How Has the Internet Affected Small Businesses?

In 1995, Netscape and Explorer provided browsers that enabled people to start using the Internet for commerce. Many small businesses and dot.coms appeared on the scene, some of which are long gone. However, the Internet has evolved over the years and provides many advantages for today's small businesses.

Significance

The Internet has enabled small businesses a greater ability to reach customers all over the nation and the world. It better enables them to compete with larger businesses.

Effects

The Internet and sophisticated website technology provides small businesses with more prestige and credibility, which opens opportunities that would otherwise not be available.

Benefits

The Internet has enabled small businesses the opportunity to advertise more cost effectively than do more traditional advertising media like television and magazines. Small companies often use email marketing and search engines such as Google to promote their products and services, according to Mybusinessmag.com: How The Internet Has Changed Small Business Forever.

Function

Internet technology has enabled small businesses to work and interact with customers and other coworkers off site. Workers can access emails and even reports and projects from afar, which can increase productivity.

Warning

With Internet connections, small businesses must now protect themselves with firewall, virus and spyware technology, which can potentially hinder productively.

References

• My Business Mag: How The Internet Has Changed Small Business Forever
• All Business: How the Internet has Changed Small Business Forever
• Management Uplink: Off-Site Consulting Services