Many of these businesses may tick along quite nicely and therefore there is never a need to think about any marketing initiatives. However, the internet is not all about marketing. It is a common misconception from many business owners that one would only need to have a website in order to sell products or services, and that if the products and services weren’t the sort that you would buy online, then why bother having the website? Well, the most useful thing about the internet is its ability to provide information. Many people do not want to look at a company’s website to buy from them then and there, nor do they particularly care whether the website is cutting-edge or as sophisticated as many that they’ll be used to. But what they want is information which is going to help them. This information could even be as simple as opening times. If someone can get find a web page displaying key information like a phone number, opening times, and ideally, some information about what the shop/company provides/sells, it then enables them to make an informed decision as to whether they want to visit that shop or business, and indeed what time they want to visit in order to ensure that they don’t waste any of their own time. Time is precious and is worth a lot to people.

The most fascinating thing is that a lot of these shops and businesses do actually have a very small online presence, but it’s entirely unintentional. There a various different websites which offer directories and lists of businesses –  and as it is their business to have as much information as possible for their consumers – they themselves actually provide a fair amount of information online about those shops and companies who have chosen not to focus any of their marketing efforts in the internet.

Small shops and businesses should probably wise-up to the potential that the internet has to offer. They don’t need to spend thousands on fancy websites with online ordering facilities, but they do need to show willing and provide their loyal and new customers with information key to their decision making processes. The small shops and businesses must connect online before the bigger powerhouse companies steal their customers away simply because they can provide an answer to a question faster.