How Small Businesses Have Evolved Over the Years

“How has small businesses evolved over the years?” I hear many people ask.  Not long ago some people would have been unaware that a company or business was operating in certain parts of the country or a small secluded village or town.  Keeping track of the best and most expanding business firms in your own Country or globally was difficult.  With the expansion of the internet and the world being more connected, even small businesses remain in the limelight.

The internet now plays a huge role for most businesses on a global scale with the increase of online marketing tools and consumer participation.  Email marketing has been an important tool over the past years for small businesses, but today this usage has increased alongside the use of social media marketing which has exploded if compared with five years ago.

There is also an increase of businesses using, or using more automated business solutions ie inventory, payroll etc

Even most households and individuals are now directly connected to the internet in one shape or form; you really don’t need to own a PC anymore in order to get connected!

A survey was completed a few years ago and showed that it was harder to run a business then than 5 years ago…

• 55% said the economy has hit their business hard
• 49% said it’s harder to keep pace with technology
• 40% said there’s more direct competition

Only 12% of the respondents said that it was easier to run a business than it was five years ago, and of that group of small businesses, 89% citied online marketing tools that make it easier and less expensive to market their business.

The survey also showed an uptick in the importance of supporting local businesses with customers.

When asked whether they think being locally owned and operated is a major reason customers support their business today 51% of respondents said yes, up from the 42% who thought so five years ago.  Even a little private bakery that one wishes to open can sooner succeed with the right investment in marketing, service and product.

Businesses are now more connected and continue to expand their social circles both through online and offline networking which has increased and become more popular today with some small businesses sending representatives to networking functions weekly, fortnightly or more frequently.

Now, with just a few clicks your company or organization can go viral and with the click of a few photographs your work can be viewed and recognised.  With a simple press of the “Send” button, you can instantly get your message out there to a global audience and the opportunity to increase sales and expand your business.

Survey Source: Small Businesses: Then and Now Survey, Constant Contact, 2013

Picture courtesy of FlowCentric