According to US News and World Reports, online sales grew 21 percent to $175 billion in 2007, and the U.S. Department of Commerce projects e-commerce retail sales in the United States will reach $184.4 billion in 2008 and $212.6 billion in 2009. These statistics don't tell the whole story, either, there are many benefits of an effective web site simply in terms of promotion of your business. GROW Nebraska wants to be instrumental in helping you tap into this market through a constructive critique of your Web site with our fourth Web Site Critique. Jury sessions, such as this, are one of GROW Nebraska's most valuable services.

The goal of the Web Site Critique is to provide you with valuable feedback regarding your web site. An effective web site will increase sales of your product(s), as well as promote your business. The jury panel will consist of several Web industry experts who have backgrounds in e-business strategy, graphic design, and usability testing. They will rate and comment on your Web site in five areas: audience/purpose, graphics, navigation, content, and functionality. The evaluations will be conducted in the jurors' own professional environments, so they may freely share their feelings and opinions. The honest comments from our jurors will add to your business's bottom line and help you increase your annual income.

Rosemary Thomas of Rosemary's Porcelain Art had this to say about the 2007 critique: "I was very impressed with the critique. I can see that (the jurors) spent a lot of time in viewing the web site and noticing very closely what needs to be changed to attract more people to the site and to encourage them to purchase product."

This is the fourth Web site critique offered by GROW Nebraska. Cost for members to participate is $25.00 and the price for non-members is $150.00, which includes membership in GROW Nebraska for the rest of 2008. The deadline to submit the application is July 25, 2008, and feedback will be received by August 22.

Other benefits to members of GROW Nebraska™ include Internet representation on GROW Nebraska’s™ web site, access to exclusive retail opportunities at locations like State Fair General Store, Holiday Stores, and the GROW Nebraska™ Store at the Hilltop Mall in Kearney, NE, free publicity/news release service, reduced rate cooperative advertising, and reduced registration rates to entrepreneurial workshops.