Over the past decade, the Internet has changed the way people live all around the world.
It has become a primary source for research, information/news gathering, communication and income.
The role the internet has come to play in our lives was not envisioned by many 10 years ago and the evolution of that role over the next decade is unpredictable and limited only by our imaginations.
In light of those facts, it is hard to fathom why so many small businesses owners are still so resistant to this phenomenon and the benefits they can reap from it.
As the role of the internet continues to progress over time, one can only wonder what will come of those enterprises that continue to ignore and resist it.
Certainly, there is room for and will presumably continue to be room for brick & mortar businesses as the global economic landscape evolves (or devolves as it does at the moment).
There are many business owners that have been successful for years and may not see a need for the internet.
They may see it as a nuisance or a hindrance or maybe they're just tech-a-phobic (yes, I made that word up).
Whatever the justification, they are doing themselves a disservice.
Any small business can find a way to benefit from the internet.
The options for a web presence are widespread and not at all confining.
If the construction and maintenance of a website is too much to handle, a company could distribute a weekly/monthly newsletter, develop a blog that's updated regularly, or establish a presence on YouTube, Facebook, twitter or MySpace.
At the very least, each and every business should make sure they are listed in online directories.
There has to be recognition that a huge swath of the public uses the internet as a primary source of accessing information and they are writing off this entire subset if they ignore the World Wide Web.
That said, the construction and maintenance of a website is not too much to handle in most cases.
There are numerous resources online that allow for very cost effective website development.
In many cases, the presence of the site would not require much time or money as it would serve as a low-maintenance complement to the firm's primary activities.
There are many effective sites that are updated only on an occasional basis.
Their internet presence increases awareness of their existence and for many small businesses that is sufficient.
Business owners have an obligation to themselves and the interests of their stakeholders to utilize the internet to their benefit.
It can be done for minimal costs and could reap enormous benefits.
Those that choose to ignore the growing trend of internet utilization do so at their own peril.
Competition will pass them by and render them obsolete.
It has become a primary source for research, information/news gathering, communication and income.
The role the internet has come to play in our lives was not envisioned by many 10 years ago and the evolution of that role over the next decade is unpredictable and limited only by our imaginations.
In light of those facts, it is hard to fathom why so many small businesses owners are still so resistant to this phenomenon and the benefits they can reap from it.
As the role of the internet continues to progress over time, one can only wonder what will come of those enterprises that continue to ignore and resist it.
Certainly, there is room for and will presumably continue to be room for brick & mortar businesses as the global economic landscape evolves (or devolves as it does at the moment).
There are many business owners that have been successful for years and may not see a need for the internet.
They may see it as a nuisance or a hindrance or maybe they're just tech-a-phobic (yes, I made that word up).
Whatever the justification, they are doing themselves a disservice.
Any small business can find a way to benefit from the internet.
The options for a web presence are widespread and not at all confining.
If the construction and maintenance of a website is too much to handle, a company could distribute a weekly/monthly newsletter, develop a blog that's updated regularly, or establish a presence on YouTube, Facebook, twitter or MySpace.
At the very least, each and every business should make sure they are listed in online directories.
There has to be recognition that a huge swath of the public uses the internet as a primary source of accessing information and they are writing off this entire subset if they ignore the World Wide Web.
That said, the construction and maintenance of a website is not too much to handle in most cases.
There are numerous resources online that allow for very cost effective website development.
In many cases, the presence of the site would not require much time or money as it would serve as a low-maintenance complement to the firm's primary activities.
There are many effective sites that are updated only on an occasional basis.
Their internet presence increases awareness of their existence and for many small businesses that is sufficient.
Business owners have an obligation to themselves and the interests of their stakeholders to utilize the internet to their benefit.
It can be done for minimal costs and could reap enormous benefits.
Those that choose to ignore the growing trend of internet utilization do so at their own peril.
Competition will pass them by and render them obsolete.