What follows is my advice to them. It provides a global communication tool. A web presence offers 24 hour availability to anyone from individuals to small companies up to the largest multinational Plc's - affordable, accessible, it offers a level playing field, never available before. The possibilities appear limitless. Provides a link to customers that is always available, as a source of information and a contact point, and it allows for instant updated information at very low cost.
Email provides a cheap fast method of sending information around the world.
The Net is not controlled by anyone, this may be both a good and a bad thing, but it is the ultimate democratic tool allowing almost total free speech. It is a great research tool but you need to sift the wheat from the chaff. There is no quality control however. It can be a great time waster. In the not too distant future, if not already, it will be as nonsensical for a company not to have a web presence of some description, as for it not to be connected to the telephone system.