to hundreds, thousands, even millions of viewers while you’re off doing what you do best. It can even be doing business for you while you’re on the beach.