Angela Wilson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 29/02) - There are definitely benefits to having a Web site in this day and age, say businesses in Yellowknife.

"The Web site has had a real positive effect on our business," says Kingland Ford's general sales manager Dan Maisonneuve. "I wouldn't necessarily say it's increased the volume of our business. That's a hard thing to gauge, but it has helped out customers, particularly our out-of-town customers."

Years ago, the dealership would take Polaroids of their vehicles and send them to various communities to view. Now, with the help of the Web site, this is no longer necessary. Kingland Ford's Web site (www.kinglandford.com) has a wide range of photographs of vehicles -- both new and used -- for customers to view. The site is frequently updated as new vehicle models come out.

"It helps (the customers) with their shopping process," says Maisonneuve. "When they start shopping for a vehicle, they'll look to the big manufacturers. They can locate Kingland Ford from the Ford Web site and then go to our site and look at it. We've done some deals online that were completely done online basically."

Maisonneuve estimates the Web site helps bring in between 25 and 50 out-of-town sales per year. But not everyone who browses their Web site looking for vehicles is from out of town, he says.

"A lot of inquiries come right from Yellowknife, even though we're right in Yellowknife. (The Web site) helps with the beginning of the shopping process."

Having a Web site was "the next logical step in serving the customer," says Maisonneuve.

"We realize the North is very computer literate," he says. "We wanted to keep up with the technology."

Dan O'Neil, owner-manager of Sundance Health, agrees.

"In the North, 10 to 20 per cent of our business is mail order," he says. "A lot of folks have computers. Some will order online. Some are a little anxious about ordering online. They'll call me up on another phone at the store and they'll say, 'I want that product.' "

The Web site (www.sundancehealth.com) isn't just about garnering business.

"I take a lot of time providing education to folks on health," he says. "I use the website as an information resource as well. Customers like it. I've got pictures on my site. I've got a segment where people can write in with their weight concerns. It's a good information source for folks out there."

The Sundance Health site has been up for a year and a half, but it's recently been revamped, says O'Neil.

"I wanted to make it a little more comprehensive," he says. "It's more than just a catalogue. I walk people through three very comprehensive ways they can lose weight."

The Web site is secure and encrypted, says O'Neil, which means people can order the products advertised without worrying their credit card information will be discovered by a third party. But Northerners aren't the only ones ordering from the Sundance Health Web site.

"We've sold products around the world, as far away as Japan, some to Indonesia, lots of product to the states. We just filled one last week from Florida. Americans like ordering in Canada because of the low rate of the dollar."