Having your own Web page is one of the best ways to advertise your business, especially if you're looking to attract tourist dollars or even local interest (Bangkokians are fond of making the "Utopia/Dreaded Ned/Pink Ink Web Site Run" once in awhile just to see what's going on!).

One local Web site service provider, khsnet, says "khsnet offers a complete service (including home page or web site design and creation, site hosting, domain registration, on-going management and site promotion) - anything a venue owner needs to establish a web presence for his venue. And all at very reasonable prices."

Pricing?

"Starting prices for a simple home page are just Bht 1,500 to set up and Bht 500 per month, or a 5 page site starting from just Bht 3,000 to set up and Bht 1,000 per month. These do not include domain registration, etc, full price list available for all options for those interested. Quotes available on request, contact me on the web at http://www.khsnet.com or by email at info@khsnet.com or by fax at (02) 237-4666 or by snail mail at GPO BOX 1608 Bangkok 10501"

When we asked how gay venues would benefit from having a web site, he said, "More and more people are using the Internet and the World Wide Web as their main source for information. Venue owners need to get their venue on the Web so that it can be found easily by people who are planning a visit to Thailand and are searching for information. Venues that are on the web now have an enormous visibility advantage and this translates into more people that have you on the top of their list of places to go to when they are here - because they know what your venue is like, rather than just a name from a listing! it is also a "virtuous circle" - the more venues that are online, the more surfers will find them and tell their friends and more people will be surfing! Internet usage is growing hugely internationally, and is certainly growing here in Thailand."

How effective is having a web site as compared to regular advertising?

"In some ways a web site can be like a full page (or a 5 page) ad - you can say a lot more than you can in a small ad, not just a name and a logo, but pictures, lots of information, really create an impression in the visitor's mind and get his/her interest, which is great for you and for your visitor. you can also do other fun, interactive things as well which you just can't do with normal advertising!"

He adds, "A web site combined with online advertising on sites such as dreaded ned's is very synergistic - the ad attracts attention, builds awareness, then the visitor gets to the web site and learns a lot more about you and can be really attracted to your venue - it increases the impact of your advertising, even ads in regular magazines etc can include your web site address!"

Many of the Kingdom's major venues (and not-so-major) have web sites, and can all attest to the advantages of increased customer awareness and attention.

One of the key points to maintaining a web site is not simply posting information about your company, but giving your Web visitors reasons to come back to your site. This has been accomplished -- with great success -- at sites like Utopia, where the content is updated regularly, and the Personal Ads section draws enormous interest. Visitors get in the habit of coming back every now and again to see what's new.