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Here are some considerations for small businesses who are still unsure as to why it is important to establish a strong online presence:

“ Social media – blogs, social networks,
consumer-created video – is a longterm
trend that is changing how brands
must communicate with their customers.
Marketers and PR professionals must
change their business practices from
creating compelling communications, to
having a bi-directional conversation with
consumers and becoming great listeners
and active participants in the word-of-mouth
brand dialogues.” Andrew Bernstein, President TNS Cymfony

“ So few decisions are
made without any input
from online research, from
choosing a new home or a
school for our children – the
input of the internet into the
decision making process
makes it one of the most
important influencers in our
life choices.”
Barry Lemmon, Global Head of
Retail & Shopper Insights, TNS

Indeed, as 8 out of 10 people say,
they use the internet as a source
of information and more than 3 in
5 specifically research a product
or service prior to purchasing.

Looking in more detail at particular
purchases, (both online and offline) and
the relative contribution of the internet
to the process we see that:
Of those who had bought a holiday gift in
the previous 4 weeks, 86% thought
the internet played a crucial or
important role in the process.
• More than three quarters of those
who had bought a PC stated the
internet was similarly important. Only
7% said they didn’t use the internet
at all in the process.
• The Chinese continue to stand out
in their internet use and behaviour.
No less than 99% of our Chinese
respondents said the internet played
a role in their purchase of a PC
and 98% a role in the purchase of
a mobile phone. In general, they
appear to utilise the internet in their
purchases more than any other
nation that we surveyed.

Source: Digital World/Digital Life by TNS Global

TNS is a global market information and insight group.

It seems that I am a glass half full type of person because despite the economic doom and gloom, I am looking for opportunity.

I see a huge opportunity for small businesses to develop strong online presences.  Why?  Because so much of the competition is cutting back and going into survival mode and they are not even thinking of getting on line and building a presence. And since ever greater numbers of people are going on line to search for local merchants, it only makes sense to me that those who do get online (and do it right) will be in a position to dominate the competition.

Here is what Clark Howard, a U.S. talk show host said on CNN:  “If you are a would-be entrepreneur, there is never a better time to start your business than right now…The opportunity is so great because anything you want to do now is cheaper.  Labor is widely available because of lay-offs, very top quality people are available…It’s much cheaper to start a business now”.

It is even cheaper to start a business online…little overhead and SEO money spent correctly will be an investment into your business (compared to off line advertising that gets tossed in the recycle bin).

So, take action..but take the right action.  Don’t waste your time, energy or money reinventing the wheel when there are plenty of resources to do it right and do it in a timely fashion.

quote taken from “The Net Effect”

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