It's official: the internet has changed the way we all live, communicate, shop, travel, manage our finances, and manage our business. Yet, there are still a myriad of business owners out there that haven't made the leap to the virtual world. Maybe it's because they think it's too expensive to have a web presence. That attitude today can kill a business faster than an IRS audit. According to a recent study, nearly half of the approximately 25 million small businesses in the U.S. don't have a Web site. Is your business one of them?

If you don't have a Web site for your small business:

• Most of your competitors will have a huge advantage over you
• You're missing the chance to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Your marketing is limited to your local area, city, etc.

Here are 10 good reasons why every small business should have a Web site.

Establish Credibility
A Web site establishes you as a professional in your field and helps people to feel more comfortable doing business with you. When searching for a service provider, users are much more likely to purchase goods or services from a business that has an online presence.

Provide In-depth Information
Adding specialized content such as testimonials, tips and your own expertise builds your presence. Providing local information ties you to the community at large. This gives you a space to convey a specific message to your audience and track the way they respond using comprehensive, web tools.

Make Shopping Easy
There's a distinction between e-commerce and shopping. Even if you're not an e-commerce site, you need to accept credit cards. Determine whether you're selling online or offline. Then either set your site up for e-commerce or get an 800 number and use the site to lead people to call. If you're selling through your storefront, provide information [directions, a mapping tool] on your site to help get customers in your store.

Enhance Customer Relations
Know your customer, and build your site around them. The web allows you to customize your website's appearance and functionality and gear the tone and imagery to support your message. The web tools I mentioned above will allow you to determine what works and what doesn't; ultimately, it's your customers that decide your success, so make it easy for them to find you.

Increase Customer Spending
What you sell in a physical store is limited by the amount of inventory you can store. What you sell online is unlimited. Your brick and mortar store can only take payments when the doors are open. The web is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Expand Nationally or Worldwide
A storefront business without a Web site limits its customer base to the local area. With a Web site, anyone can find you, and you can expand your business reach across the country or across the world.

Gather Customer Data
Collecting information on your customers' tastes and interests is tough to do without a Web site. Analytics software lets you see who's been to your site, what they looked at and where they came from. This kind of in-depth data and feedback can help you make your business better.

Stand Out from the Competition
A Web site can help you differentiate yourself from your competitors. Your marketing campaign can be honed to express exactly what you want your visitors to see.  A beautiful, functional, dynamic website can help you stand out from the crowd.

Brand Extension
Once you've established brand identity, a Web site can also help you extend that brand into other areas. Having an online presence lets you do this in ways you can't with one storefront.

Drive Traffic to an Offline Location
Finally, a Web site can drive customers to your real-world location. This is critical for business people such as chiropractors, plumbers and real estate agents. An online presences grows your offline business.