The Internet
Over the past 15 years the Internet has changed the way that businesses operate, it has allowed people to quickly and easily set-up businesses on-line in a way that was never possible using bricks and mortar. It has enabled businesses to reduce costs, increase their marketing reach, get interactive feedback from customers and much more. There are of course drawbacks to using the Internet that do need to be taken into account. Consider the following;
Web presence - Even if you are only a bricks and mortar business it pays to have a web presence, even if this is a small 2-3 page website showing your business. Always include a way for potential customers to contact you, either by including a telephone number, email address, or contact form.
Marketing - Using the Internet can allow you to potentially advertise to a much larger audience than traditional methods. Services like Google AdWords allow you to advertise your business to your target market and only cost you when your ads are clicked on.
E-Commerce - It’s now widely acceptable to sell goods and services over the Internet, and service like PayPal make it easy to accept payments at a low cost.
Connecting - Using something like Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace or forums, allows you to connect with your market, get feedback, and ask questions, at little or no cost beside your time.
Partnerships - If you sell stationary and the shop next door is a printer and you both have website's it makes sense to create a partnership and advertise on each other website.
Price comparisons - The Internet makes it effortless for consumers to check prices, so keep your prices competitive.
Rating/Reviews/Bad mouthing - The Internet also allows anyone to talk about your business, good and bad. On the whole never take what you read on the Internet to heart. Concentrate on making sure that customers never have a reason to complain.
Security/Fraud/Vandalism/Spam - As in real life these things happen on the Internet, from minor irritations as receiving unwanted spam to major headaches like someone attacking your website.
Without doubt the Internet has changed the way consumers purchase goods and services, and inevitable the number of on-line sales will continue. Ignoring the Internet can be a terrible mistake, so it makes sense to be net savvy.
