When it comes to Online businesses VS. Local businesses I think there is a controversial boom.The older generation believes in what they have known their whole life. And the same goes for the younger generation. The Internet did not really “become a part of life until the mid 90’s. In 1994 large chains such as Pizza Hut, Banks, Magazine companies, Flower companies began using the internet to make extra sales. The older generation would utilize marketing products, which is an effective marketing strategy.
Since then, ecommerce companies, and social networking groups have made a huge impact on the “online realm”. Websites such as Myspace, Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter have drawn the younger generation to the internet. Once some of these younger entrepreneurs discovered the amount of potential the internet has to offer things have exploded.
Researchers claim: Today the estimated number of people using the Internet is: 1,733,993,741 people that use the internet. And the numbers are growing at a fierce rate. They say 1/3 of all adults use the internet.
Numbers mean a lot in business and marketing. New York City is the largest city in the world. With a population of about 8.5 Million and a 10% population change every 10 years. The internet grows at a rate of over 300% per year.
Yet many entrepreneurs still choose not to use the internet for their business. I think the largest percent choose this simply due to the fact that they are not “internet savy”. When someone has grown up not knowing the true power of the internet they stick to their ways of not using the internet. The human race are creatures of habit, When we get familiar with a certain way we don’t like changing our routines.
Now enough with the statistics and psychological aspects of this topic. Lets think basic….Start-up costs…simple enough?
- Setting up a business locally your looking at: start-up costs, stocking costs, licenses, wages, and I’m sure you can think of 100 other things…
+ Here is what you need to get your business Online: A domain name ($10/yr), Template (if you don’t know how to code your own website) $100 (at the most), Hosting ($5-$10/month), And if you are selling product you obviously need stock to produce that product.
And besides commitment and dedication, that’s all you need.
See this is were many people argue, they think that setting up your business online will not attract enough customers to cover the costs and make a profit. And they are 100% correct. You are not going to just set up a website, post some pictures and text up and get viewers that are interested in your product or service(s). It’s a business! Just like a local business you have to advertise! Another word for “advertise” on the internet is “SEO”. If you don’t know anything about advertising online, use Google.com like everyone else does. Read about Search Engine Optimization, links, advertising, advertising campaigns. Research!
Start out small and as you go you will learn about marketing your website and how to attract more visitors in your target market.
I’m not going all into detail here. Just giving a simple summary about the “online business world”. You don’t have to base your entire business online. Why not take your local business and put it online as well???
Mark my word: You put in time, effort, dedication, and research, you will eventually find yourself much happier then before you began your “online adventures”.