Economic downturns make the usual fight for clients even more competitive as the market shrinks.

Businesses must show stability and inspire confidence to help soothe the jitters that every day's news brings.

A website, often the first point of contact or interest, must be of top quality, reflect the nature of the business, be easy to navigate and make people want to find out more.

If a business does not look professional, what message is conveyed about the quality of the business?

While, for a small to medium enterprise, this might seem a costly extra, that cannot be justified given the current climate.

It is, in fact, a critical necessity and money well spent. Businesses must ask themselves what they would think if they visited their own site as a new potential client for the first time.

In Diss, there is another, equally important face-to-face business promotion tool available, thanks to the Diss Business Forum.

Last year's inaugural trade fair, Diss On View, was remarkable for many things, not least of which the amount of business-to-business deal-making that was done.

The number of standholders for a town its size, proved the viability of such an exhibition.

The forum is poised to repeat Diss on View on September 26.

Taking into account suggestions from last year's exhibitors, the one-day event will focus solely on business to business opportunities, at the new venue of Diss Golf Club.

With its excellent facilities for unloading and parking, as well as the proximity to members of the club who are mostly business people themselves and would be sure to have a look.

There will be a bar and dining area available throughout the day, where exhibitors can take clients/visitors away from the main exhibition.

By popular demand, there will be a range of seminars that are geared to give pointers to success in areas of interest.

There are still a few stands left for exhibitors, so let the forum know as soon as possible if you are going to be a hit or you are going to sit back and miss!.

Jenna Cox, managing partner of Articulate HLC, web and graphic design, marketing and PR agency, is a Diss Business Forum member.