Sink or Swim: Yes, your small brick-and-mortar business really does need a good Web site

In my offline business life (what little I have of one), I still encounter huge numbers of small business owners who don't have a Web site, or whose Web site consists of "brochureware"—3-5 static pages and some contact information. As Shannon Scully reports in "Sink or Swim", in the latest MyBUSINESS Magazine, many small business owners are still skeptical.

“We don’t need a Web site,” you say. “All of our customers are local. And besides, they wouldn’t use an e-commerce site if we had one.” If that’s your opinion, it’s probably time to rethink it.

Even small businesses who previously thought all their business was local, and that local people wouldn't do local business over the Internet, are now adjusting to the dramatic shift to online commerce by consumers. 2003 online holiday shopping was up almost 30% over previous years, and consumers weren't just buying from the mega-sites.

In the article, Scully takes a look at four well-established, conventional local businesses: a specialty hardware store, a cheesecake shop, a seed shop, and a small pharmacy. Each has over 50 years successful experience in their local business. Learn why and how they made the move into e-commerce, and the impact it has had on their business.

My favorite quote comes from the pharmacy owner:

“If I can’t find you on my browser, you don’t exist.”

There are more and more customers with that attitude these days. You can rant and rail against it, or you can get with the program and do business with your customers where they want to do business—online!

Read the full article, "Sink or Swim", at MyBUSINESS Magazine