Bill Gates (founder of Microsoft) once said that there would soon be two types of businesses, those online and those out of business.
Those words still ring true today and many small businesses are missing a huge boat by not getting online.
A good portion of small businesses have been around for a while, long before banner ads and even email became so wildly popular. These owners built their business from the ground-up, working hard and long to develop their products and services. These owners see great value in hard work, and for that they should be applauded.
As technology increases, hard work changes forms. Today, every business, from a babysitter to a widget manufacturer should have a Website. An estimated 60% of homes in the United State now have broadband and nearly 90% have at least one computer. These numbers cannot be ignored by business owners and marketing managers. People are flocking to the Internet to find phone numbers, local merchants and new friends.
No longer can businesses dismiss the Internet as a fad. The amount of online U.S. sales totaled $165.4 billion in 2010, up 14.8% from $144.1 billion 2009, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. [www.internetretailer.com]
Even if a business has no physical merchandise to sell, there are still plenty of reasons to have their information online. Contact numbers, addresses and maps can save receptionists time on the phone. Forms that need to be submitted can be printed and filled out before clients, customers and patients come in. Newsletters can help promote any business and upcoming special offers.
Websites can be very cost-effective to build. For just a small investment you could be online in a matter of days.
In today’s competitive, 24/seven, on-demand world… no person responsible for marketing, sales, communication or fund raising should be afraid of the Internet.
If you are no longer afraid, contact me for a free quote:
Ted Dixon :: 845-853-8051 :: ted@ted360.com