3) Less is More: Online Marketing Lowers Costs and Creates Ongoing Business
The Internet has already changed the buying habits of millions of people. Most experts feel that we are only seeing the merest hint of the coming tidal wave. Over the next 10-20 years, it is expected to become a tsunami. If you're not prepared to ride it, you'll be drowned in it or washed away. It's as simple as that.
This rising tide of online buying has profound implications for even the local marketplace, because more and more people are using the Internet to find what they want to buy locally. The good news at this juncture is that it's relatively easy to be "the big fish in the small pond" that is your local marketplace. But it won't be that way forever - or even much longer.
Beyond this, it's possible to leverage this local search and local shopping in ways that no other media can. With the right planning and pieces in place, it's possible to turn everything you do online into regular repeat business, ongoing sales and a long and mutually beneficial relationship with your local market that would otherwise not likely occur.
Google and comScore did a study recently in which they found that online sales accounted for only 16% of business during the year - at first. However, that initial transaction lead to further business amounting to another 21% of total revenue. By the end of the year, 63% of all sales activity ultimately occurred due to the one original transaction. Now that's effective marketing, the likes of which only the Internet can provide. And it's over twice the revenue one might have otherwise.
Now you see what a strong online presence can do for you - and what you will miss if you don't have one!
4) More is More: More Searches = More Profits For You - If You're Ready!
Recent studies have shown that the rate at which people are searching for products and services online is growing at an annualized rate of approximately 20%. It's not hard to understand why. After all, using the computer (or even one's mobile device) is far easier than other methods, and far faster.
But what most small businesspeople don't fully realize is that these searches are not just for national brands and big names. Increasingly, people are turning to Google and other search engines to find the things they want to buy from their local marketplace.
A comStore study recently reported that US e-commerce spending reached over $240 billion dollars in 2008. Much of this was spent in the local marketplace, with a search that originated online. This was a 7% increase in web-based shopping over the year before, and most experts believe this kind of growth will continue for the foreseeable future.
You, as a small business person, have an unparalleled opportunity right now to position your business in front of these consumers at the exact moment they're looking to buy. But of course, this is only true if you're properly positioned. It won't happen by accident.
More searches equals more purchases. More purchases equals more money in your pocket, obtained even more cheaply than ever before!
Now is the time to set aside everything else you're doing and think long and hard about what the Internet can and will do for you. Not only will you be recession proofing your business, you'll be laying the groundwork for a bright and prosperous future, regardless of the vagaries of the local, national and global economies.
NOTE: You can get a FREE REPORT on How to Recession Proof Your Business Using the Internet by visiting my business site, Small Business Internet Marketing Consulting Services.
Go on, tell me whatcha think, Hoss!