small business benifit/business

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Been a while since I sent one of these....

 

Harrington: Web good for small businesses

 

By Carly Harrington <http://www.knoxnews.com/staff/carly-harrington/> (

Contact <http://www.knoxnews.com/staff/carly-harrington/contact/>)

Friday, July 20, 2007

 

 

 

In today's Web-based society, more consumers are turning to the Internet to

browse or buy goods and services.

 

That can be good news for small businesses.

 

Whether you're trying to generate leads or sales or simply want to let

people know you're out there, the Web can provide a level playing field

against bigger competitors.

 

" It's becoming more and more significant every day. People are pushed to the

Web, " said Terry Turner, owner of All Occasions Party Rentals.

 

Turner had a Web site created for his events company in 2002, but at the

time, it was a simple page with static information about the company. Today,

the Web site is heavy on the visuals with lots of pictures.

 

" It seems like every month, every week we're getting more responses on our

Web site, " he said.

 

According to a recent report conducted by Forrester Research for Shop.org.,

online sales for 2007 are expected to hit $259.1 billion, up 18 percent from

last year's $219.9 billion.

 

Meanwhile, Internet advertising revenues hit a record $16.9 billion in 2006,

according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau. Compare that to 1999, when

online ad revenues were $4.6 billion.

 

Darrin Thomas, Internet marketing consultant with the online design firm

WSI, said the Internet has changed everything.

 

" The Internet is now driving the economy worldwide and definitely in

America, " Thomas said. " It's the new market where we have to compete. "

 

Consumers, he said, are the driving force, because more people are doing

their research online before they buy.

 

And it's attracting users of all ages.

 

Jim Brogan of Brogan Financial is in the process of getting a Web site

created for his business, which targets those who are 65 years of age and

older.

 

For Brogan, who also hosts " Well-Preserved " with Jim Brogan Sundays on

WNOX-FM 100.3 radio, the senior population has been one of the last to

embrace the Internet.

 

But that's changing, and Brogan, who started his company in 2001, believes

it's time to have a presence online as Internet use becomes more prevalent

among seniors.

 

" It could be a tremendous opportunity if we leverage it, " Brogan said.

 

And that means you have to work at driving people to your site.

 

" Having a Web site is one thing, but you've got to promote it, " Turner said.

" You've got to market it. We have our Web site on our business cards,

vehicles, television and print advertising. It's a viable expense. You will

get a return on your investment. "

 

Business writer and The Bottom Line columnist Carly Harrington may be

reached at 865-342-6317 or *harringtonc* <harringtonc.

 

 

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Cheers!

Kathleen Petrides

The Woobey Queen

Http://www.woobeyworld.com