I love the Saturday Night skits “Really!?! with Seth and Amy” – they’re funny yes, but they give a great perspective on situations. Gotta love that NY type of humor!
I just read in ClimbTheNet.com that a research by a private business forum showed “…that 1 in 5 businesses do not have a website and 18% said that they do not include Internet marketing or advertising in their marketing mix.”
REALLY?
I’m surprised, I mean in today’s economy, when it’s so important to carve out a niche for your business, the concept that a 5th of private companies in the USA are just ignoring the Internet. I’m sure (although I don’t know the amount) there was a percentage of businesses who ignored Radio when it first started. Another percentage ignored TV when it first started. Wonder where those companies are now?
The Internet Is Not Magic
I believe there are several reasons why companies (especially small companies) don’t take advantage of the Internet.
1) They think the price will be phenomenal. It’s true, most Internet marketing companies do charge a hefty fee and they’re justified in most of their charges. After all, Internet marketing is not magic, it’s very hard work. But there are companies out there (like Eckweb) that are extremely affordable. The payback is very much worth it!
2) They tried a website or blog or Facebook but after a little while, they gave up because they didn’t see any results. Well, again, Internet marketing is not magic, it’s hard work. No, it’s not rocket science either but anyone marketing, or attempting to market a website needs to know how search engines work, needs to have the proper tools (which cost money) and they need to have the creativity and energy to be on the constant lookout for new trends.
Just Because You Don’t Understand It – Doesn’t Mean You Should Avoid It
I admit, I don’t know much about cars. I know to put the key in, I know it needs gas, I know I need to get the oil changed and the tires checked and that’s pretty much it.
Extremely basic. But, just because I don’t really understand it, doesn’t mean I’m going to avoid driving one.
Businesses need to recognize and accept the fact that the majority of their target audience (unless their target audience is 90+ years of age) is on the Internet. Did you know that…
1) 70% of consumers go online first for local business information.
2) 69% of consumers are more likely to use a local business if it has information available on a social media site.
3) 78% of consumers want special offers, promotions and information (via the internet).
4) 74% value regular posts about products
5) 1 out of 6 searchers are dissatisfied with their ability to find reliable information (this tells me that the lack of attention businesses pay to their websites results in lost sales).
Above info from smallbiztrends
Stop Waiting – Start Acting
You know that story about the guy sitting on the roof of his house during a flood praying to God to rescue him. A boat comes to rescue him and he declines, saying that God will save him. A while later another boat comes by but the man again declined saying God would save him. Finally, a helicopter came and the man again declined, saying God will save him. After he drowned he arrived at heaven and said, “God, I though you were going to save me.” God said, “I sent you 2 boats and a helicopter, what more did you expect?”
The lesson is learn to recognize an opportunity. The Internet is an amazing opportunity – don’t miss it.