Although anyone anywhere on the planet with a computer and internet connection can visit this website (excluding those living under religious or military regimes), my target audience is limited to the region of Montreal. Of course, it doesn't mean that I won't accept work from people living in places far removed from Montreal, but for the most part, I recognize that the majority of my customers are and will come from the Montreal area.

The human connection

The fact is, people want to do business locally when they can. People in Montreal could search out a web designer in Aukland, New Zealand, but the vast majority won't. Cost aside, they want a geographical, cultural connection. They want to know they can meet the designer, one-to-one, and see what he looks like. They want a personal, human connection.

Of course the internet does not promote close, human interaction. Sitting in front of one's computer is perhaps not the most human way to interact with other people. Like anything, the internet has its pluses and minuses. In my case, I'll try to keep it as human as possible by:

• meeting customers when geographically possible
• interacting with customers regularly
• usually answering the phone during business hours
• hiring and engaging with other web professionals in the region.