The inception of the internet revolutionized how small businesses could reach their clientele. It made it easier for local businesses to get in front of the bigger corporations with minimal costs compared to ordinary methods of advertising.

Between 2006-2007, classified ads in newspapers dropped between 14 percent and 20 percent.  While traffic to online classified websites increased from 37 million users to 46 million unique users (according to market research firm ComScore). That’s an increased traffic of 23 percent.

Here are a few reasons  why a local business would benefit from establishing an online presence:

-Customers get to check out your products or services themselves and answer their own questions on your website. (You get people in your shop that have a serious intention of purchasing)
-A website is an affordable means of portraying your companies credibility where bigger corporations would usually have the upper hand. (Gives the impression your company is doing well)
-It’s cost effective compared to any paper advertisement such as YellowPages, local classifieds, bench ads etc. (A one-time cost, not including Search Engine Optimization)
-You get honest, unbiased, customer feedback from a simple review form on your page.
-With the constantly growing technology that is adapting internet into everyday life, it’s becoming a necessity to get online or be left behind.
-A quick and effective way of informing the newest promotions available. Ending the promotion is just as easy.
-With social networking, you get to build personal relationships with customers online. This is a chance for smaller businesses to get ahead, customers appreciate a company that is involved within the local community.

So with a simple web design, the right marketing approach, together with SEO (Search Engine Optimization), it’s easy to see why many businesses are establishing an online presence.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/30/AR2007083002046.html?hpid=sec-tech