Barrier To Entry...
Mood:  not sure
Topic: Small Business Marketing
It has become readily apparent to me that various small to medium sized businesses, especially ones that are regionally focused, have yet to harness the power of the Internet as a tool for generating more sales and leads. For instance, in our area, we have a handful of companies that do a lot of advertising on local cable TV, magazines, newspapers, radio, yellow pages and billboards. The top three that come to mind are accident injury lawyers, furniture stores and chiropractors. I am guessing it is the same in all markets. I have spoken to the marketing directors at almost all of these companies and they all say that they have not found the Internet to be a viable source for delivering their message. I personally don't see how anyone who spends thousands of dollars to be listed in the yellow pages wouldn't find a Google Ad Words campaign just as effective if not better.

Now, if that is the mind set of the larger local advertisiers, what about the littler guys? Are these companies locked into thinking that they can't afford to keep up in the television, radio and billboard race and that if the big guys aren't doing it, it must not be worth their attention either? Or, is it merely a lack of education? Do smaller, local merchants just not realize that the Internet affords them one of the most cost-effective ways of reaching customers in real time?

Please tell me your thoughts about Small Business Internet Marketing...