Well since I'm likely the most recent launch I'll give you my view.
Brad said "In the elusive and under-researched field of marketing, the chief and most convincing reason to promote is because other competitors are already doing it and you might suffer by not."
While I agree with Brad, I think there is far more value.
It is the easiest place to direct clients, potential clients, and others interested to what you are doing. It theoretically should be crammed full of information and photos. Green's committee's have the opportunities to access for information to share with other members.
It is also a helpful place for the media to access if they need certain information (assuming its on the site).
Yannick said, "I would certainly back Brad's post. Most hits on our website probably comes from ourselves and our own competitors....
I assumed that the usefulness in attracting clients was nill, I certainly built mine to assemble information, not to market. Well, I can already say I was wrong with this assumption. I don't think this is a reliable way to get a client, but just tweaking somebody's interest can lead to an interesting phone call.
Jeff said, "I do have more and more clients with the computer capabilities to simply download what were formerly brochure items. Its also a handy place to put news releases and other publicity, which we formerly sent out as copies in the brochure packet. If I were a new firm, like Ian Andrews, rather than spend boatloads on a professional brochure, I think I would spend it all on a web site.
I'm doing what you suggested.
Computers are part of life for any person who can afford one. Thinking anything different simply shows your age. I know of no one that I deal with who does not have a computer and an email address.
I'm web based for all my information, because I'm operating on a shoestring budget. I built and posted my own site because I have no choice. I think the bulk printed brochure is the dinosaur, I publish what I need, one at a time. The other issue is how out of date everything a designer does six months out.
I thought I should have a web site, not because everyone else has one, but because it is another technological tool to get information out.