Internet Ignored by the Great Majority of Small Enterprises

 Internet Ignored by the Great Majority of Small Enterprises

While the internet continues to expand at a dizzying rate, most small businesses are watching helplessly. Despite the unprecedented growth of the internet, the majority of small business owners still have not contracted with a web hosting firm to establish an online presence for their organization.
Without a doubt, 2005 was the most expansive year in internet history. More websites were added to the internet in 2005 than in any other year, surpassing even the first boom in the year 2000, according to a Netcraft poll published in October 2005. The survey ran from January to September of 2005. By the end of the year 2000, 1.5 million sites had grown out.1

Estimates put the percentage of small businesses without a website at 65–65% in early 2005, despite the fact that the internet is expanding at a record rate.2 That is to say, almost two out of three companies do not have any kind of online presence. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. firms do not provide any way for interested parties to get in touch with them online!

Given the prevalence of the internet, why would not most small businesses have an online presence? There are numerous possible responses to this question, but we will focus on the following one here. A lot of company owners still do not get the full impact that the internet can and will have on their industry.

The company owners and executives of those companies are the intended readers of this series of pieces.

Meet Demand or Perish!

"Find a need and fill it" is still the most basic business principle. The consumers want you to cater to their needs. Consumer expectations of businesses are evolving in response to the internet, which is an indisputable reality. There are many facets to this topic that will be examined, but to illustrate the key concept, I will use an example from my own life.

I made the switch to internet banking a decade ago. Although I was nervous at first, I soon felt comfortable with the service because it was so novel. I have grown accustomed to it now. It has made paying bills much easier and faster. If my bank does not provide this service, I will not be using their services. Even though I have been a customer for 35 years, my standards for banking service have changed dramatically in just 10 months.

Second, I would prefer not to use paper checks anymore, so I am looking for a way to pay the companies I pay every month using internet banking. In the past several months, my expectations as a client have evolved to the point that, should my present provider fail to satisfy them, I will seek out a new one. My expectations as a consumer have been significantly impacted by the internet.

In order to avoid losing customers, businesses need to be adaptable and match these demands. Internet traffic is constant and never stops, much like the passage of time. The internet is revolutionizing not only our daily lives but also the way businesses operate.

These facts are old news. They will be considered unnecessary by many company owners. Two out of three firms still do not have a website. The basic idea is that these company owners have not taken into account the unique ways in which the internet is impacting their lives. Such matters have not yet reached my doorstep.

This piece, along with future ones, will aim to illuminate the ways in which the internet has, is, and will influence local businesses. The goal is to assist people who do not have a website with resources that show how the internet may help their business. On the flip side, there will be benefits to investigating the effects of avoiding internet use.

To better understand the current and future impact of the internet on their company, as well as the economy as a whole, business leaders should maintain an open mind. In the next pieces, we will look at some of the ways the internet can be useful. Consider the seriousness of this occurrence. Deep self-reflection is recommended. This cannot be disregarded; the stakes are too great.

1. A web server survey conducted in October 2005. http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2005/10/04/october 2005_web_server_survey.html

2 Accessed at: http://www.access-ecom.info/article.cfm?id=27&xid=MN

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