Small Business Internet Guide-SBOguide

Dear Small Business Owner: With apologies to William Shakespeare, small business owners of today simply must have an Internet presence. The days of being able to get away without one are over. The simple truth is that today’s customers and clients expect the businesses that they support to be on the Internet. And frankly, any business that doesn’t have an Internet presence may easily be losing business as a result.

Whether you’re a professional marketing your services, a retail operation, a restaurant, a manufacturer, or a home based business, giving your customers the ability to access information regarding your business via the Internet is a must in today’s business environment.

The size of your budget need not hold you back. A small business can maintain a simple one page website for $100 a year or less. This site can list your location, hours of operation, a brief history, the nature of your business, and contact information. This is probably the least expensive form of advertising you will find. The fact that it can be easily updated when information changes and is available to your client base 24 hours a day is an added plus.

As discussed in the article “Your Website is not just a Business Card“, your website can be a valuable addition to your promotion efforts. Think of it as your goodwill ambassador, always on call.

It may surprise you to learn that providing information such as your business location, can even be done for free with Yahoo! and Google maps. If you have a location that customers and clients are invited to, just taking this simple step will enhance your business status and make it easier for customers to find you in the process.

So if knowing how to do this is holding you back, then a return often to SBOguide for articles, tutorials, and inspiration.