We are all hearing, and might I add, sick of hearing about how bad this country’s economy is along with the prophesising DOOM & GLOOM merchants telling us that basically the sun is not going to shine anymore!! But it does not mean that you as a business owner cannot do your own bit for yourself and make your own sunshine.
The Internet as you will see below is becoming massive and let’s face it - if you are looking for something you Google it!! Or even Yahooooooo!
Search Engine Land’s recent "Local Consumer Review Survey" looked at the way consumer behaviour has changed since 2010. Interestingly, one of the key findings was that most people surveyed were just as likely to turn to the internet, as they were to ask for personal recommendations about local businesses. For business owners, this is a good indication that now more than ever, it’s important to have a strong online presence. We’ve highlighted a few key takeaways from the survey below:-
1. “There has been a significant jump in the number of consumers using the Internet to find local businesses, and the regularity of their ‘searches’ has also increased.” In fact, only 15% of consumers surveyed have not used the internet to find a local business in the past 12 months. This number is down from 21% in 2010.
2. The majority of consumers surveyed use online reviews to make spending decisions. 27% of consumers are regularly reading online reviews, while another 49% are occasional readers.
3. “Appreciation and value of online reviews is growing as more consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.” According to the survey, 72% of consumers give the same weight to online reviews as they do to personal recommendations.
Excerpts from Yelp.com
So as you can see, the solution is very simple, if you have a business get it onto the net!!
A website costs very little to set up and run and they are easy to build and edit. I have been working on my website (very cheap!) and have managed to get my business on the first page of Google etc. at very little cost, with top page listings and no ads. Admittedly you need to have the time to carry out this task but it’s your business so make the time!!
The net is the future to our business success!!
If anyone reading this and would like some simple pointers and ideas in order to help get online then please contact me, Mark Stradling, owner of Mark’s Garden Services, the No.1 Garden Service Company in Bishop’s Stortford.
