Small business owners say Web sites, search engine key words, and community relations activities are the top three business drivers, according to Interland’s annual "Business Barometer" survey. The surge has become main stream. Kim T. Gordon, president of National Marketing Federation, Inc., says, "From using complex e-commerce Web sites to ongoing email communications with customers and partners, use of the Internet is vital to small business success."
The group of small business owners surveyed was asked to select marketing tools critical in driving business. Respondents prioritized their responses as follows:
69% Web sites
36% search engine keywords
35% community relations
24% email marketing
22% direct mail
When asked how important various online capabilities would be to their business in the coming year:
IMPORTANT ONLINE CAPABILITIES FOR NEXT YEAR
67% enabling online interactivity
62% ability to execute online promotions
55% conducting online transactions
Small business owners with sites not yet e-commerce enabled are seeking outlets leveraging existing commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon.com.Resource: Interland is a provider of online services; online user group likely to be over represented in survey results
Fred Harteis - President of Biznet Productions inc.
