How Small Businesses Can Be Successful On the Web : Brain Share

This ?post comes from guest author, Megan Totka,?the Chief Editor for?ChamberofCommerce.com.

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While browsing Mashable recently, I came across a great infographic created by?ReachLocal?(see below) that talked about successful marketing strategies for small businesses. The graphic was created with Small Business Saturday in mind. Small Business Saturday is another shopping ?holiday? that was established in 2010. We all know that it is tough for small businesses to compete with larger retailers, especially during the holiday season. Small Business Saturday encourages consumers to shop at small and/or local businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

However, information about Small Business Saturday is not the only take away lesson from this infographic. The graphic shows that many types of internet marketing can be influential to consumers as it breaks down how most people spend their time online. The number one thing that people do with their online time is to browse social networks, which I?m sure doesn?t really come as a surprise to anyone. Because of that, of course, social media has become a huge marketing force.

I was surprised to see that it also shows that people spend as much as 20% of their time on the Internet reading content. Many experts would have us believe that written content is on its way out. This infographic, however, shows that people still spend plenty of time reading online. ?I (and apparently many others) really prefer to actually read content. The information presented here indicates that a move away from written content may not be the best plan.

The most pertinent information in this article, however, relates to small businesses and their online presence. According to this infographic, 63% of small businesses do not have a website. This is quite the astonishing figure, considering how much commerce and research regarding commerce is conducted online. It is suggested in the graphic that 85% of consumers search online for local businesses.

To be successful as a small business, it?s so important to have a great web presence. This can be accomplished easily, especially if you have the extra cash to hire someone to take care of your website design.? I think most people would assume that it is a no-brainer that small businesses would maintain a website and several social media pages. Unfortunately, this isn?t the case. Small business owners should be diligent in not only creating but also maintaining and updating a website as well as social media pages. If consumers are searching for a small business on the web, it?s imperative that they be able to find something. The infographic also shows that as many as 25% of small businesses are unable to be found online.

If you are a small business owner, it?s a great idea to be continuously browsing the web for new ways to present online content and marketing strategies. An infographic is a great way to enhance your small business website.? While as a business owner it may be tough to find the time to worry enough about your online presence, at this point in time, it is a make it or break it necessity. I?d even venture to say that small businesses without a great web presence are in greater danger of failure.

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Category: Infographics, Small Business, Social Media, Website Tips

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