There are a dozens of good reasons to start a website.  You've probably thought of some of the typical reasons: establishing your brand, always open for business, gain credibility, improved communication, automated customer service, etc.  These are all good reasons but there are other important reasons which don't get enough pub.  Here are 5 smarter reasons to start a website.

5) It Doesn't Cost As Much As You Think

A typical website needs two things: hosting (space on a server where your site will live) and a domain name (the site's address).   You can get both of these for less than $100 per year.  I've had good experience with FatCow and Yahoo Small Business.  They have tools which make building a website quick and easy.  If you can use Microsoft Word, then you can build a website.  Don't spend a lot of money on a fancy-pants designer at first.  Use other free tools like Google Analytics and Google Webmaster Tools.  Get a Google Adwords coupon code and drive some traffic to your site.

4) Showcase Your Work

I love the part in Office Space where Bob Slydell asks Tom Smykowski, "What would you say ya do here?" and Tom goes off about how he takes the specs from the customers to the engineers and has people skills.  Old Smykowski's problem is that no one knows what he does and therefore no one values his work.  Don't let this happen to you!  You do good work so you should show it off.  Prospects want to see that you have a track record of success.

This tip applies to you all working the 9-5 as well.  Start a blog or a forum and engage people within the company.   Openly discuss your challenges and ideas.  It may take a little effort but soon your boss will be asking everyone to participate and you can take credit for the whole thing :)  Don't violate any company/confidentiality policies though.

3) Be Contact Friendly

Ok, this one is kind of obvious but it still surprises me how many businesses don't have a website.  A business not having a website is like a person not having a cell phone.  Don't be that guy!

2) Content is King

Whether you own a trendy salon downtown or you write tax software in your spare time, the key to gaining clients is to extend your sphere of influence.  You have to participate in your community and the most effective way to do that is to write interesting, relative content.  Start a blog, forum, or wiki.  If what you have to say is valuable/engaging/entertaining, the audience will come and you'll become an expert in their minds.

1) Test Out an Idea Quickly

Ever have a bolt of genius hit in the shower in the morning?  Many people have good ideas but either 1) never follow up on them, or 2) spend a bunch of time/money on the idea without any certainty it will be successful.  A better alternative is to set up a quick website and see what kind of interest you generate.  Are people willing to leave their email address in exchange for more information?  If not, that may be a sign that your idea isn't as brilliant as you thought.  On the other hand, if you get a ton of hits and good feedback; then you can confidently invest further resources.  Don't worry about making the site perfect, just get it in front of some eyeballs and measure the interest.