Just a decade ago, the number of small businesses doing business from a website was comparatively small. Now, that same segment of business is the largest of all business categories entering the Internet as a source of revenue and new business. Only a decade ago, the most used origin for new business was one of the numerous telephone books that are placed at our doors on a regular basis. However today, numerous businesses that once relied on people picking up a yellow page phone directory are giving up that monthly advertising expense for the numerous local free business website directories that can be found online.

“If our phone is not ringing, we get uneasy around here”, said Kathie whose business produces San Antonio T Shirts along with other promotional items for local businesses. “As a business to business operation, our customers are emphatically Internet savvy and look online and comparison shop online before making a purchase. Without our business website and our visibility on the Internet locally, we would not be in business today.”

The competition for such business is very strong in San Antonio. Utilizing a website and local online searches to grow such a business is needed to the growth and profitability of not Only Kathie’s business but the businesses she vies with as well.

James, owner of a moving company in Dallas has relied on his website to provide new business for over five years. “Without the Internet and the ability to interact with new clients online, my business would be drastically different. The high cost of the telephone directories made advertising in them a waste of money and time. Advertising online is much more affordable”, said James.

If you are looking online for appliance repair in Arizona, you will most likely find Tim in the search results. “We have worked very hard to be found online for searches affiliated to our business. My family depends on my business furnishing for them and so do I. The Internet makes growing my business much more effective over the high cost of local telephone directories.”

If you have a local business, being found online is vital for the growth of any business. Offline advertising is still useful for numerous businesses. However, not having a website or a local presence online in today’s aggressive environment can be the slow death of any business.